Mystical Sense of Scripture in New Testament Writings

The New Testament frequently refers to "mystery" not as something incomprehensible, but as a truth previously hidden and now revealed through divine revelation ^{[2, 8]}. This concept is closely tied to the understanding of Scripture itself, which is regarded as divinely inspired and containing God's revealed will ^{[1, 12]}.

The term "mystery" in the New Testament often relates to the inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian Church, a truth previously undiscoverable without revelation (Ephesians 1:9-10; 3:8-11; Colossians 1:25-27) ^[2]. Other doctrines, such as the resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:51) and the union between Christ and his people (Ephesians 5:31-32), are also described as mysteries ^{[2, 6]}. The apostle Paul explicitly states that his insight into "the mystery of Christ" can be understood by others through his writings (Ephesians 3:4) ^[3]. This suggests that while these truths are divinely revealed, they are not inherently unintelligible to human understanding once disclosed.

The inspiration of Scripture is central to this understanding. The Holy Spirit is said to have inspired all Scripture, both Old and New Testaments, making them the "breath of God" ^{[4, 12]}. This inspiration serves to reveal future events, the mysteries of God, and to empower and direct ministers ^[4]. The Old Testament prophets, for instance, spoke and wrote under the influence of the Spirit of God, foretelling aspects of the gospel that would later be fully revealed ^{[7, 10]}. The "Scripture" in the New Testament invariably refers to the Old Testament, which was considered a definite collection of sacred books given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:15-16; John 20:9; Galatians 3:22; 2 Peter 1:20) ^[1].

The "mystical sense" of Scripture, in this context, refers to the deeper, divinely intended meanings that are unveiled through revelation, particularly concerning Christ and the kingdom of heaven ^[8]. These are not secret religious rites, but truths that were "darkly announced under the ancient economy" and "darkly understood" until fully published under the Gospel ^[8]. The Old Testament, though written long before Christ, contains "wonderful" testimonies that reveal God's works, providence, and miracles, and these are understood to point towards the greater revelation in Christ ^[9].

For example, the Dead Sea Scrolls provide insight into pre-Christian Jewish interpretations, showing how texts like Psalm 82:1 were understood eschatologically, identifying Melchizedek with the Elohim and foreshadowing Christological uses in Hebrews 7 ^[5]. This demonstrates a pre-existing tradition of seeking deeper, often messianic, meanings within the sacred texts.

The prophets of the Old Testament "inquired" and "searched" into the salvation that would be revealed, indicating that even they did not fully grasp the extent of the mysteries they were foretelling ^[7]. This suggests a progressive revelation, where later generations, particularly those in the New Testament era, received a fuller understanding of these divine mysteries ^[7]. The New Testament authors often drew upon Old Testament passages, sometimes incorporating their language, to explain these newly revealed truths, demonstrating a continuity and deeper fulfillment of earlier prophecies ^[11].

