Note 10 at Eph 3:9: Paul's stated purpose here was "to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery." He sought to accomplish this through his preaching and teaching ministry and was very successful. His writings have been canonized as Scripture and have gone far beyond his "pulpit" ministry in accomplishing his goal. For nearly 2,000 years, Paul's writings have touched multitudes more than he did during his personal ministry and opened their eyes to the mystery of Christ. His goal is still being fulfilled more than he ever imagined.

Note 11 at Eph 3:9: In context, the mystery Paul was speaking of is that the Gentiles are equal heirs with the Jews in the body of Christ (Eph 3:6, see note 3 at Eph 3:3). In Colossians, which is a companion teaching to the book of Ephesians (see Life for Today Study Bible Notes, Introduction to Ephesians), Paul said the mystery was "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col 1:27).

Note 12 at Eph 3:9: This verse states that all things were created by Jesus Christ. Isa 44:24 states, "I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself."

Since Jehovah stretched forth the heavens alone and spread abroad the earth by Himself, and since Jesus created all things (Joh 1:3, 10; 1Co 8:6; Col 1:16; and Heb 1:2), this again proves the deity of Jesus Christ and the unity of the Godhead.

The following are some passages in the Old Testament referring to Jehovah that in the New Testament are made to refer to Jesus Christ: Isa 44:6 with Re 1:17-18, Isa 40:3 with Mr 1:3, Nu 21:5-6 with 1Co 10:9, Joe 2:32 with Ro 10:13, Isa 45:23 with Php 2:10-11, Isa 6:1 with Joh 12:41-42, and 2Ki 17:35 with Col 3:24.