The term mystery is used in Scripture, to express things not discoverable by the light of reason, but knowable by revelation.  It is also used to express incomprehensibles; which may be objects of faith on the credit of divine truth.  The former is the more common sense of the term in the gospel, particularly in the passage before us, and generally in St. Paul’s epistles.  “We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery—­the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory; which none of the princes of this world knew; for had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.  But it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them into us by his Spirit.”

The gospel plan of salvation was a mystery, a hidden mystery, till the gospel day.  It was hidden from the prophets who foretold it; and from the apostles, till after Christ’s sufferings and resurrection.  They understood very little of it; knew almost nothing about it till after the ascension, when the comforter was sent down “to teach them all things, and bring all things to their remembrance.”  To them it was then matter of wonder.  They had not been made to understand that Christ was to bear the sins of men—­“that he was to suffer and enter into his glory:”  And when he did suffer, “they knew not the Scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.”

Another gospel mystery was the calling of the Gentiles—­that salvation was intended for them, and to be offered to them, in Christ, equally as to the natural seed of Jacob.  “If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given me to you ward; how that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery—­which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:  That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ, by the Gospel, whereof I am made a minister.” *

* Ephesian iii. 2-7.

These were some of the mysteries dispensed by this steward of the mysteries of God; who “shunned not to declare all the counsel of God.”

He declared the deep things, which human reason could not have discovered; and those also which it cannot comprehend.  These are to be found in Paul’s teachings, as well as the plain things which are easy to be understood.

But the principal business of this “steward o the mysteries of God,” was to open the way of salvation through a Savior, and shew that provision is made in him for the salvation of both Jews and Gentiles, and offered alike to those of every nation; and to lead men to the knowledge of themselves and the Redeemer, and teach them how they might be benefited by divine grace in him.