How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery;(as I wrote afore in few words,

EPHESIANS 3:3KJV
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Ephesians 3:3 (KJV)

What does Ephesians 3:3 mean?

Ephesians 3:3 says that God revealed a hidden truth, called a "mystery," directly to Paul, and Paul had already written briefly about this before. Paul is explaining that what he knows about this mystery did not come from human teaching but from a special revelation given by God.

Paul, the writer of Ephesians, is speaking to the believers in Ephesus. He is reminding them that the knowledge he has about God’s plan—especially about including non-Jewish people (Gentiles) in God’s promises—came to him through a direct act of God, not by his own discovery. Paul points out that he has already mentioned this mystery earlier in his letter, setting up for a fuller explanation in the verses that follow.

The Greek behind Ephesians 3:3

  • ἀποκάλυψις (apokalypsis, "revelation"): This word means an uncovering or unveiling, often used for something previously hidden that God now makes known. Here, it emphasizes that Paul’s understanding is not from tradition or study, but from God’s direct disclosure.
  • μυστήριον (mystērion, "mystery"): In Paul’s letters, this word refers to a truth that was once hidden but is now revealed by God. It is not a puzzle to solve, but a divine secret now made known.
  • ἐγνώρισεν (egnōrisen, "made known"): This verb stresses that the knowledge was actively given to Paul, not something he figured out himself. The initiative is entirely with God.

Why Ephesians 3:3 matters

  • Ephesians 3:3 clarifies that Paul’s authority and message come from God’s direct revelation, not from secondhand sources or personal opinion, which would have been important for his readers to trust his teaching.
  • The verse highlights the idea of a "mystery" in Paul’s writings—something God kept hidden in the past but has now chosen to reveal, especially about the inclusion of all people in God’s plan.
  • This sets up the following verses, where Paul will explain more about what this mystery is, helping readers understand the unique message of unity in Christ that Ephesians emphasizes.

Where else these words appear

“afore” Greek G4270 · used in 4 verses

  • Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
  • Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
  • Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

“revelation” Greek G602 · used in 18 verses

  • Luke 2:32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
  • Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

“known” Greek G1107 · used in 23 verses

  • Luke 2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
  • 1 Corinthians 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
  • Ephesians 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

“mysteryas” Greek G3466 · used in 27 verses

  • Matthew 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
  • Colossians 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;