Reference: Mystery
American
Means strictly a secret, and is so used when spoken of the heathen "mysteries" or secret rites, which were full of all manner of abominations. In the Scriptures the word "mystery" denotes those truths of religions which, without a revelation from God, would have remained unknown to man. Our Savior says to his disciples, that they are peculiarly happy, because God has revealed to them "the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven," Mt 16:17; 11:25; Lu 10:21-24. Paul explains the word in Eph 3:1-9; and often speaks of the mystery of the gospel, of the mystery of the cross of Christ, of the mystery of Christ which was unknown to former ages, of the mystery of the incarnation, the resurrection, etc., Ro 11:25; 1Co 2:7-10; 4:1; 13:2; 15:51; 1Ti 3:9,16. These, then, were called mysteries, not only because they included some things which stretch beyond all human thought, and others which would never have been known if the Son of God and his Holy Spirit had not revealed them, but also because they were not opened indifferently to everyone; according to the advice of Christ to his apostles, "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine," 1Co 2:14. In one place "mystery" seems to denote the whole cycle of God's secret plan in the administration of the gospel, gradually unfolded even to the end, Re 10:7; 11:15.
Mystery signifies also an allegory, that is, a mode of information under which partial instruction is given, a partial discovery is made, but there is still a cover of some kind, which the persons who desires to know the whole must endeavor to remove. So the mystery of the seven star, Re 1:20, is an allegory representing the seven Asiatic churches under the symbol of seven burning lamps. So the mystery "Babylon the Great," is an allegorical representation of the spiritual Babylon, idolatry, spiritual fornication, etc., "I will tell thee the mystery of the woman;" that is, I will explain to thee the allegory of this figure, 7/5/type/wesley'>Re 17:5,7.
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At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to babes.
And Jesus answering said to him, Happy art thou, Simon Barjonah; for flesh and blood have not revealed this to thee, but my Father who is in heaven.
Yet in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject to you; but rather rejoice, that your names are written in heaven. In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me of my Father; and no one knoweth who the Son is, but the Father, and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son is pleased to reveal him. read more. And turning to the disciples, he said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see. For I tell you, many prophets and kings have desired to see the things which ye see, and have not seen them, and to hear the things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, (lest ye should be wise in your own conceits) that hardness is in part happened to Israel, till the fulness of the Gentiles be come in:
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit; for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
For this cause I Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, (Seeing ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, given me to you ward, That by revelation he made known to me the mystery: read more. as I wrote before in few words, By reading which ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ: Which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed to the holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, That the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and joint-partakers of his promise by Christ through the gospel, Of which I have been made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints is this grace given, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. And to let all men see, what is the fellowship of the mystery, which was hidden from the beginning of the world by God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man make a prey of you through philosophy and empty deceit, after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of this world, and not after Christ. read more. For in him dwelleth the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are filled by him, who is the head of all principality and power.
Masters, give your servants that which is just and equitable, knowing that ye also have a master in heaven.
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
The mystery of the stars which thou sawest in my right hand and of the seven golden candlesticks. The stars are angels of the churches: and the candlesticks are seven churches.
But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall sound, the mystery of God shall be fulfilled, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
And the seventh angel sounded, and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdom of the world is become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever.
And on her forehead a name written, Mystery; Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth.
And the angel said to me, Wherefore didst thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the wild beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and the ten horns.
Easton
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 (1Co 15:51), and other doctrines which need to be explained but which cannot be fully understood by finite intelligence (Mt 13:11; Ro 11:25; 1Co 13:2); the union between Christ and his people symbolized by the marriage union (Eph 5:31-32; comp. Eph 6:19); the seven stars and the seven candlesticks (Re 1:20); and the woman clothed in scarlet (Re 17:7), are also in this sense mysteries. The anti-Christian power working in his day is called by the apostle (2Th 2:7) the "mystery of iniquity."
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He answered and said to them, Because to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; but to them it is not given.
Brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, (lest ye should be wise in your own conceits) that hardness is in part happened to Israel, till the fulness of the Gentiles be come in:
Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.
in all wisdom and prudence, Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in himself, That in the dispensation of the fulness of the times, he might gather together into one in Christ all things which are in heaven, and which are in earth,
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints is this grace given, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. And to let all men see, what is the fellowship of the mystery, which was hidden from the beginning of the world by God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: read more. That the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in heavenly places, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord,
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife; and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery; I mean, concerning Christ and the church.
And for me that utterance may be given me, by the opening my mouth to make known boldly the mystery of the gospel,
Of which I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God, which is given me for you, fully to preach the word of God: The mystery which hath been hid from ages and generations; but now is manifested to his saints: read more. To whom among the Gentiles it was the will of God to make known, what is the riches of this glorious mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
For the mystery of iniquity already worketh; only he that with-holdeth will with-hold, till he be taken out of the way.
The mystery of the stars which thou sawest in my right hand and of the seven golden candlesticks. The stars are angels of the churches: and the candlesticks are seven churches.
And the angel said to me, Wherefore didst thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the wild beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and the ten horns.
Fausets
From mustees, "one initiated" into "a revealed secret"; mueoo the verb means "to conceal"; Mu (?), the sound made by closing the lips (m), is the same onomatopoeic sound as in mute. In New Testament usage a spiritual truth heretofore hidden, incapable of discovery by mere reason, but now revealed. Not like the pagan mysteries, imparted only; to the initiated few. All Christians are the initiated; unbelievers alone are the uninitiated (2Co 4:3). The union of Christ and the church is such "a great mystery" (Eph 5:31-32). The church becoming a harlot by conformity to the world is a counter "mystery" (Re 17:5). "Iniquity" (anomia) in the harlot is a leaven working in "mystery" at first, i.e. latently; afterward when she is destroyed iniquity shall be revealed in "the man of iniquity" (ho anomos), the open embodiment of all previous evil, for popery cannot at once be the mystery of iniquity and the revealed antichrist (2Th 2:7-8).
The mystery of God (Re 10:7), in contrast, is man's "redemption from all iniquity" and its consequences; a mystery once hidden in God's secret counsels, dimly-shadowed forth in types and prophecies, but now more and more clearly revealed according as the gospel kingdom develops itself up to its fullest consummation. "The mystery of godliness" (1Ti 3:16) is the divine scheme embodied in Christ (Col 1:26-27). Hidden before "with God" as the "mystery," He is now made manifest (Joh 1:1,14; Ro 16:25-26). Redemption for the whole Gentile world as well as Israel, to whom it seemed in a great measure restricted in Old Testament, is now revealed to all. "The glory of this mystery is Christ in you (now by faith as your hidden life, Col 3:8), the hope of glory" (your hereafter to be manifested life: 1Co 2:7-9; 2Co 4:17). There are six New Testament "mysteries":
(1) The incarnation (1Ti 3:16).
(2) The mystery of iniquity (2Th 2:7).
(3) Christ's marriage to the church, Eph 5:32, translated "this mystery is great," i.e. this truth hidden once but now revealed, namely, Christ's spiritual union with the church, mystically represented by marriage, is of great import; not as Vulgate "this is a great sacrament"; not marriage in general, but that of Christ and His church, is the mystery, as Paul declares "I say it in regard to (eis) Christ, and to (eis)) the church," whereas Ge 2:24 refers primarily to literal marriage. (See MARRIAGE.)
(4) The union of Jews and Gentiles in one body, the present election church (Eph 3:4-6); the Old Testament did not foretell we should form Christ's one body, the temple of the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit not merely gives influences as in Old Testament, but personally comes and dwells in the church, joining Jews and Gentiles in one fellowship of God and Christ; He is the earnest of the coming inheritance and the seal of redemption; the Old Testament saints had "proetermission" (paresis) of sins, the New Testament saints have "full remission" (afesis); the forbearance of God was exercised then, the righteousness of God is revealed now (Ro 3:25-26) in our justification.
(5) Israel's full and final restoration (Ro 11:25).
(6) The resurrection of the body (1Co 15:51).
