As “an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God” (Ephesians 1:1), Paul received information directly from God about different subjects pertaining to Christianity. One such revelation was concerning a “mystery.” The book of Ephesians records this “mystery” – God’s plan for the church. Paul wrote it down so we can read it, understand it, and apply it to our lives.
In the New Testament, the word “church” is used in two senses. One sense has a very narrow application, such as a local church, like the “church” at Jerusalem, Antioch, Philippi, Corinth or Ephesus. The other sense has a very broad application, such as when Jesus said He would build His “church”, or the “church” was purchased with the blood of Jesus, or people are added to the “church” by God. In his opening comments of the book of Ephesians, Paul states he is writing to both those “saints who are at Ephesus” (the narrow sense) and to the “faithful in Christ Jesus” (the broad sense) (Ephesians 1:1).