which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
The Old Testament prophets did know something of the Gentiles' calling, but not with the same explicit distinctness we now possess. They missed the crucial truth: that Gentiles would enter without circumcision, on equal footing with Jews in God's grace. The Spirit's fullness was reserved for the New Testament, that Christ might be glorified.
AI summary
The mystery of the Gentiles' calling was to be fulfilled under Christ's reign, so it remained hidden until His coming. But the prophets proclaimed it in many places, nations worshipping God, an altar in Egypt, all speaking Canaan's language, dominion from east to west. How could what was proclaimed by so many heralds be called unknown?
AI summary
I suffer as Christ's prisoner for preaching that the gospel's privileges belong to believing Gentiles no less than Jews. Though the world condemns me and cast me into prison, Christ owns His servants in their suffering; faithful ministers must dispense His sacred truths, however disagreeable to some, whatever the cost to themselves.
AI summary
Commenting on Ephesians 3:1-13