Ordinarily "mystery" refers to those from whom the knowledge is withheld; in the New Testament mystery refers to those to whom it is revealed. It is hidden in God until brought forward; even when brought forward it remains hidden from the carnal. "Mysteries" (1Co 14:2) mean what is unintelligible to the hearers, exciting wonder rather than instructing; this is in the common sense, but the New Testament does not sanction in the gospel mysteries in this sense. In Re 1:20 "the mystery of the seven stars" is a oncehidden truth, veiled under this symbol, but now revealed; its correlative is revelation. In 1Co 13:2 "mysteries" refer to God's deep counsels heretofore secret but now revealed, "knowledge" to truths long known.
So in Mt 13:11; Mr 4:11; Lu 8:10, "mysteries" answer in parallelism to "parables"; to the receptive "the mysteries," or once hidden things of the kingdom of God, are now known by God's gift; to the unbelieving they remain "parables," on which they see only the outward shell but do not taste the kernel (1Co 2:9-10,14-15; Ps 25:14; 1Jo 4:20-21; Joh 15:15). The parabolic form is designed to rouse the carnal to search and reflection; from whence Jesus did not begin to use it until after He had for some time been speaking plainly. In contrast to paganism, there were no mysteries revealed by God to ministers or priests that were not designed for all. De 29:29; "secret things belong to Jehovah (compare Job 11:7; Ro 11:33-34; at this point we must not presume to speculate; Col 2:18), but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."
The little ones must hear all revelation as much as the intellectual (De 6:7; Jos 8:34-35; Ne 8:1-2). Moses and the prophets and the apostles practiced no "reserve." So Jesus ordered (Mt 10:27; 28:19). Paul preached publicly and from house to house the "whole counsel of God" (Ac 20:20,27), "keeping back nothing profitable." They taught babes indeed elementary essentials first, yet did not reserve the deepest truths out of sight, as the pagan mysteries; but set the ultimate goal of perfect knowledge from the first as that to be striven toward (1Co 2:6; 3:2; Heb 5:12).
Gnosticism introduced the system of esoteric and exoteric doctrine; the mediaeval church perpetuated it. Christ as God had the power to reserve His manifestation of Himself to a few during His earthly ministry, previous to the Pentecostal effusion of the Spirit (Mr 4:33; 9:9; Lu 9:21); but His ministers have no such right. Paul disclaims it, 2Co 4:2; "we have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God." On men themselves rests the responsibility how they use the whole counsel of God set before them (2Co 2:15-16).
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What I tell you in darkness, speak ye in the light; and what ye hear in the ear, proclaim on the house-tops.
He answered and said to them, Because to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; but to them it is not given.
Go ye and disciple all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
And he said to them, To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but to them that are without, all things are in parables:
And with many such parables spake he the word to them, as they were able to hear.
And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them to tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.
And he said, To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to others in parables, so that seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not understand.
Peter answering said, The Christ of God. But he straitly charged and commanded them,
In the beginning existed the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
And the Word was made flesh, and tabernacled among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.
for the servant knoweth not what his lord doth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you.
And that I have with-held nothing which was profitable, but have preached to you, and taught you, publickly and from house to house:
For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Whom God hath set forth as a propitiation, through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness by the remission of past sins, through the forbearance of God: For a demonstration, I say, of his righteousness in this present time, that he might be just, and yet the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus.
Brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, (lest ye should be wise in your own conceits) that hardness is in part happened to Israel, till the fulness of the Gentiles be come in:
O the depth of the riches, and wisdom, and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counsellor?
according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, (according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began, But now made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God,
Yet we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: but not the wisdom of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the hidden wisdom of God in a mystery, which God ordained before the world for our glory; read more. Which none of the rulers of this world knew; for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor hath ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love him.
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor hath ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things, even the deep things of God.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit; for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But the spiritual man discerneth all things, while he himself is discerned by no man.
I fed you with milk, not with meat; for ye were not yet able to bear it: nor are ye now able.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith so as to remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue, speaketh not to men, but to God; for no one understandeth him, though by the Spirit he speaketh mysteries:
Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.
For we are to God a sweet odour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To these an odour of death unto death, but to those an odour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
not walking in craftiness, nor deceitfully corrupting the word of God, but by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel also is veiled, it is veiled to them that perish;
By reading which ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ: Which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed to the holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, read more. That the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and joint-partakers of his promise by Christ through the gospel,
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife; and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery; I mean, concerning Christ and the church.
