Mystery of the Gospel
Mystery of the Gospel. To what is Paul referring when he refers to the gospel mystery? When Jesus came as the God-man, He did not usher in a new political kingdom as the Jews expected from their Messiah.
19 And for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Ephesians 6:19-20, NKJV
Mystery of the Gospel
As we come to the end of the section from Ephesians 6 on the armor of God, Paul asks for boldness that he may make known the gospel mystery. Currently, a prisoner (ambassador in chains), Paul does not use his circumstances as an excuse but sees the need to continually proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles.
To what is Paul referring when he is referring to the gospel mystery? When Jesus came as the God-man, He did not usher in a new political kingdom as the Jews expected from their Messiah. Rather, He introduced Himself as the suffering Savior. This concept was totally foreign to the Jews and Gentiles alike, thus it was called a mystery.
Though the gospel has spread throughout the entire world, it still remains a mystery to most people. Why is that? Satan has so blinded the eyes of people that they do not even see their need of a Savior, and they certainly do not believe that they are sinners who are lost before a holy and righteous God.
Thus, our job is much the same as that of the Apostle Paul. Let us, like Paul, pray for boldness that we may make known to the lost the mystery of the gospel. What, exactly, is this gospel that we need to make known to the people of this world? There are many places in the Bible that answer this question. One of my favorites is known as "The Romans Road." As we follow these texts in the book of Romans, the complete gospel is opened before us. (All Scriptures are from the New King James Version of the Bible.)
Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 10:9 & 10 - That if you confess with you mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:13 - For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 5:1 - Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:1 - There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:38 & 39 - For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
And that, dear friends, is the mystery of the gospel. Go with boldness, and proclaim this gospel to your families, friends, and acquaintances.
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