The Fellowship of the Mystery
Ephesians 3:9, “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.”
⸻
Introduction: A Forgotten Truth
One of the most neglected truths in all of Christianity is the fellowship of the mystery. Churches preach Jesus as Savior, they repeat His words in red, they echo the prophets of old, yet they seldom declare what Paul called my gospel and the mystery hid from ages. Ephesians 3:9 stands as a charge to every believer in this dispensation, to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery. This is not an optional side study, it is the very calling of the Body of Christ today. The mystery is God’s secret purpose, hidden from the prophets, unrevealed in the earthly ministry of Christ, but made known to Paul for us Gentiles. Without this truth, Christianity collapses into covenant promises that do not belong to us, kingdom gospels not given to us, and ritual religion that cannot perfect us.
⸻
What is the Fellowship of the Mystery?
The fellowship refers to a shared participation, a joint partnership in what God is doing now. The mystery is the hidden wisdom of God now revealed through Paul, 1 Corinthians 2:7 to 8. It concerns the formation of a new creature, the Body of Christ, made up of Jew and Gentile without distinction, Ephesians 2:14 to 16. This fellowship is not built on earthly covenants, law keeping, or Israel’s kingdom promises, but upon the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery, Romans 16:25.
To see the fellowship of the mystery is to recognize that God has suspended His dealings with Israel as a nation, Romans 11:25, and is now forming a spiritual body seated in heavenly places, Ephesians 2:6. This body is not Israel, it is not the Bride, it is not a continuation of prophecy. It is something brand new, the one new man, Ephesians 2:15. The fellowship is shared by all who trust the gospel of grace, that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, 1 Corinthians 15:3 to 4.
⸻
Why Was It Hid?
Paul makes it clear that this mystery was hid in God, Ephesians 3:9, kept secret since the world began, Romans 16:25, and hid from ages and from generations, Colossians 1:26. The Old Testament prophets never spoke of the Body of Christ. The Lord Jesus did not reveal it in His earthly ministry. Even Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost at Pentecost, preached only what was spoken by the prophets since the world began, Acts 3:21.
If Abraham, Moses, David, or Isaiah knew about the Body of Christ, Paul could not rightly call it a mystery. It was hidden until revealed to him. God purposely kept it secret so that His wisdom would be revealed in due time, demonstrating His manifold grace and removing any ground for human boasting, Ephesians 3:10 and Titus 1:2 to 3.
⸻
What Does the Fellowship Involve?
1. Spiritual Unity. Believers today are joined into one body, regardless of nationality, race, or religious background. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, 1 Corinthians 12:13.
2. Heavenly Position. Unlike Israel’s earthly hope, the Body of Christ is seated with Christ in heavenly places, Ephesians 2:6.
3. No Covenants, Pure Grace. We are not under Israel’s new covenant. We are under grace, Romans 6:14. Our fellowship is not maintained by law, ritual, or works, but by the free gift of God’s righteousness, Romans 5:17.
4. A Shared Purpose. The Body of Christ exists to make known the manifold wisdom of God to heavenly powers, Ephesians 3:10. Your life, your testimony, and your doctrine become a witness of God’s secret purpose now revealed.
⸻
Why Does It Matter?
If you miss the fellowship of the mystery, you will confuse Israel’s program with the Body of Christ. This is why so many steal Israel’s promises, apply the Sermon on the Mount to the Body, or expect Pentecostal miracles that belonged to another dispensation. Without right division, Christianity loses its message of grace and reverts to works, law, and confusion.
When Paul speaks of fellowship, he means that every believer has a part in this mystery. It is not reserved for scholars or pastors. Ordinary saints are called to understand it, to live in it, and to make it known. Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things, 2 Timothy 2:7.
⸻
Conclusion: Our Charge Today
The fellowship of the mystery is not a side issue. It is the commission of the Body of Christ in this present dispensation. We are not sent to build an earthly kingdom or to claim Israel’s promises. We are sent to make known a heavenly purpose revealed to Paul, to preach the gospel of grace, and to declare the new creature of which we are part.
Ephesians 3:9 is your verse, your calling, and your mission. And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery. Until the Lord comes for His Body, this is our stewardship. If we fail to preach it, men remain blind, mixing law with grace, Israel with the Body, and prophecy with mystery. When we make it known, God’s manifold wisdom is displayed to heaven and earth, and the riches of His grace are magnified in Christ Jesus.
Hold this truth in clarity and charity. Refuse to trade heavenly position for earthly promises. Refuse to confuse Paul’s gospel with Israel’s covenants. Open the Scriptures that reveal the mystery, Romans through Philemon, and help others see the fellowship you now share. The Body of Christ stands as the living witness of God’s hidden purpose now revealed, and your faithful stand makes it visible to all who will hear.