From reading Ephesians 3:1, 4:1, and 6:20 we see that the Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the saints in Ephesus from a prison cell.  This letter, along with Paul’s letter to the Colossians was delivered by Paul’s faithful fellow-servant, Tychicus.  (Ephesians 6:21, Colossians 4:7)

This book is one that is full of the highest revelations to us from the Lord.

The book of Ephesians speaks of several ‘mysteries’ that are revealed to us.  By ‘mystery’ I meat that this book contains wonderful truths that had never been revealed before and are now being shown to us by the Lord through the Apostle Paul.  These mysteries are:

1. THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S WILL – Ephesians 1:9-10 speaks of this.  “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.”
2. THE MYSTERY OF THE CHRIST – Ephesians 3:3-4 says, “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).”  I say ‘the Christ’, because this mystery deals with Christ the head, and His body, which is made up of all believers.  It also includes the Gentiles being brought into this one body, even as the believing Jews.  Verse 6 says, “That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.”
3. THY MYSTERY OF CHRIST AND THE CHURCH – Chapters 4 and 5 deal with the unity of the body and its Head, who is Christ.  Paul uses the marriage relationship as an example of the believer’s relationship with Christ, his head.  Ephesians 5:32 says, “This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”
4. THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL – Ephesians 6:19 says, “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.”  Paul did not depend on his own natural abilities to present the Gospel.  Rather, he sought the Lord, asking Him to give him the proper words to speak as he opened his mouth.

Remember that Paul was in prison at this time.  His prayer was not for his deliverance, or for revenge on those who falsely imprisoned him; no, his prayer was that he might preach the Gospel with boldness and simplicity.  The ‘mystery of the Gospel’ shows that the complete story of salvation cannot be naturally understood.  It takes the revealing hand of God to open our eyes to see this wonderful truth of how the love of God caused Him to send His only begotten Son to sacrifice Himself for our sins, that through faith in Him, we might be saved.  As we read in 1 Timothy 3:16, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

There is so much more that could be said as an outline of this incredible book.  I encourage you to read it, and read it often.  Containing only six chapters, this book can easily be read in 20 minutes or less.  It contains so much rich truth.  I’ll end this meditation with one more precious thought from this book.  Ephesians 2:5-7 says, “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”  For those of us who know Christ as our savior, in God’s eyes, we are already in the glory, seated with Christ.  What a blessed truth.  May we all ponder and rejoice in this!  (191.8)