And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

EPHESIANS 3:9KJV
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Ephesians 3:9 (KJV)

What does Ephesians 3:9 mean?

Ephesians 3:9 describes part of Paul’s task: helping everyone understand God’s previously hidden purpose and how people share in it. In the surrounding passage, that purpose includes bringing Jewish and non-Jewish believers together through Jesus Christ.

The picture of making people “see” is about bringing understanding where there had been something hidden. After speaking of his task in verse 8, Paul describes the mystery as something hidden in God since the beginning of the world.

The Greek behind Ephesians 3:9

  • “make all men see” — φωτίζω (phōtizō): The Greek carries the sense of giving light or bringing something to light. Paul uses a picture of light to describe making the hidden purpose understandable.
  • “fellowship” — κοινωνία (koinōnia): The word often means sharing or participation. Here the KJV presents the mystery as something in which people can share.
  • “mystery” — μυστήριον (mystērion): The word can refer to something previously hidden that is made known. In this passage, the mystery concerns God’s purpose for Jewish and non-Jewish believers together.

Why Ephesians 3:9 matters

  • The sharing Paul describes crosses a familiar dividing line. Verse 6 says that non-Jewish people share with Jewish believers in what God has promised through Christ.
  • The verse places the hidden purpose with the Creator. The KJV calls God the one “who created all things by Jesus Christ,” connecting the mystery with the one responsible for all creation.

Where else these words appear

“hid” Greek G613 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 11:25 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 unto babes.
  • Matthew 25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
  • 1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

“make” Greek G5461 · used in 11 verses

  • Luke 11:36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.
  • Ephesians 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
  • Hebrews 10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

“created” Greek G2936 · used in 12 verses

  • Mark 13:19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
  • Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
  • Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

“fellowship” Greek G2842 · used in 18 verses

  • Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
  • 2 Corinthians 8:4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
  • Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;