This is a great mystery; I mean, concerning Christ and the church.
The mystery which hath been hid from ages and generations; but now is manifested to his saints: To whom among the Gentiles it was the will of God to make known, what is the riches of this glorious mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Let none defraud you of your reward by a voluntary humility and worship of angels, intruding into the things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
But now put ye also all these things off, anger, wrath, ill-nature, evil speaking, filthy discourse out of your mouth.
And say to Archippus, Take heed that thou fulfil the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord.
For the mystery of iniquity already worketh; only he that with-holdeth will with-hold, till he be taken out of the way.
For the mystery of iniquity already worketh; only he that with-holdeth will with-hold, till he be taken out of the way. And then will that wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the Spirit of his mouth, and destroy with the brightness of his coming:
The mystery of godliness is the pillar and ground of the truth, and without controversy a great thing: God was manifested in the flesh, was justified by the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up into glory.
The mystery of godliness is the pillar and ground of the truth, and without controversy a great thing: God was manifested in the flesh, was justified by the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up into glory.
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again, which are the first principles of the oracles of God, and are become such as have need of milk and not of strong meat.
The mystery of the stars which thou sawest in my right hand and of the seven golden candlesticks. The stars are angels of the churches: and the candlesticks are seven churches.
But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall sound, the mystery of God shall be fulfilled, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
And on her forehead a name written, Mystery; Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth.
Hastings
MYSTERY
The Greek myst
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He answered and said to them, Because to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; but to them it is not given.
He answered and said to them, Because to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; but to them it is not given.
Yet in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject to you; but rather rejoice, that your names are written in heaven. In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
But having obtained help from God, I continue till this day, testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what both the prophets and Moses have declared should be,
I am a debtor both to the Greeks and the barbarians, both to the wise and to the unwise.
Brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, (lest ye should be wise in your own conceits) that hardness is in part happened to Israel, till the fulness of the Gentiles be come in:
With regard to the gospel, they are enemies for your sake; but as for the election, they are beloved, for the sake of their fathers.
according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, (according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began,
according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, (according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began,
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring to you the testimony of God.
Yet we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: but not the wisdom of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the hidden wisdom of God in a mystery, which God ordained before the world for our glory;
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit; for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Let a man so account us, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith so as to remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue, speaketh not to men, but to God; for no one understandeth him, though by the Spirit he speaketh mysteries:
Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.
Who hath also sealed us, and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
But if our gospel also is veiled, it is veiled to them that perish; Whose unbelieving minds the god of this world hath blinded, lest the illumination of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine upon them.
The eyes of your understanding being inlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
The eyes of your understanding being inlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
This is a great mystery; I mean, concerning Christ and the church.
Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be thus minded; and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Not that I speak in respect of want; for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, to be content.
Whom we preach, admonishing every man, and teaching every man, that we may present every man perfect through Christ Jesus.
That their hearts may be comforted, being knit together in love, even unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, unto the acknowledgment of the mystery of God,
For the mystery of iniquity already worketh; only he that with-holdeth will with-hold, till he be taken out of the way.
For the mystery of iniquity already worketh; only he that with-holdeth will with-hold, till he be taken out of the way.
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief.
Who willeth all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
But if I tarry, that thou mayst know how to behave in the house of God, which is the church of the living God.
For it is impossible for those who were once inlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and been made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
which war against the soul, Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles, that whereas they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Beholding your chaste conversation joined with fear:
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of his majesty.
The mystery of the stars which thou sawest in my right hand and of the seven golden candlesticks. The stars are angels of the churches: and the candlesticks are seven churches.
The mystery of the stars which thou sawest in my right hand and of the seven golden candlesticks. The stars are angels of the churches: and the candlesticks are seven churches.
Saying, Hurt ye not the earth, neither the sea, neither the trees, till we seal the servants of our God on their foreheads.
But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall sound, the mystery of God shall be fulfilled, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall sound, the mystery of God shall be fulfilled, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall sound, the mystery of God shall be fulfilled, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
And on her forehead a name written, Mystery; Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth.
And on her forehead a name written, Mystery; Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth.
And the angel said to me, Wherefore didst thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the wild beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and the ten horns.
