Mystery

God’s character and purpose cannot be discerned by human reason

Job 11:7 NKRV

7 네가 하나님의 오묘함을 어찌 능히 측량하며 전능자를 어찌 능히 완전히 알겠느냐

See also Job 38:1–42:6

God reveals his plans through dreams, interpreted by his servant

Da 2:28 Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams require the interpretation that God discloses to Daniel before they can be understood as a revelation of divine purposes for Babylon and the surrounding nations.

See also Da 2:17–49; Da 4:9

God’s mysteries are revealed to a man inspired by his Spirit

Daniel 4:18 NKRV

18 나 느부갓네살 왕이 이 꿈을 꾸었나니 너 벨드사살아 그 해석을 밝히 말하라 내 나라 모든 지혜자가 능히 내게 그 해석을 알게 하지 못하였으나 오직 너는 능히 하리니 이는 거룩한 신들의 영이 네 안에 있음이라

See also Am 3:7

The mystery of God’s kingdom

Mt 13:11 God’s plan to establish his kingdom is revealed only to those chosen to receive it. To those “outside” it is hidden in parables.

Mystery as God’s plan of salvation

God’s plan, now revealed, has been hidden for long ages

Eph 3:9 The use of “mystery” in this sense is found particularly in Paul’s letters.

See also Ro 16:25; 1 Co 2:7; Col 1:26

God’s plan is fulfilled in Jesus Christ

Ephesians 1:9 NKRV

9 그 뜻의 비밀을 우리에게 알리신 것이요 그의 기뻐하심을 따라 그리스도 안에서 때가 찬 경륜을 위하여 예정하신 것이니

See also Eph 3:4; Col 2:2; 1 Ti 3:16 The “mystery of godliness” is the revealed secret that produces godliness in people.

God’s plan through Jesus Christ is for the salvation of Gentiles as well as Jews

Ephesians 3:6 NKRV

6 이는 이방인들이 복음으로 말미암아 그리스도 예수 안에서 함께 상속자가 되고 함께 지체가 되고 함께 약속에 참여하는 자가 됨이라

See also Ro 11:25; Col 1:27

Ultimately God’s plan is for the transformation of the whole creation

Ephesians 1:9–10 NKRV

9 그 뜻의 비밀을 우리에게 알리신 것이요 그의 기뻐하심을 따라 그리스도 안에서 때가 찬 경륜을 위하여 예정하신 것이니 10 하늘에 있는 것이나 땅에 있는 것이 다 그리스도 안에서 통일되게 하려 하심이라

See also 1 Co 15:51–53; Re 10:7; Re 17:5–8

God’s plan is revealed by his Spirit so that his servants may publicly proclaim it

Ephesians 3:8–9 NKRV

8 모든 성도 중에 지극히 작은 자보다 더 작은 나에게 이 은혜를 주신 것은 측량할 수 없는 그리스도의 풍성함을 이방인에게 전하게 하시고 9 영원부터 만물을 창조하신 하나님 속에 감추어졌던 비밀의 경륜이 어떠한 것을 드러내게 하려 하심이라

See also Eph 3:4–6; Eph 6:19; Col 1:25–27; Col 4:3; Re 10:7

Mystery as other aspects of God’s purposes, spiritually discerned

2 Th 2:7 Paul’s reference to “the secret power (literally “mystery”) of lawlessness” suggests that we know some things about evil only as God reveals them.

See also 1 Co 13:2; 1 Co 14:2

Mystery as an allegorical understanding of a biblical text, revealed to Paul by God

Eph 5:31–32 Paul sees Ge 2:24 as symbolising the unity between Jesus Christ and his church; the unity of husband and wife is a human reflection of that relationship.