The Mystery. Colossians 1:26. In some religions, a mystery is a secret teaching reserved for a select few who are part of an inner circle, believing they hold special rights that most people don’t have. There may be areas of their church building that not everyone can access because there are sacred rites performed there that everyday church members are not permitted to see or participate in. In this verse, Paul uses the word “mystery” because the ancient Greeks believed they possessed greater and special knowledge about religious matters. However, Paul describes it as the knowledge “hidden from ages and generations” that is now revealed to all. In this context, the mystery is that Christ lives in Gentile believers just as He does in Jewish believers.
So, a mystery in the Bible is not some enchanting story or hidden religious formula that provides men with entertainment or knowledge. It refers to the truth in the Word of God that God once kept hidden from the eyes of natural man to prevent him from becoming proud. It gives words to a subject that, although previously unknown, now makes understandable some of the accomplishments achieved when Christ suffered on the cross to bring us to God. The Spirit of God can help our new life reveal these truths to our souls and give us the knowledge and faith needed to share His truth with others.
The good news of salvation by grace offered to “whosoever believes in Him” was not known until the Lord Jesus Christ came and clearly taught that truth. The Gospel of John highlights this more than the other Gospels. The mystery, or knowledge revealed, is a divine truth that has been openly proclaimed even though it was once hidden. Many people today do not understand this because it doesn’t depend on people or require them to do anything to earn salvation. Those who believe the Gospel by faith and trust the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior are accepted by God.
The Gospel is a revealed mystery. We are not saved or forgiven of our sins by works. God's grace is available to those convicted of sin and seeking relief from the guilt it causes. God accepts repentant sinners through the Spirit and the Word when they believe in Christ. This offer is not limited to a specific nation or creed but is open to every culture and tribe. Anyone who responds to the Spirit’s calling to the extent of their understanding will find that the Lord will save them and give them new life.
It was difficult for those who were Jews to accept the fact that God would choose even heathen Gentiles to be part of the kingdom of priests who could truly worship Him. Gentiles, also whom God saves, have a new nature that makes them children of God through faith in Christ—teaching that the Church is Christ's body was hidden in the past. The Jewish prophets did not speak of this, where their place in history was cast. This great truth unfolded as the New Testament was written—Christ chose a Bride, the church, to be with Him forever.
In Old Testament times, people saw Gospel truth in the sacrifices of the Tabernacle and Temple worship. These pointed to what Christ would do as “The Lamb of God” who would take away the world's sin. Many believed in Him by faith, even though it was like looking through smoked glass. We read about some of them in Hebrews 11. When Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, some believed in Him, but most did not, even though they witnessed His actions and heard His teachings.
The Lord Jesus Christ, being found in fashion as a man, is like an “open secret” instead of a hidden mystery. This mystery reveals that all believers in Christ are members of His body, the church, and the bride of Christ. That was a new revelation. The revelation of the mystery of Christ is cause for rejoicing. No one is given a greater advantage over others because of who they are or what religion they might have. And no one is disadvantaged because of their background or lack of privileges. The Gospel goes out "unto all," and it is "upon all them that believe." Every person God saves, no matter who they are now or were in the past, is a part of the church, which is the body of Christ.
Paul presented Christ to the Colossians as the supreme sacrifice and the preeminent One in reconciliation because He died for them. He now presents Christ to them in relation to his ministry of the Gospel and the unfolded mystery of Jews and Gentiles being one in the body. He rejoiced in his sufferings because it was such a privilege to preach the Gospel to the unconverted and teach the truth of the church to those God saved.