Two Mysteries - Jew; Gentile
A Sermon on Ephesians 3:2-7
Originally preached Oct. 28, 1956
Scripture
2If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the …
Sermon Description
True unity can exist within the church. Since Christians are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise, harmony can be found between Jew and Gentile. In this sermon on Ephesians 3:2–7 titled “Two Mysteries – Jew, Gentile,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones discusses the general mystery of Christ that is the glorious story of the gospel and the particular mystery of the Gentiles now being fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise just as the Jews. Dr. Lloyd-Jones stresses here the importance that there now is no difference as to membership in the family of God between Jews and Gentiles. There is no longer a need for a Gentile to become a Jewish proselyte since they are now members of the same body. This is important because this mystery had not always been known to the people of God. Paul, here in this text, is pointing out that this mystery has now been revealed and Jew and Gentile are members of the same body. Amidst this glorious message of salvation Dr. Lloyd-Jones also takes time to address a particular fallacy that is believed by some regarding this text and the biblical evidence against it.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul wants the Ephesians to understand the privilege and glory of his ministry so they will not worry about him in prison.
- Paul refers to the "mystery of Christ" which is the message of the gospel - that salvation is through Christ alone. This is a mystery that can only be understood through the revelation of the Holy Spirit.
- Paul wants the Ephesians to contemplate the greatness of Christ and the gospel. He asks if Christ and the gospel are the most absorbing interests in their lives.
- Paul refers to a "particular mystery" regarding the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in the church.
- Some teach "dispensationalism" - that God has different plans for Jews and the church. They say the church was a "mystery" not revealed in the OT. But Paul says this mystery was revealed to the apostles, not just to him. And it was revealed in the OT, just not as clearly as now.
- The particular mystery is that Jews and Gentiles are "fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel." They share equally in the blessings and promises of God.
- "Fellow heirs" means Jews and Gentiles inherit the same promises and new covenant. "Fellow members of the body" means they are equally part of the body of Christ. "Fellow partakers of the promise" refers to receiving the Holy Spirit and resurrection/eternal life.
- In Christ, the distinction between Jew and Gentile is abolished. They are compacted together in the one body of Christ.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on the Mystery of Christ and the Church
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the "mystery" Paul refers to in Ephesians 3:2-7?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Paul mentions two distinct mysteries in this passage. The first is the "general mystery," which is "the mystery of Christ" (verse 4) - referring to the whole message of the Gospel and Christ himself. The second is the "particular mystery" (verses 5-6) concerning the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in the Christian church - that "Gentile and Jew are to be together in the Christian church."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the incarnation as part of the "mystery of Christ"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes the incarnation as a profound mystery - that God chose to save the world not through a dramatic display of power but through "a helpless babe." He emphasizes that Christ has "two natures in one person" - He is "truly God without any limitation" and "truly man without any limitation" yet "not two persons." Lloyd-Jones acknowledges this is incomprehensible to human minds: "I don't understand that, says someone. Of course you don't. You're not meant to."
What is dispensationalism according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, and why does he critique it?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes dispensationalism as a teaching that claims the Old Testament promises apply only to Jews and not to the church. Dispensationalists teach that the church is a "parenthesis" that came into being only because Jews rejected Christ's offer of the kingdom. Lloyd-Jones critiques this view for misinterpreting Paul's statement in Ephesians 3:5. The text doesn't say this mystery was never revealed before, but rather that it "was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed" - meaning it existed in "embryo" form but is now in "full blossom."
What three relationships does Paul highlight between Jews and Gentiles in the church?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes Paul's use of three "fellow" terms to describe the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in the church: 1. "Fellow heirs" - Gentiles share equally in all the promises God made to the Jewish people 2. "Fellow members of the body" - not just beneficiaries but organically connected as equal parts of Christ's body 3. "Fellow partakers of the promise" - equal recipients of both the Holy Spirit and the resurrection hope
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the relationship between the kingdom and the church?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that "the church is now the kingdom" and "what the Jewish nation was in the Old Testament, the Church is now." He cites Matthew 21:43 where Jesus said "the kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a nation, bringing forth the fruits thereof," and notes how Peter applies to the church (of Jews and Gentiles) the very terms used for Israel in Exodus 19: "a holy nation, a royal priesthood...a peculiar people." For Lloyd-Jones, this proves that "the old distinction between the Jew and the Gentile is abolished once and forever."
The Book of Ephesians
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.