Meaning of MYSTERY

Term from the religious vocabulary of the Greeks, designating a particular doctrine and secret practices.

Only the initiated participated in the rites and solemn purifications or orgies of the pagan mysteries (Orphic, Eleusinian, Cybele, Isis and Osiris, Mithras, etc.) mysteries.

In the NT, this term expresses an action or dispensation of God kept secret until the precise and determined hour (Rom. 16:25-26) or until the Holy Spirit has prepared the man for the reception of the communication (Mk. 4:11).

A "mystery" thus revealed must not be kept secret, but on the contrary, proclaimed in public: the mystery hidden throughout the centuries is now manifested and made known to all nations (Rom. 16:25-26) ; This mystery, of which Paul had knowledge, had not been revealed to previous generations, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to the holy apostles and prophets of Christ (Eph. 3:3-5, 9; Col. 1:26 , 27).

The faithful are today the dispensers, that is, not only the administrators, but also the divulgers of the mysteries of God (1 Cor. 4:1). However, the mystery contains a supernatural element that surpasses man despite the revelation given.

We only know in part (1 Cor. 13:12); We will need eternity to fathom the deep things of God. Paul is the one who, due to his very calling, makes the most frequent mention of the word "mystery" (22 times in the Greek).

The main biblical mysteries are: (a) The mystery of the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 13:350; cf. v. 11). (b) The mystery of salvation in Jesus Christ (Rom. 16:25, 26) also called the mystery of godliness (1 Tim. 3:16), of faith (1 Tim. 3:9), of the Gospel (Eph. . 6:19, 20)

(c) The mystery of God, and of "Christ in us", the hope of glory (Col. 1:26, 27; 2:2-3; cf. 1 Cor. 2:7; cf. also Rev. 10 :7)

(d) The mystery of the Church, the body of Christ, composed of believers from Judaism and paganism (Eph. 3:6).

(e) The mystery of the rapture of the Church (1 Cor. 15:51-52; 1 Thes. 4:14-17).

(f) The mystery of the hardening of a part of Israel during the Church age (Rom. 11:25).

(g) The mystery of iniquity (2 Thes. 2:7), which will be fully revealed in the appearance of Antichrist.

(h) The mystery of Babylon, the great harlot (Rev. 17:5-7), that is, of the false religion unmasked at the end of time.

In the Vulgate, the Greek term "mysterion" has been translated by the Latin. "sacramentum", "sacrament" in Spanish.

This is what the Church of Rome has relied on to establish its seven sacraments, which have no true relationship with the "mysteries" of the NT.

Furthermore, baptism and the Supper are not at all called sacraments or mysteries by Christ or the apostles, and this term is not used in the corresponding texts.