Sigurd Grindheim, «What the OT Prophets Did Not Know: The Mystery of the Church in Eph 3,2-13», Vol. 84 (2003) 531-553

The purpose of this essay is two-fold. First, it argues that the inclusion of the Gentiles is referred to as a previously unrevealed mystery because it is based upon the abrogation of the Mosaic law and entails a degree of nearness to the Lord that exceeds the expectations of the old covenant. Second, it addresses the question of authorship. Assuming Pauline authorship as a working hypothesis, it shows that the use of the concept of mystery in Eph 3 is intimately linked with Paul’s terminology and thought world attested in the undisputed letters. It is unwarranted, therefore, to find proof of a post-Pauline development in the use of the term "mystery" in Ephesians.

Christ Jesus through the gospel". The emphasis in the three terms is on the common prefix sun-². The Gentiles enjoy these privileges together with the Jews. "Fellow heirs" refers to the status of being partakers in the eschatological heritage. The Old Testament background is to have a share (hlhn) in the holy land. To belong to the same body means to be members of the church, for which "body" has become a technical term. As partakers in the promise, the Gentiles are included in the promises to the seed of Abraham (Gen 12,2-3)³. This takes place in Jesus Christ through the gospel.

        Many commentators have argued that the description of a new unity of Jews and Gentiles in Ephesians cannot have been written in the time of Paul but must reflect a later time in church history, a time when the question of the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in the church was no longer a hot issue⁴. This inference seems to be unduly