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Scripture — Invariably in the New Testament denotes that definite collection of sacred books, regarded as given by inspiration of God, which we usually call the Old Testament (2 Tim. 3:15, 16; John 20:9; Gal. 3:22; 2 Pet. 1:20). It was God's purpose thus to perpetuate his revealed will. From time to time he raised up men to commit to writing in an infallible record the revelation he gave. The "Scripture," or collection of sacred writings, was thus enlarged from time to time as God saw necessary. We have now a completed "Scripture," consisting of the Old and New Testa”
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”
Ephesians “Ephesians 3:4 (LEB) — so that you may be able when you read to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Inspiration of the Holy Spirit, The — Foretold -- Joe 2:28; Ac 2:16-18. All Scripture given by -- 2Sa 23:2; 2Ti 3:16; 2Pe 1:21. Design of To reveal future events. -- Ac 1:16; 28:25; 1Pe 1:11. To reveal the mysteries of God. -- Am 3:7; 1Co 2:10. To give power to ministers. -- Mic 3:8; Ac 1:8. To direct ministers. -- Eze 3:24-27; Ac 11:12; 13:2. To control ministers. -- Ac 16:6. To testify against sin. -- 2Ki 17:13; Ne 9:30; Mic 3:8; Joh 16:8,9. Modes of Various. -- Heb 1:1. By secret impulse. -- Jdj 13:25; 2Pe 1:21. By a voice. -- Isa 6:8; Ac 8:29; Re 1:10. By visions”
Dead Sea Scrolls “Pesharim and Other Notable Texts (2nd-1st century BCE), section 8: Judah...until the Messiah of Righteousness comes, the Branch of David") -- one of the clearest messianic readings of this verse in pre-Christian Jewish literature. 11Q13 (Melchizedek): An eschatological text that presents Melchizedek as a heavenly, angelic figure who will execute divine judgment at the end of the tenth jubilee. Melchizedek is identified with the Elohim of Psalm 82:1 and is said to "atone for all the sons of light." This text provides essential background for the Christological use of Melchizedek in Hebrews 7. 4”
Ephesians “This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and of the assembly. -- Ephesians 5:32”
1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 1:10: The magnitude of this "salvation" is proved by the earnestness with which "prophets" and even "angels" searched into it. Even from the beginning of the world this salvation has been testified to by the Holy Spirit. prophets--Though there is no Greek article, yet English Version is right, "the prophets" generally (including all the Old Testament inspired authors), as "the angels" similarly refer to them in general. inquired--perseveringly: so the Greek. Much more is manifested to us than by diligent inquiry and search the prophets attained. Still i”
Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 13:11: He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven--The word "mysteries" in Scripture is not used in its classical sense--of religious secrets, nor yet of things incomprehensible, or in their own nature difficult to be understood--but in the sense of things of purely divine revelation, and, usually, things darkly announced under the ancient economy, and during all that period darkly understood, but fully published under the Gospel (Co1 2:6-10; Eph 3:3-6, Eph 3:8-9). "The mysteries of the kingdo”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:125: PE.--The Seventeenth Part. PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful,.... The Scriptures, which testify of God, his mind and will, are wonderful both with respect to the author of them, the things contained in them, and the use and advantage of them. They give an account of the wonderful works of creation; of their author and matter; of the manner, order, and time of their being wrought: they relate many wonderful events of Providence, both in a way of mercy and judgment; they declare several surprising miracles, wrought by Moses and others, and exhibit many marvellous t”
2 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Peter 1:19: In these words the apostle lays down another argument to prove the truth and reality of the gospel, and intimates that this second proof is more strong and convincing than the former, and more unanswerably makes out that the doctrine of the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is not a mere fable or cunning contrivance of men, but the wise and wonderful counsel of the holy and gracious God. For this is foretold by the prophets and penmen of the Old Testament, who spoke and wrote under the influence and according to the direction of the Spirit of God. Here no”
Jonah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jonah 2:2: His prayer is partly descriptive and precatory, partly eucharistical. Jonah incorporates with his own language inspired utterances familiar to the Church long before in , ; in , ; in , ; in , ; in , ; ; in , ; in , , and . Jonah, an inspired man, thus attests both the antiquity and inspiration of the Psalms. It marks the spirit of faith, that Jonah identifies himself with the saints of old, appropriating their experiences as recorded in the Word of God (). Affliction opens up the mine of Scripture, before seen only on the surface. out of the belly of h”
2 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Timothy 3:15: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,.... That is, all holy Scripture; for of that only the apostle is speaking; and he means the whole of it; not only the books of the Old Testament, but of the New, the greatest part of which was now written; for this second epistle to Timothy is by some thought to be the last of Paul's epistles; and this also will hold good of what was to be written; for all is inspired by God, or breathed by him: the Scriptures are the breath of God, the word of God and not men; they are "written by the Spirit", as the Syriac version ren”

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