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/worsley'>Re 17:5,7.
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And upon this occasion Jesus opened his mouth and said, "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and knowing, and hast revealed them to babes:
And Jesus replied and said unto him, Blessed art thou Simon son of Jonas, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven.
At this time Jesus was transported with joy in his spirit and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and knowing, and hast revealed them to babes: even so, Father, for such was thy good pleasure. All things are delivered to me by my Father: and none knoweth who the Son is, but the Father: and who the Father is, but the Son; and he to whom the Son pleaseth to reveal Him. read more. And turning to the disciples, He said to them in particular, Blessed are the eyes that see what ye see: for many prophets and kings desired to see the things which ye see, and did not see them; and to hear what ye hear, but did not hear them.
For I would not have you, brethren, to be ignorant of this mystery, (least ye should be wise in your own eyes) that blindness in part is befallen Israel, till the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
For this cause I Paul am the prisoner of Jesus Christ for the sake of you Gentiles: as ye have heard the dispensation of the grace of God, which was given me to preach unto you: read more. that by immediate revelation He made known to me the mystery, (as I wrote before in brief, by which, when ye read it, ye may perceive my knowledge in the mystery of Christ,) which 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, and of the same body, and joint-partakers of his promise in Christ, by the gospel: of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God conferred on me by the effectual operation of his power. On me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace bestowed, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and make all men to see the communication of the mystery, which from the ages past hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ;
rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught it, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Take heed least any one make a prey of you by philosophy and vain deceit, according to the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ: read more. for all the fulness of the deity dwelleth personally in Him. And ye are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
and ye masters, render to your servants justice and equity, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and strifes and contentions about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain:
As to the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks; the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall sound his trumpet, the mystery of God shall be finished, as He hath declared to his servants the prophets.
And the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of the world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Anointed, and He shall reign for ever and ever.
And upon her forehead was a name written, "Mystery, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots, and of the abominations of the earth."
And the angel said unto me, Why dost thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and 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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And He answered them, saying, Because it is granted unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not granted:
For I would not have you, brethren, to be ignorant of this mystery, (least ye should be wise in your own eyes) that blindness in part is befallen 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 a moment,
having made known to us the secret of his will, according to his good pleasure, which He had before purposed in Himself: that in the dispensation of the fulness of times, He might reduce all things, both in heaven and on earth, under one head in Christ:
On me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace bestowed, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and make all men to see the communication of the mystery, which from the ages past hath been hid in 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 the heavenly regions; according to the ancient purpose, which He executed 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 mystery is great: but I speak concerning Christ and the Church.
and for me particularly, that utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth with freedom, to make known the mystery of the gospel:
Of which I was made a minister according to the dispensation of God, which is given me towards you, that I might fully declare the word of God: even that mystery which was hid from former ages and generations, but is now manifested to his saints: read more. to whom God would make known the rich glory of this mystery, among the gentiles; which is this, that Christ is in you the hope of glory:
For the mystery of iniquity is already working, only there is one that hindreth till he be taken out of the way.
As to the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks; the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
And the angel said unto me, Why dost thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and 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 say to you in private, declare ye in public: and what ye hear as in the ear, preach ye as from the house-tops.
And He answered them, saying, Because it is granted unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not granted:
Go ye therefore and instruct all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
And he said unto them, To you it is granted to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but unto them that are without all things are delivered in parables:
And in many such parables spake He the word to them, as they had ability to hear it: but spake not to them without a parable.
And as they came down from the mountain, He charged them to tell no one what they had seen, till after the Son of man were risen from the dead.
And He said, To you it is granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but I speak to others in parables, that in seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, being full of grace and truth: and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father.
I no longer stile you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doth: but I have called you friends; for whatsoever I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you.
And how I with-held nothing that was useful, but have declared it to you, and have taught you publicly and from house to house:
For I have not failed to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
whom God hath appointed to be a propitiation, through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness, in the remission of past sins, according to the forbearance of God; for a demonstration, I say, of his righteousness at this time: that He might be just, and the justifier of him, that believeth in Jesus.
For I would not have you, brethren, to be ignorant of this mystery, (least ye should be wise in your own eyes) that blindness in part is befallen Israel, till the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgements, and his ways not to be traced out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord, or who hath been his counsellor?
Now to Him that is able to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, (conformable to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret in former times, but is now manifested, and made known to all nations by the writings of the prophets, according to the appointment of the eternal God,
Yet we speak true wisdom among the perfect: though not the wisdom of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who come to nought. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, that hidden wisdom which God ordained before the worlds for our glory: read more. which none of the rulers of this age knew; for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, "Eye hath not seen, and ear hath not heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for those that love Him."