And the angel said to me, Wherefore didst thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the wild beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and the ten horns.
Morish
This word describes a hidden or secret thing, known only to the initiated. In scripture it stands in contrast to the manifest or public dealings of God. The Lord Jesus having been rejected, is now hidden in the heavens, and the ways of God are secret to the world, but made known, as also His hidden purpose which is being accomplished by His secret ways, to those who have 'ears to hear.' In the issue of those ways the mystery of God is finished. Re 10:7.
The Lord often spoke in parables to the multitude, but explained them to the apostles, because it was given unto them to know the mysteries of the kingdom. Mt 13:11; Mr 4:11; Lu 8:10. Christianity is a mystery to the unconverted. The apostles were stewards of the mysteries of God, and they spoke "the wisdom of God in a mystery." The Apostle Paul spoke of the 'mystery of the gospel,' the 'mystery of the faith,' the 'mystery of Christ,' and the 'mystery of godliness,' or piety. 1Co 2:7; 4:1; Eph 6:19; Col 4:3; 1Ti 3:9,16.
The marvellous purpose of God, the mystery of the church, that had been hidden for ages, was revealed to Paul, as well as its present administration. 9/type/wesley'>Eph 1:9; 3:3-4,9; Col 1:26-27. It is that in which are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. The intelligence of it explains how Christ can be here in a scene from which He has been rejected alike by Jew and Gentile. There is also the mystery of the power of Christ as regards both the dead and the living saints. 1Co 15:51. In opposition to God there is the 'mystery of iniquity,' that was secretly working in the church in the apostles' days. 2Th 2:7. Allied to this is papal Rome, whose name is really "Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth." 7/5/type/wesley'>Re 17:5,7. The above scriptures show that though there are several things designated mysteries, yet God in His grace has made them known to His saints.
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He answered and said to them, Because to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; but to them it is not given.
And he said to them, To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but to them that are without, all things are in parables:
And he said, To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to others in parables, so that seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not understand.
which God ordained before the world for our glory;
Let a man so account us, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.
in all wisdom and prudence, Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in himself,
as I wrote before in few words, By reading which ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ:
And to let all men see, what is the fellowship of the mystery, which was hidden from the beginning of the world by God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
And for me that utterance may be given me, by the opening my mouth to make known boldly the mystery of the gospel,
The mystery which hath been hid from ages and generations; but now is manifested to his saints: To whom among the Gentiles it was the will of God to make known, what is the riches of this glorious mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Withal, praying likewise for us, that God would open to us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ: for which I am also in bonds:
For the mystery of iniquity already worketh; only he that with-holdeth will with-hold, till he be taken out of the way.
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall sound, the mystery of God shall be fulfilled, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
And on her forehead a name written, Mystery; Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth.
And the angel said to me, Wherefore didst thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the wild beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and the ten horns.
Watsons
MYSTERY. The Greek word ????????? denotes,
1. Something hidden, or not fully manifest. Thus, 2Th 2:7, we read of the "mystery of iniquity," which began to work in secret, but was not then completely disclosed or manifested.
2. Some sacred thing hidden or secret, which is naturally unknown to human reason, and is only known by the revelation of God. Thus, "Great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh, justified by the Spirit," &c, 1Ti 3:16. The mystery of godliness, or of true religion, consisted in the several particulars here mentioned by the Apostle; particulars, indeed, which it would never have "entered into the heart of man to conceive," 1Co 2:9, had not God accomplished them in fact, and published them by the preaching of his Gospel; but which, being thus manifested, are intelligible, as facts, to the meanest understanding. In like manner, the term mystery, Ro 11:25; 1Co 15:51, denotes what was hidden or unknown, till revealed; and thus the Apostle speaks of a man's "understanding all mysteries," 1Co 13:2; that is, all the revealed truths of the Christian religion which is elsewhere called the "mystery of faith," 1Ti 3:9. And when he who spake in an unknown tongue is said to "speak mysteries," 1Co 14:2, it is plain, that these mysteries, however unintelligible to others on account of the language in which they were spoken, were yet understood by the person himself, because he hereby "edified himself," 1Co 14:4; Ac 2:11; 10:46. And though in 1Co 2:7-8, we read of the "wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which none of the princes of this world knew;" yet, says the Apostle, we speak or declare this wisdom; and he observes, verse 10, that God had revealed the particulars of which it consisted to them by his Spirit. So when the Apostles are called "stewards of the mysteries of God," 1Co 4:1, these mysteries could not mean what were, as facts, unknown to them; (because to them it was "given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God," Mt 13:11;) yea, the character here ascribed to them implies not only that they knew these mysteries themselves, but that as faithful stewards they were to dispense or make them known to others, Lu 12:42; 1Pe 4:10. In Col 2:2, St. Paul mentions his praying for his converts, that their hearts might be comforted "to the knowledge of the mystery of God, even of the Father, and of Christ;" for thus the passage should be translated. But if, with our translators, we render ?????????, acknowledgment, still the word ????????? can by no means exclude knowledge; "for this is life eternal," saith our Lord, Joh 17:3, "that they may know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." And, lastly, whatever be the particular meaning of the "mystery of God," mentioned Re 10:7, yet it was something he had declared "to (or rather by) his servants the prophets."
