Mystery of God Concept in Deepening Relationship
The concept of the "mystery of God" is deeply rooted in biblical teachings and has been a subject of theological exploration across various Christian traditions. At its core, this concept revolves around the idea of a divine truth or secret that was previously hidden but has now been revealed through Christ.
In the New Testament, the term "mystery" is used to describe the union between Christ and the Church, as seen in Ephesians 5:32, where it is written, "This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church" [2]. Similarly, Colossians 2:2 mentions "the mystery of God, namely Christ" [1]. These passages underscore the central role of Christ in understanding the mystery of God.
The biblical concept of mystery is not limited to the relationship between Christ and the Church. It encompasses a broader range of divine truths, including the calling of the Gentiles into the Christian Church (Ephesians 1:9, 10; 3:8-11; Colossians 1:25-27) and the resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:51) [3]. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, a mystery refers to "a truth undiscoverable except by revelation, long hid, now made manifest" [3].
The understanding of the mystery of God is considered a gift from God, as noted in the Tyndale House commentary on Matthew 13:51, which states that "the ability to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom is a gift from God" [6]. This gift is associated with the revelation of God's will regarding Christ, as seen in Ephesians 1:8-10, where it is written that "wisdom and understanding come from the revelation of God's mysterious will regarding Christ" [9].
Different Christian traditions have interpreted the concept of the mystery of God in various ways. The Eastern Orthodox tradition, as represented by John Chrysostom, views the mystery of God as being closely tied to the union between Christ and the Church. Chrysostom notes that the Apostle Paul calls this union a "great mystery" because it represents a profound and wonderful truth [5].
In Protestant academic circles, the mystery of God is often understood as a divine truth that was previously hidden but has now been revealed through Christ. The Tyndale House commentary on Ephesians 5:32 describes the unity between Christ and the Church as a "great mystery" that is illustrated by the unity between husband and wife [10].
The Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill, emphasizes the idea that the deep things of God are wrapped up in darkness and can only be known through revelation. Gill notes that God "discovereth deep things out of darkness" and that the Spirit of God is necessary to reveal these deep things [8].
The concept of the mystery of God is closely tied to the idea of deepening one's relationship with God. As seen in the Tyndale House commentary on Amos 3:2, the word "know" in the biblical context often indicates a personal and experiential knowledge that goes beyond mere intellectual awareness [7]. This understanding is echoed in Hitchcock's Bible Names, where the name "Jediel" is interpreted as "the knowledge, or renewing, of God" [4].
The mystery of God remains a profound and complex concept that has been explored by various Christian traditions. At its core, it represents a divine truth that is revealed through Christ and is closely tied to the idea of deepening one's relationship with God. As the biblical and theological sources demonstrate, this concept continues to be a rich and multifaceted aspect of Christian theology. The understanding of this mystery is not static; it evolves as one's relationship with God deepens, revealing more of God's nature and plan.
Sources
- Colossians “Colossians 2:2 (BSB) — that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ,”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 5:32 (BSB) — This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Mystery — The calling of the Gentiles into the Christian Church, so designated (Eph. 1:9, 10; 3:8-11; Col. 1:25-27); a truth undiscoverable except by revelation, long hid, now made manifest. The resurrection of the dead (1 Cor. 15:51), and other doctrines which need to be explained but which cannot be fully understood by finite intelligence (Matt. 13:11; Rom. 11:25; 1 Cor. 13:2); the union between Christ and his people symbolized by the marriage union (Eph. 5:31, 32; comp. 6:19); the seven stars and the seven candlesticks (Rev. 1:20); and the woman clothed in scarlet”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Jediel — the knowledge, or renewing, of God”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: of Christ’s body. And hence he further adds, Ver. 32 . “This is great mystery: but I speak in regard of Christ and of the Church.” 428 428 [This seems a distinct statement on the part of the Apostle, that the preceding words refer not to actual marriage of man and woman, but to the nuptial union of Christ and the Church. So Meyer. But Dr. Riddle, in the Popular Commentary, says this “mystical interpretation is unsafe.”—G.A.] Why does he call it a great mystery? That it was something great and wonderful, the blessed Moses, or rath”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 13:51: 13:51 The ability to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom is a gift from God (13:10-17, 23).”
- Amos (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Amos 3:2: 3:2 The word translated been intimate indicates personal and experiential knowledge that often extends beyond mere intellectual awareness. It can indicate formal recognition and acknowledgment (Exod 1:8; 5:2), personal experience (Gen 2:17), or sexual relations (Gen 4:1). This word is frequently used of God’s relationship with Israel (Hos 5:3) and of Israel’s ideal relationship with God (Hos 2:20). Because of Israel’s privileged status, God would hold them accountable for all their sins, not just some of them. God holds people accountable in terms of what has been gi”
- Job (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Job 12:21: He discovereth deep things out of darkness,.... The deep things of God, his own deep things which lie in his heart, wrapped up in darkness impenetrable to creatures, and which could never be known unless he had discovered them; such as the thoughts of his heart, which are very deep, Psa 92:5; the deep things of God, which the Spirit of God only knows, searches, and reveals, Co1 2:10; even his thoughts of peace, and good things for his people, which are many and precious, are known to himself, and made known to them, or otherwise must have remained in darkness, and out o”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 1:8: 1:8-10 Wisdom and understanding come from the revelation of God’s mysterious will regarding Christ. In Paul’s writings, mysterious will (traditionally mystery) often refers to a divine truth formerly hidden but now revealed in the Good News (see 3:9). Here it refers to how God will bring everything together under the authority of Christ, so that he may be universally recognized and respected as Lord (see Phil 2:9-11; Col 1:16-20, 26-27; 2:2, 19; 4:3). Ephesians focuses specifically on the inclusion of Gentiles as well as Jews in God’s redeemed people (see Eph 3:”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 5:32: 5:32 it is an illustration: Both the unity of husband and wife and the unity of Christ and the church are a great mystery (see study note on 1:8-10).”