But as it is written, "Eye hath not seen, and ear hath not heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for those 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 of God: for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. Whereas the spiritual man discerneth all things, yet is himself discerned by no one.
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat; for ye were not hitherto able to bear it, nor yet are ye even now able.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and am acquainted with all mysteries, and all knowledge: yea if I have faith, even. to remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
For he, that speaketh in an unknown tongue, speaketh not to men, but to God: for no one understandeth, though in spirit he speaketh mysteries.
Behold, I tell you a mystery: we shall not all sleep; but we shall all be changed in a moment,
For we are the sweet odor of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, yea and in them that perish: to these indeed we are an odor of death to death; to those an odor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
but have rejected shameful disguises, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth, recommending ourselves to every man's conscience, in the sight of God. And if our gospel also be veiled, it is to those that perish;
when ye read it, ye may perceive my knowledge in the mystery of Christ,) which 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, read more. and of the same body, and joint-partakers of his promise in Christ, by 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 mystery is great: but I speak concerning Christ and the Church.
This mystery is great: but I speak concerning Christ and the Church.
even that mystery which was hid from former ages and generations, but is now manifested to his saints: to whom God would make known the rich glory of this mystery, among the gentiles; which is this, that Christ is in you the hope of glory:
Let no one deprive you of your reward by an affected humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into what he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his carnal mind;
But now put away all these also, wrath, animosity, malice, calumny, and filthy discourse out of your mouth.
And say ye to Archippus, Look well to the ministry, which thou hast received of the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
For the mystery of iniquity is already working, only there is one that hindreth till he be taken out of the way.
For the mystery of iniquity is already working, only there is one that hindreth till he be taken out of the way. And then the wicked one shall be detected, whom the Lord will destroy by the breath of his mouth, and abolish by the brightness of his coming:
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up into glory.
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up into glory.
For whereas ye ought for the time to be teachers of others, ye have need again of some one to teach you the first rudiments of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk and not of solid food.
As to the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks; the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall sound his trumpet, the mystery of God shall be finished, as He hath declared to his servants the prophets.
And upon her forehead was a name written, "Mystery, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots, and of the abominations of the earth."
Hastings
MYSTERY
The Greek myst
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And He answered them, saying, Because it is granted unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not granted:
And He answered them, saying, Because it is granted unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not granted:
At this time Jesus was transported with joy in his spirit and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and knowing, and hast revealed them to babes: even so, Father, for such was thy good pleasure.
But having obtained help of God, I continue until this day, testifying both to small and great, and saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses declared should come to pass; even that the Messiah should suffer,
For I am a debtor both to Greeks and barbarians, both to the learned and the unlearned:
For I would not have you, brethren, to be ignorant of this mystery, (least ye should be wise in your own eyes) that blindness in part is befallen Israel, till the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
As to the gospel indeed they are enemies on your account, but as to the election they are beloved on account of the fathers.
Now to Him that is able to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, (conformable to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret in former times,
Now to Him that is able to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, (conformable to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret in former times,
And I, when I came among you, brethren, came not with excellency of language, or of human wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God:
Yet we speak true wisdom among the perfect: though not the wisdom of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who come to nought. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, that hidden wisdom which God ordained before the worlds for our glory:
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Let a man so account of us, as the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and am acquainted with all mysteries, and all knowledge: yea if I have faith, even. to remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
For he, that speaketh in an unknown tongue, speaketh not to men, but to God: for no one understandeth, though in spirit he speaketh mysteries.
Behold, I tell you a mystery: we shall not all sleep; but we shall all be changed in a moment,
and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
And if our gospel also be veiled, it is to those that perish; among whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, so that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, doth not shine unto them:
and enlighten the eyes of your understanding; that ye may know, what is the hope of his calling, and how rich the glory of his inheritance in the saints;
and enlighten the eyes of your understanding; that ye may know, what is the hope of his calling, and how rich the glory of his inheritance in the saints;
This mystery is great: but I speak concerning Christ and the Church.
Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, attend to this: and if in any thing ye think differently, God will reveal this also unto you.
Not that I speak on account of want; for I have learnt in whatever circumstances I am, to be contented.
whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
that their hearts may be comforted, being knit together in love, and to all the riches of a full assurance of understanding in these things, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of our God and Father, and of Christ:
For the mystery of iniquity is already working, only there is one that hindreth till he be taken out of the way.
For the mystery of iniquity is already working, only there is one that hindreth till he be taken out of the way.
It is a truth highly to be believed, and worthy to be received by all, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners:---of whom I am one of the chief.
who is willing that all men should be saved, and therefore come to the knowledge of the truth.
But if I should be retarded, that thou mayst know how thou oughtest to behave in the house of God, the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.
who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the holy Spirit,
having a good conversation among the Gentiles; that whereas they speak against you as evil-doers, they may glorify God in the day of their visitation, on account of the good works which they behold in you.
For we did not follow artfully devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; but were eye-witnesses of his majesty.
As to the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks; the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
As to the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks; the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
saying, Hurt not the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.
but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall sound his trumpet, the mystery of God shall be finished, as He hath declared to his servants the prophets.
but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall sound his trumpet, the mystery of God shall be finished, as He hath declared to his servants the prophets.
but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall sound his trumpet, the mystery of God shall be finished, as He hath declared to his servants the prophets.
And upon her forehead was a name written, "Mystery, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots, and of the abominations of the earth."
And upon her forehead was a name written, "Mystery, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots, and of the abominations of the earth."
And the angel said unto me, Why dost thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
And the angel said unto me, Why dost thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and 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/worsley'>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/worsley'>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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And He answered them, saying, Because it is granted unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not granted:
And he said unto them, To you it is granted to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but unto them that are without all things are delivered in parables:
And He said, To you it is granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but I speak to others in parables, that in seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, that hidden wisdom which God ordained before the worlds for our glory:
Let a man so account of us, as the ministers 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 a moment,
having made known to us the secret of his will, according to his good pleasure, which He had before purposed in Himself:
that by immediate revelation He made known to me the mystery, (as I wrote before in brief, by which, when ye read it, ye may perceive my knowledge in the mystery of Christ,)
and make all men to see the communication of the mystery, which from the ages past hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ;
and for me particularly, that utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth with freedom, to make known the mystery of the gospel:
even that mystery which was hid from former ages and generations, but is now manifested to his saints: to whom God would make known the rich glory of this mystery, among the gentiles; which is this, that Christ is in you the hope of glory:
Praying at the same time for us also, that God would open to us a door of utterance, to declare the mystery of Christ, for which also I am in bonds: that I may make it manifest, as I ought.
For the mystery of iniquity is already working, only there is one that hindreth till he be taken out of the way.
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and strifes and contentions about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain:
but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall sound his trumpet, the mystery of God shall be finished, as He hath declared to his servants the prophets.
And upon her forehead was a name written, "Mystery, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots, and of the abominations of the earth."
And the angel said unto me, Why dost thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and 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
And He answered them, saying, Because it is granted unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not granted:
And He answered them, saying, Because it is granted unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not granted:
And he said unto them, To you it is granted to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but unto them that are without all things are delivered in parables:
And He said, To you it is granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but I speak to others in parables, that in seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.
And the Lord said, Who is indeed that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will set over his family to give out the measure of food in due season?
and this is life eternal, to know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.
Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.
for they heard them speaking in divers languages, and glorifying God.
For I would not have you, brethren, to be ignorant of this mystery, (least ye should be wise in your own eyes) that blindness in part is befallen Israel, till the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Now to Him that is able to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, (conformable to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret in former times,
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, that hidden wisdom which God ordained before the worlds for our glory: which none of the rulers of this age knew; for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. read more. But as it is written, "Eye hath not seen, and ear hath not heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for those that love Him."
Let a man so account of us, as the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and am acquainted with all mysteries, and all knowledge: yea if I have faith, even. to remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
For he, that speaketh in an unknown tongue, speaketh not to men, but to God: for no one understandeth, though in spirit he speaketh mysteries.
He, that speaketh in an unknown tongue, edifieth himself: but he, that prophesieth, edifieth the church.
having made known to us the secret of his will, according to his good pleasure, which He had before purposed in Himself:
that by immediate revelation He made known to me the mystery, (as I wrote before in brief, by which, when ye read it, ye may perceive my knowledge in the mystery of Christ,) read more. which 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, and of the same body, and joint-partakers of his promise in Christ, by the gospel:
and make all men to see the communication of the mystery, which from the ages past hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ;
This mystery is great: but I speak concerning Christ and the Church.
and for me particularly, that utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth with freedom, to make known the mystery of the gospel:
even that mystery which was hid from former ages and generations, but is now manifested to his saints: to whom God would make known the rich glory of this mystery, among the gentiles; which is this, that Christ is in you the hope of glory:
that their hearts may be comforted, being knit together in love, and to all the riches of a full assurance of understanding in these things, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of our God and Father, and of Christ:
Praying at the same time for us also, that God would open to us a door of utterance, to declare the mystery of Christ, for which also I am in bonds: that I may make it manifest, as I ought.
For the mystery of iniquity is already working, only there is one that hindreth till he be taken out of the way.
holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up into glory.
As to the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks; the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall sound his trumpet, the mystery of God shall be finished, as He hath declared to his servants the prophets.
And upon her forehead was a name written, "Mystery, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots, and of the abominations of the earth."