Eph 3:9-12 What does Paul mean by what he says here?
Eph 3:9-12 What does Paul mean by what he says here?
The mystery Paul refers to here is that the church will be made up of both Jews and Gentiles, and that Gentiles will be joint - partakers with Jews of all the gospel promises of God in Christ.
This was not made known to the Old Testament prophets, but was revealed by the Holy Spirit to the apostles and prophets in the New Testament (CP V1-6 with 1Cor 2:9-12; 1Pe 1:10-12).
God's purpose in this was to demonstrate His manifold wisdom to the principalities and powers - both good and bad angels - in heavenly places (CP 1Cor 4:9; Eph 6:12).
See also comments on 1Cor 2:7-8.
Angels are constantly watching the church. They are spectators viewing God's redemptive plan from the sidelines.
They are not participants in God's redemptive plan, but as we learned in 1Pe 1:12 they have a passionate desire to know all about it.
They see in the church once depraved sinners now living lives that glorify God and they see that God has seated them with Christ in heavenly places.
God's redemptive plan is the manifold wisdom of God which the church is teaching the angels (CP also 1Cor 11:4-10; 1Ti 5:21). Eph 3:14-21
See comments on Eph 1:15-23.