Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Ephesians 1:10

"unto a dispensation of the fulness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth; in him, [I say,]" — Ephesians 1:10 (ASV)

What God has thus revealed is the mystery concerning his will. “Mystery” (GK 3696) is a recurring term in this letter (3:3–4, 9; 5:32; 6:19). Here, as in the rest of the NT, it simply means a truth once hidden but now made known (Romans 11:25; Colossians 1:26; cf. Matthew 13:11, 35). For many Jews in Paul’s day, the secret plan of God would become apparent at the end of the age. In the NT the unlocking of that mystery has now taken place by virtue of Christ’s appearance in the flesh, and there is no need to wait till the last day. This affirmation may be intended to counteract the incipient Gnosticism appearing in Asia Minor (see introduction to Colossians). “Us” covers all believers (cf. “we” in vv.11–12).

All this is in accordance with God’s “pleasure” (as in v.5), which has been set out in Christ (cf. v.11; Romans 1:13; Romans 3:25). From all eternity, the Father cherished in his own mind a plan “to be put into effect” (GK 3873) in Christ (cf. 3:9). This has now been revealed to the church through Paul. In the rest of Ephesians the content of the plan is more fully elaborated. Here the apostle restricts himself to a brief summary.

This plan takes place when the messianic age is inaugurated. Salvation history is regarded as unfolding in a series of “times” (GK 2789) that reach their climax in the advent of Christ (Galatians 4:4). The Christian era has still to run its course, however, and not until its close will God’s eternal purpose come to full fruition (Acts 1:6). Then universal reconciliation will be achieved; God will “bring... together under one head” (GK 368) everything in heaven and on earth under Christ (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:24–28). This recognition of Christ’s preeminence will ensure that the original harmony of the universe is restored (Romans 8:18–21). Christ’s mission extends beyond the human race and assumes cosmic dimensions.