New International Versionwhich was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.
New Living TranslationGod did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.
English Standard Versionwhich was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
Berean Standard Biblewhich was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.
Berean Literal Biblewhich was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as now it has been revealed in the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets,
King James BibleWhich in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
New King James Versionwhich in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:
New American Standard Biblewhich in other generations was not made known to mankind, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
NASB 1995which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
NASB 1977which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
Legacy Standard Biblewhich in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it was now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit:
Amplified Biblewhich in other generations was not disclosed to mankind, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the [Holy] Spirit;
Christian Standard BibleThis was not made known to people in other generations as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:
Holman Christian Standard BibleThis was not made known to people in other generations as it is now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:
American Standard Versionwhich in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
Contemporary English VersionNo one knew about this mystery until God's Spirit told it to his holy apostles and prophets.
English Revised Versionwhich in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
GOD'S WORD® TranslationIn the past, this mystery was not known by people as it is now. The Spirit has now revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.
Good News TranslationIn past times human beings were not told this secret, but God has revealed it now by the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets.
International Standard Versionwhich in previous generations was not made known to human beings as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. This is that secret:
NET BibleNow this secret was not disclosed to people in former generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit,
New Heart English Biblewhich in other generations was not made known to people, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
Webster's Bible TranslationWhich in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Weymouth New Testamentwhich in earlier ages was not made known to the human race, as it has now been revealed to His holy Apostles and Prophets through the Spirit-- Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Biblewhich was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.
World English Biblewhich in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit, Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionwhich in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it was now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit—
Berean Literal Biblewhich was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as now it has been revealed in the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets,
Young's Literal Translation which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it was now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit --
Smith's Literal TranslationWhich in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as now has been revealed to his holy sent and to the prophets by the Spirit: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWhich in other generations was not known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit:
Catholic Public Domain VersionIn other generations, this was unknown to the sons of men, even as it has now been revealed to his holy Apostles and Prophets in the Spirit,
New American Biblewhich was not made known to human beings in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit,
New Revised Standard VersionIn former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhich in ages past was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishWhich in other generations was not made known to the children of men as now it is revealed to his holy Apostles and to his Prophets by The Spirit: NT Translations Anderson New Testamentwhich, in other generations, was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Godbey New Testamentwhich in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets through the Spirit;
Haweis New Testamentwhich in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it hath been now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Mace New Testamentwhich preceeding was not discover'd to men, as now it is to his holy apostles and prophets by the spirit; to wit,
Weymouth New Testamentwhich in earlier ages was not made known to the human race, as it has now been revealed to His holy Apostles and Prophets through the Spirit--
Worrell New Testamentwhich in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it was now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
Worsley New Testamentwhich in other generations was not made known to men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be co-heirs,
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Mystery of the Gospel… 4In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5whichwas not made knownto menin othergenerationsasit has now been revealedbythe SpirittoGod’sholyapostlesandprophets.6This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus.…
Cross References Colossians 1:26-27the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints. / To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Romans 16:25-26Now to Him who is able to strengthen you by my gospel and by the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery concealed for ages past / but now revealed and made known through the writings of the prophets by the command of the eternal God, in order to lead all nations to the obedience that comes from faith—
1 Corinthians 2:7-10No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began. / None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. / Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” ...
1 Peter 1:10-12Concerning this salvation, the prophets who foretold the grace to come to you searched and investigated carefully, / trying to determine the time and setting to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. / It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, when they foretold the things now announced by those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
Matthew 13:17For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
Acts 10:28He said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with a foreigner or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.
Galatians 1:12I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:51Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—
Colossians 2:2-3that 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, / in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
1 Timothy 3:16By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.
Romans 11:25I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.
Hebrews 1:1-2On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. / But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.
Daniel 2:28-30But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days. Your dream and the visions that came into your mind as you lay on your bed were these: / As you lay on your bed, O king, your thoughts turned to the future, and the Revealer of Mysteries made known to you what will happen. / And to me this mystery has been revealed, not because I have more wisdom than any man alive, but in order that the interpretation might be made known to the king, and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind.
