The Nature of True Apostleship

4 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants^(A) of Christ and as those entrusted^(B) with the mysteries^(C) God has revealed.

¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.^(A) I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

²⁵ Now to him who is able^(A) to establish you in accordance with my gospel,^(B) the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery^(C) hidden for long ages past, ²⁶ but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings^(D) by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from^[a] faith^(E)—

⁷ No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery^(A) that has been hidden^(B) and that God destined for our glory before time began. ⁸ None of the rulers of this age^(C) understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.^(D)

² Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me^(A) for you, ³ that is, the mystery^(B) made known to me by revelation,^(C) as I have already written briefly. ⁴ In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight^(D) into the mystery of Christ, ⁵ which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.^{(E) 6} This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs^(F) together with Israel, members together of one body,^(G) and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.^(H)

⁹ and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery,^(A) which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. ¹⁰ His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God^(B) should be made known^(C) to the rulers and authorities^(D) in the heavenly realms,^(E)

²⁵ I have become its servant^(A) by the commission God gave me^(B) to present to you the word of God^(C) in its fullness— ²⁶ the mystery^(D) that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. ²⁷ To them God has chosen to make known^(E) among the Gentiles the glorious riches^(F) of this mystery, which is Christ in you,^(G) the hope of glory.

² My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart^(A) and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery^(B) of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.^(C)

¹⁶ Beyond all question, the mystery^(A) from which true godliness^(B) springs is great: