What Are the Mysteries Of God in Romans 16:25-26 and 1 Corinthians 4:1?
Let’s read those verses. Romans 16:25-26 says, “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 now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.” 1 Corinthians 4:1, “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the MYSTERIES OF GOD.”
These ‘mysteries of God’ are precious hidden things, which were not revealed in the Old Testament. However, they are now “made known to all nations for the obedience of faith. The Apostle Paul would go on to say in Colossians 1:25-26, “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints.”
There are several ‘mysteries’ spoken of in the New Testament writings. A few of them are:
- Ephesians 3:3-4, “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)”
- Colossians 4:3, “Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST, for which I am also in bonds.”
- Ephesians 5:31-32, “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is A GREAT MYSTERY: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”
We see the New Testament speaks of several different mysteries, but there is one mystery that stands out in greatness of importance. It is revealed to us by the apostle Paul, and contains the details of God’s great plan of redemption. Of course, redemption in general is a theme that runs throughout the whole Bible. That salvation would be offered to the Gentiles was not a mystery. We read in Isaiah 42:6, “I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.” The fact that the Lord Jesus would have to suffer terribly for us was not a mystery. Isaiah 53:5 says, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”What was a mystery is this oneness we have with the Lord and with other believers when we have Christ as our savior. This union, this oneness with Christ is known by several names. It is the “Church of God” (Acts 20:28). It is the “Body of Christ”. (1 Corinthians 12:27). It is the “House of God” (1 Timothy 3:15). The Church is one, and has one head. We read in Ephesians 5:23, “Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” While there are ‘local representations’ of the church in every city, there is only ONE CHURCH, ONE BODY. This organism (the Church is NOT an organization) has ONE HEAD…Christ Himself. We miss so much precious truth when we limit our thinking and consider the Church as a building. IT IS NOT A BUILDING. It is an organism which contains every single believer, no matter their association (or lack of association). We often hear the phrase: Join the Church of your choice! Terrible, terrible advice! If you are saved, you are already in the Church and joined with Christ. Acts 2:47 tells us, “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” You can’t join the true church. No, the Lord ADDS each one as they put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Wonderful mystery now graciously made known to us through God’s Word. (244.2)