Parables of Jesus
The Mystery?
“The mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:26-27)
The term “mystery” in the New Testament refers to doctrinal truth hidden from mankind prior to Christ’s ministry but subsequently revealed. The Apostle Paul uses the term to describe many developments in God’s plan including the Gospel of Jesus Christ, formation of the church as the body of Christ and the inclusion of gentiles under grace.
And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
The Mystery Revealed
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:
This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;