Ephesians 3:9

Authorized King James Version

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:

Word-by-Word Analysis

καὶ

G2532

And

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

φωτίσαι

G5461

men see

to shed rays, i.e., to shine or (transitively) to brighten up (literally or figuratively)

πάντα

G3956

all

all, any, every, the whole

τίς

G5101

what

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

τὰ

G3588

which

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κοινωνία

G2842

is the fellowship

partnership, i.e., (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction

τὰ

G3588

which

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μυστηρίου

G3466

of the mystery

a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites)

τὰ

G3588

which

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#10

ἀποκεκρυμμένου

G613

hath been hid

to conceal away (i.e., fully); figuratively, to keep secret

#11

ἀπὸ

G575

from

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

#12

τὰ

G3588

which

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#13

αἰώνων

G165

the beginning of the world

properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world; specially (jewish) a messianic period (present or future)

#14

ἐν

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

#15

τὰ

G3588

which

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#16

θεῷ

G2316

God

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

#17

τὰ

G3588

which

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#18

τὰ

G3588

which

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#19

πάντα

G3956

all

all, any, every, the whole

#20

κτίσαντι

G2936

created

to fabricate, i.e., found (form originally)

#21

διὰ

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

#22

Ἰησοῦ

G2424

Jesus

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

#23

Χριστοῦ,

G5547

Christ

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this verse's literary context within Ephesians chapter 3 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Topics

Salvation