Ephesians 3 · Verse 5

Ephesians 3:5

Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Ephesians 3:5, King James Version

Ephesians 3:5 in other translations

BSBwhich was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.
WEBwhich 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,
ASVwhich in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
YLTwhich in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it was now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit--
DARBYwhich in other generations has not been made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the power of the Spirit,
BBEWhich in other generations was not given to the sons of men, but the revelation of it has now been made to his holy Apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
WebsterWhich in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

What does Ephesians 3:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5. in other ages--Greek, "generations." not made known--He does not say, "has not been revealed." Making known by revelation is the source of making known by preaching [Bengel]. The former was vouchsafed only to the prophets, in order that they might make known the truth so revealed to men in general. unto the sons of men--men in their state by birth, as contrasted with those illuminated "by the Spirit" (Greek, "IN the Spirit," compare Re 1:10), Mt 16:17. as--The mystery of the call of the Gentiles (of which Paul speaks here) was not unknown to the Old Testament prophets (Is 56:6, 7; 49:6). But they did not know it with the same explicit distinctness "As" it has been now known (Ac 10:19, 20; 11:18-21). They probably did not know that the Gentiles were to be admitted without circumcision or that they were to be on a level with the Jews in partaking of the grace of God. The gift of "the Spirit" in its fulness was reserved for the New Testament that Christ might thereby be glorified. The epithet, "holy," marks the special consecration of the New Testament "prophets" (who are here meant) by the Spirit, compared with which even the Old Testament prophets were but "sons of men" (Eze 2:3, and elsewhere).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 5. Which in other ages. The great purposes of God in regard to the salvation of mankind were not revealed. Rom 16:25.

And prophets. Those who exercised the office of a prophet or inspired teacher in the Christian church. 1Cor 12:1.

By the Spirit. This proves that those who exercised the office of prophet in the Christian church were inspired. They were persons endowed in this manner for the purpose of imparting to the newly-formed churches the doctrines of the Christian system. There is no evidence that this was designed to be a permanent order of men in the church. They were necessary for settling the church on a permanent basis, in the absence of a full written revelation, and when the apostles were away. When the volume of revelation was finished, and the doctrines of the gospel were fully understood, the functions of the office ceased.

(b) "made known" Mt 13:17, Rom 16:25, 1Pet 1:10-12

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 5 Which in other ages was not made known - That the calling of the Gentiles was made known by the prophets in different ages of the Jewish Church is exceedingly clear; but it certainly was not made known in that clear and precise manner in which it was now revealed by the Spirit unto the ministers of the New Testament: nor was it made known unto them at all, that the Gentiles should find salvation without coming under the yoke of the Mosaic law, and that the Jews themselves should be freed from that yoke of bondage; these were discoveries totally new, and now revealed for the first time by the Spirit of God.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ephesians 3:1-7

For having preached the doctrine of truth, the apostle was a prisoner, but a prisoner of Jesus Christ; the object of special protection and care, while thus suffering for him. All the gracious offers of the gospel, and the joyful tidings it contains, come from the rich grace of God; it is the great means by which the Spirit works grace in the souls of men. The mystery, is that secret, hidden purpose of salvation…

Read the full comment on Ephesians 3:1-7 →

Ephesians 3:5 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὃhowhichG3739
ἑτέραιςheteraisin otherG2087
γενεαῖςgeneaisgenerationsG1074
οὐκouknotG3756
ἐγνωρίσθηegnōristhēwas made knownG1107
τοῖςtoisto theG3588
υἱοῖςhuioissonsG5207
τῶνtōn<the>G3588
ἀνθρώπωνanthrōpōnof menG444
ὡςhōsasG5613
νῦνnunnowG3568
ἀπεκαλύφθηapekaluphthēit has been revealedG601
τοῖςtoisto theG3588
ἁγίοιςhagioisholyG40
ἀποστόλοιςapostoloisapostlesG652
αὐτοῦautouof HisG846
καὶkaiandG2532
προφήταιςprophētaisto [his] prophetsG4396
ἐνeninG1722
πνεύματι,pneumati[the] Spirit,G4151

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Ephesians 3:5

  • 1 Peter 1:10-12

    Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

  • 2 Peter 3:2

    That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

  • Jude 1:17

    But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

  • Titus 1:1-3

    Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

  • Ephesians 2:20

    And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

  • Ephesians 3:9

    And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

  • Acts 10:28

    And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

  • Luke 10:24

    For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

  • Matthew 13:17

    For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

  • John 14:26

    But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

  • John 16:13

    Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

  • Romans 16:25

    Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
in other.
9; Mt 13:17; Lu 10:24; Ac 10:28; Ro 16:25; 2Ti 1:10,11; Tit 1:1-3
Heb 11:39,40; 1Pe 1:10-12
as it.
2:20; 4:11,12; Mt 23:34; Lu 11:49; 1Co 12:28,29; 2Pe 3:2; Jude 1:17
by.
Lu 2:26,27; Joh 14:26; 16:13; Ac 10:19,20,28; 1Co 12:8-10

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Ephesians 3:4

    Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

  • Ephesians 3:5

    Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

  • Ephesians 3:6

    That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Read all of Ephesians 3

Ephesians 3:5 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		El cual misterio en los otros siglos no se dió á conocer á los hijos de los hombres como ahora es revelado á sus santos apóstoles y profetas en el Espíritu:
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		lequel, en d’autres générations, n’a pas été donné à connaître aux fils des hommes, comme il a été maintenant révélé à ses saints apôtres et prophètes par l’Esprit:
German
Elberfelder 1871		welches in anderen Geschlechtern den Söhnen der Menschen nicht kundgetan worden, wie es jetzt geoffenbart worden ist seinen heiligen Aposteln und Propheten im Geiste:
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		quod aliis generationibus non est agnitum filiis hominum, sicuti nunc revelatum est sanctis apostolis ejus et prophetis in Spiritu,