Amos 3:7Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.
Isaiah 52:15so He will sprinkle many nations. Kings will shut their mouths because of Him. For they will see what they have not been told, and they will understand what they have not heard.
Treasury of Scripture Which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; in other. Ephesians 3:9 And to make allmen see whatis the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: Matthew 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteousmen have desired to seethose things which ye see, and have not seenthem; and to hearthose things which ye hear, and have not heardthem. Luke 10:24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seenthem; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heardthem. as it. Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone; Ephesians 4:11,12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; … Matthew 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: andsome of them ye shall kill and crucify; andsome of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecutethem from city to city: by. Luke 2:26,27 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ… John 14:26 But the Comforter,which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear,that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. Jump to Previous AgesApostlesChildrenEarlierGenerationGenerationsGod'sHolyHumanPowerProphetsRaceRevealedSpiritJump to Next AgesApostlesChildrenEarlierGenerationGenerationsGod'sHolyHumanPowerProphetsRaceRevealedSpiritEphesians 3 1.The hidden mystery that the Gentiles should be saved was made known to Paul by revelation;8.and to him was that grace given, that he should preach it.13.He desires them not to be discouraged over his tribulation;14.and prays that they may perceive the great love of Christ toward them.which was not made known to men in other generationsThis phrase highlights the concept of progressive revelation, where God unveils His divine plan over time. In the Old Testament, the mystery of the Gentiles being fellow heirs with Israel was not fully disclosed. Prophets like Isaiah hinted at the inclusion of Gentiles ( Isaiah 49:6), but the full understanding was not given until the New Testament era. This underscores the unfolding nature of God's redemptive plan throughout history. as it has now been revealed by the Spirit
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in revealing divine truths. In the New Testament, the Spirit is the agent of revelation, guiding the apostles into all truth (John 16:13). This revelation is not based on human wisdom but is a divine disclosure, emphasizing the Spirit's work in the early church to make known the mysteries of God, particularly the inclusion of Gentiles in the covenant community. to God’s holy apostles and prophets
The apostles and prophets are foundational to the church (Ephesians 2:20). They were chosen vessels through whom God communicated His mysteries. The term "holy" signifies their consecration and dedication to God's service. The apostles, such as Paul and Peter, and New Testament prophets were given insight into God's plan, which was previously hidden. This highlights the unique role they played in the early church, serving as authoritative sources of divine revelation and teaching. Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of the letter to the Ephesians, Paul is writing to the church in Ephesus to explain the mystery of Christ and the unity of Jews and Gentiles in the body of Christ. 2. Holy ApostlesThese are the chosen messengers of Christ, including Paul, who were given the task of spreading the Gospel and establishing the early church. 3. ProphetsIn the New Testament context, these are individuals who were given divine insight and revelation to communicate God’s will to the church. 4. The SpiritRefers to the Holy Spirit, who is the revealer of divine mysteries and the one who empowers the apostles and prophets to understand and communicate God’s truth. 5. Other GenerationsThis refers to the people of the Old Testament era who did not have the full revelation of the mystery of Christ that was later revealed in the New Testament. Teaching Points The Progressive Revelation of God’s PlanGod’s plan of salvation and the inclusion of the Gentiles was progressively revealed, culminating in the New Testament era. This teaches us about the unfolding nature of God’s revelation and His perfect timing. The Role of the Holy Spirit in RevelationThe Holy Spirit is the divine agent who reveals God’s mysteries. Believers today are encouraged to rely on the Spirit for understanding and wisdom in spiritual matters. Unity in the Body of ChristThe revelation of the mystery underscores the unity of Jews and Gentiles in Christ. This calls us to embrace unity and diversity within the church, recognizing that all believers are part of one body. The Authority of Apostles and ProphetsThe apostles and prophets were foundational to the church, having received direct revelation from God. This highlights the importance of adhering to the teachings of Scripture as the authoritative word of God. The Importance of Scripture StudySince the mystery has been revealed through the apostles and prophets, studying Scripture is crucial for understanding God’s will and purpose for our lives. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Ephesians 3
What is the meaning of God's mystery?
What is the church hierarchy structure?
What defines the Church of Christ?
Ephesians 4:13-14: How can believers avoid being 'tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine' if interpretations vary widely among Christians?(5) Which in other ages (rather, to other generations) was not made known unto the sons of men.--For the general sense comp. Colossians 1:27. The phrase "the sons of men" (except that it is once used in Mark 3:28) is peculiar to the Old Testament, where it is of frequent use in the poetical books, and it is notable that in Ezekiel it is the name by which the prophet himself is constantly addressed. Hence, although it is probably wrong to restrict to the children of Israel, or to the prophets, words which by their very nature apply to all mankind, yet the phrase seems to be used with a suggestion of the contrast between the old dispensation and the new. (Comp. our Lord's words in Matthew 11:11, "Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.") As it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.--The application of the epithet "holy" to the Apostles has been thought strange as coming from one of their number; and it is worth notice that this exceptional application is certainly more appropriate to the comparatively impersonal style of an encyclical epistle. But the epithet (applied to the Old Testament prophets inLuke 1:70;Acts 3:21;2Peter 3:2), like the frequent use of it as the substantive "saints," in application to all Christians, refers not to personal character, but to official call and privilege. In this passage it is clear that it is used thus, in emphatic contrast with "the sons of men" above, and in connection with the following words, "in the Spirit." The contrast here briefly conveyed is the same which is drawn out in 1 Corinthians 2 between the "wisdom of men," and the "wisdom of God," sanctifying, and so enlightening, the Christian soul. . . . Verse 5. - Which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations. Though not a new purpose, the knowledge of it is new. Abraham, David, and the prophets, however much they knew of Christ and the fullness of blessing in him for all the families of the earth, did not know the full extent of God's grace to the Gentiles - did not know that the middle wall was to be wholly broken down, and all inequality removed. This might seem to throw some doubt on the reality of this doctrine; but it was on purpose that God kept it secret, and those by whom he has now revealed it are worthy of all regard. As it has now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit. It is not revealed to Paul only, although he has got the privilege of announcing it to the Gentiles, but to the whole body of "holy apostles and prophets." The designation, "holy apostles," is rare; it is used here to magnify the office, to show that those whom the Head of the Church had set apart for himself were fit instruments to receive so important a revelation. "Prophets" here are undoubtedly New Testament prophets (see Ephesians 2:20), the contrast being with "sons of men in other generations." Reference may be made to the experience and decree of the Council of Jerusalem, guided by the Holy Spirit (see Acts 15:28).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek whichὃ(ho)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3739:Who, which, what, that.was not made knownἐγνωρίσθη(egnōristhē)Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1107:To make known, declare, know, discover. From a derivative of ginosko; to make known; subjectively, to know.to menἀνθρώπων(anthrōpōn)Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 444:A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.in otherἑτέραις(heterais)Adjective - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2087:(a) of two: another, a second, (b) other, different, (c) one's neighbor. Of uncertain affinity; other or different.generationsγενεαῖς(geneais)Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1074:From genos; a generation; by implication, an age.asὡς(hōs)Adverb
Strong's 5613:Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.it has now been revealedἀπεκαλύφθη(apekalyphthē)Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 601:To uncover, bring to light, reveal. From apo and kalupto; to take off the cover, i.e. Disclose.byἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.[the] SpiritΠνεύματι(Pneumati)Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151:Wind, breath, spirit.toτοῖς(tois)Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.[God’s]αὐτοῦ(autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.holyἁγίοις(hagiois)Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 40:Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.apostlesἀποστόλοις(apostolois)Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 652:From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.prophets.προφήταις(prophētais)Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4396:From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet.
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NT Letters: Ephesians 3:5 Which in other generations was not made (Ephes. Eph. Ep) |