3. The word mystery is sometimes in the writings of St. Paul applied in a peculiar sense to the calling of the Gentiles, which he styles "the mystery," Eph 3:3-6; and "the mystery of Christ, which 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, that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of Christ by the Gospel," Ro 16:25; Eph 1:9; 3:9; 6:19; Col 1:26-27; 4:3.
4. It denotes spiritual truth couched under an external representation or similitude, and concealed or hidden thereby, unless some explanation of it be otherwise given. Thus, Re 1:20, "The mystery," that is, the spiritual meaning, "of the seven stars: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches." So Re 17:5, "And upon her forehead a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great," that is, Babylon in a spiritual sense, "the mother of idolatry and abominations;" and, verse 7, "I will tell thee the mystery" or spiritual signification "of the woman." Compare Mt 13:11; Mr 4:11; Lu 8:10; Eph 5:32; and their respective contexts.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
He answered and said to them, Because to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; but to them it is not given.
He answered and said to them, Because to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; but to them it is not given.
And he said to them, To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but to them that are without, all things are in parables:
And he said, To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to others in parables, so that seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not understand.
And the Lord said, Who is that faithful and wise steward, whom his Lord shall make ruler over his housoold, to give the allowance of food in due season?
And this is life eternal, to know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
we hear them speaking in our tongues the wonderful works of God?
For they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God.
Brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, (lest ye should be wise in your own conceits) that hardness is in part happened to Israel, till the fulness of the Gentiles be come in:
according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, (according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began,
which God ordained before the world for our glory; Which none of the rulers of this world knew; for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. read more. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor hath ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love him.
Let a man so account us, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith so as to remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue, speaketh not to men, but to God; for no one understandeth him, though by the Spirit he speaketh mysteries:
He that speaketh in an unknown tongue, edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church.
in all wisdom and prudence, Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in himself,
as I wrote before in few words, By reading which ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ: read more. Which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed to the holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, That the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and joint-partakers of his promise by Christ through the gospel,
And to let all men see, what is the fellowship of the mystery, which was hidden from the beginning of the world by God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
This is a great mystery; I mean, concerning Christ and the church.
And for me that utterance may be given me, by the opening my mouth to make known boldly the mystery of the gospel,
The mystery which hath been hid from ages and generations; but now is manifested to his saints: To whom among the Gentiles it was the will of God to make known, what is the riches of this glorious mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
That their hearts may be comforted, being knit together in love, even unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, unto the acknowledgment of the mystery of God,
Withal, praying likewise for us, that God would open to us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ: for which I am also in bonds:
For the mystery of iniquity already worketh; only he that with-holdeth will with-hold, till he be taken out of the way.
And let these be proved first,
The mystery of godliness is the pillar and ground of the truth, and without controversy a great thing: God was manifested in the flesh, was justified by the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up into glory.
The mystery of the stars which thou sawest in my right hand and of the seven golden candlesticks. The stars are angels of the churches: and the candlesticks are seven churches.
But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall sound, the mystery of God shall be fulfilled, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
And on her forehead a name written, Mystery; Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth.