by Jamie Pantastico | Nov 9, 2025 | Passage Breakdown, Romans |
📖 Passage Breakdown — Ephesians 1:17 — The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation
📜 Background, Setting & Purpose
✍️ Author:
The Apostle Paul, writing under divine inspiration.
👥 Written To:
The saints at Ephesus—and by extension, all members of the Body of Christ (Ephesians 1:1).
⏲️ When:
Around A.D. 60–62, during Paul’s imprisonment in Rome.
🌍 Setting & Purpose:
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is a revelation of the believer’s heavenly calling and position in Christ. It unveils the mystery of the Church—the Body of Christ—and the spiritual blessings freely given by grace.
In this section (Ephesians 1:15–23), Paul records one of his most profound prayers. He doesn’t pray for material blessings, but for spiritual understanding—that believers might grasp what God has already given them in Christ.
💡 Context & Flow of Paul’s Prayer
When you reach verse 15 and read, “Therefore I also…”, Paul is linking his prayer to everything he wrote in verses 1–14. I was taught long ago that whenever you see a “therefore” in Paul’s letters, always ask, “What is it there for?”
It’s there because of the incredible truths Paul just revealed—truths about the will of God, our position in Christ, redemption through His blood, and the sealing of the Holy Spirit. These doctrines are so profound, so divine, that Paul prays God the Father would give believers a spirit of wisdom and revelation—so that we might truly grasp them.
Paul knew that only the Holy Spirit can enlighten the believer’s heart to understand these spiritual realities. We can read the words, but only the Spirit can reveal their depth. That’s why Paul prays—not for new blessings—but for illumination, that we might know the One who has already blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3).
🔍 Ephesians 1:17
“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.”
✨ Phrase-by-Phrase Breakdown
“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ…”
- This phrase highlights the distinct relationship within the Godhead: Jesus, in His humanity, fully submitted to the Father’s will.
- Paul’s prayer begins with reverence—recognizing that all revelation and wisdom come from God the Father.
- This title emphasizes Christ’s mediatorial role and His glorified position at the Father’s right hand (Philippians 2:9–11).
“…the Father of glory…”
- God is the source and fountain of all glory—both His own and the glory He shares with believers.
- He is not only glorious but the origin of all glory. This reminds us that every insight or illumination we receive is for His glory, not ours (1 Corinthians 1:31).
“…may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation…”
- Paul isn’t asking for new truth to be revealed, but that believers would understand what has already been revealed.
- “Spirit of wisdom” refers to divine insight—the ability to see things as God sees them.
- “Revelation” refers to the unveiling of truth through the ministry of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10–12).
- This is the believer’s continual need: not more information, but illumination by the Spirit.
“…in the knowledge of Him.”
- The Greek word for knowledge (epignōsis) means deep, precise, experiential knowledge.
- Paul’s prayer is not for head knowledge, but heart transformation through knowing Christ personally.
- The more we understand who He is, the more we understand who we are in Him.
❌ What This Passage Does Not Mean
- It does not imply that revelation today equals new doctrine or prophecy.
- It does not suggest that believers lack the Holy Spirit—they already have Him (Ephesians 1:13–14).
- It does not mean we seek mystical experiences, but rather spiritual understanding of God’s Word.
✅ What It Does Mean
- God desires every believer to grow in spiritual understanding and intimacy with Christ.
- The Holy Spirit enlightens the eyes of our heart (v. 18) so we can comprehend God’s grace and calling.
- True knowledge of Christ brings stability, maturity, and worship.
🙏 Devotional Summary
Paul’s prayer should be our daily desire: that we would know Christ—not just know about Him, but know Him intimately.
The same Spirit who inspired Scripture now illuminates it for those who belong to Christ. Our understanding deepens not by striving, but by yielding to the Spirit of wisdom and revelation.
When we begin to see who Christ truly is—the Head of the Body, the fullness of God in human form—it changes everything about how we live, think, and worship.
“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.”
by Jamie Pantastico | Nov 8, 2025 | Paul's Gospel |
Gospel Sunday: The One True Gospel for Today
Every Sunday we refocus on the gospel—the good news that God the Son, Jesus Christ, died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1–4). This Sunday, we take a look at the clear distinctions between the “good news” that Peter proclaimed and the “good news” that Paul proclaimed.
Prayers and blessings to you all, in the precious name of Jesus. 🙏
📍 First, there is only one gospel for salvation today—Paul’s gospel.
Paul preached the good news according to the mystery—a divine secret hidden in the mind of God until it was revealed to him by the ascended and glorified Lord Jesus Christ, years after the cross.
“In the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.”
Romans 2:16
It absolutely matters to make the distinction between Peter’s message and Paul’s message.
Why? Because only one has the power unto salvation!
And blending the two (which 95 percent of Christendom does today) perverts Paul’s gospel, nullifying the grace of God.
The distinctions are undeniable if we simply read the text and stop relying on tradition. At the end of his ministry, Peter told his readers—his fellow Jews—that for salvation they needed to turn to Paul’s letters. He didn’t point them back to the Sermon on the Mount or to his preaching at Pentecost. He pointed them to Paul.
Peter recognized that the wisdom given to Paul by the Lord Jesus was now the only message for salvation—the gospel of the grace of God.
Paul Did Not Join Peter and the other Apostles
Paul didn’t continue what Peter started—he was entrusted with a brand-new revelation: the formation of a new body of believers made up of both Jews and Gentiles—the Church, the Body of Christ (Colossians 1:24–27). This “mystery” had been hidden in the mind of God since before time began, but was now revealed through Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles.
Through him, the floodgates of grace opened—offering salvation to all humanity, apart from Israel’s covenants, the Mosaic Law, and temple worship. For two thousand years—from Abraham to Stephen—Gentiles were considered unclean outsiders. God had set Israel apart from the nations because of their idolatry and corruption. But now, through Paul’s gospel, God was reconciling both Jew and Gentile to Himself by grace through faith alone in Christ’s finished work: that He died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day.
This message was revolutionary. Israel’s religious leaders viewed Paul as a heretic, and believing Jews from the Jerusalem church undermined his ministry—insisting Gentiles must be circumcised and keep the Law to be saved. Paul stood firm, proclaiming that salvation is by faith alone, not by any work—then or now. His gospel was so radical that the Lord took three years to personally teach and transform Paul, the zealous Pharisee, into the apostle of grace.
For Israel, the thought that their God—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—was now offering salvation to pagan Gentiles apart from the Law, apart from the temple, and apart from Judaism was unthinkable. Yet this was God’s eternal purpose now revealed: the glorious mystery of Christ and His Body, the Church.
“Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,
by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”
1 Corinthians 15:1–4
This one-page guide outlines the key distinctions in Scripture that help us rightly divide (2 Timothy 2:15) between God’s prophetic plan for Israel and the mystery program revealed to Paul for the Church, the Body of Christ.
1. Two Programs in God’s Plan
| Topic |
Prophecy Program (Israel) |
Mystery Program (Church) |
| Main Figure |
🕎 Peter and the 12 apostles |
✝️ Paul, apostle to the Gentiles |
| Audience |
🇮🇱 Nation of Israel (Jews) |
🌍 All nations, Jew and Gentile |
| Gospel |
📜 Gospel of the Kingdom (Matt. 10:5-7) |
💡 Gospel of Grace (1 Cor. 15:1-4) |
| Purpose |
👑 Earthly Kingdom promised to Israel |
🕊️ Heavenly inheritance for the Body of Christ |
| Key Revelation |
🔔 Prophesied “since the world began” (Acts 3:21) |
🔑 Hidden “since the world began” (Rom. 16:25) |
| Law & Ordinances |
📖 Kept and taught (Matt. 5:17-19) |
⚖️ Not under law (Rom. 6:14; Col. 2:14) |
| Baptism |
💧 Water baptism prominent (Acts 2:38) |
🔥 One spiritual baptism (1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 4:5) |
| Holy Spirit |
🔥 Given at Pentecost (Acts 2) |
🙌 Indwells every believer (1 Cor. 6:19) |
| Focus |
🕍 Nation of Israel, temple worship, prophecy fulfilled |
⛪ The Body of Christ, heavenly position, mystery |
| Timeline |
⏳ Genesis → Acts 7 and Rev. 6–19 |
🕰️ Romans → Philemon (Church Age) |
| Return of Christ |
🌅 Second Coming to Earth to reign as King (Rev. 19) |
👆Rapture of the Church to Heaven (1 Thess. 4:13-18) |
🟦 Blue Column: Represents Israel’s prophetic program.
🟨 Gold Column: Represents the Church’s mystery program.
Together, they reveal the fullness of God’s plan across dispensations.
Summary of the Mystery Revealed to Paul
- Salvation by grace through faith alone, apart from works (Ephesians 2:8–9)
- Jew and Gentile made one new man (Ephesians 3:6)
- The Body of Christ, not Israel (Colossians 1:24–27)
- The Rapture, not the Second Coming (1 Corinthians 15:51–52)
- The temporary blinding of Israel (Romans 11:25)
- Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27)
These truths were never known until God revealed them to Paul (Galatians 1:11–12).
Key Scriptures to Study
Romans 11:13, 16:25
1 Corinthians 15:1–4, 15:51–52
Galatians 1:11–12
Ephesians 2:8–9, 3:1–9
Colossians 1:24–27
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
by Jamie Pantastico | Nov 7, 2025 | Daily Devotional |
Devotional: The Creator on the Cross
Colossians 1:16–17 – “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible… All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.”
Context & Connection
The Lord Jesus Christ—God the Son—spoke the very words that brought all things into existence. He is not only the Author of creation but also its Sustainer. Every breath drawn, every heartbeat felt, every law of nature that holds together—exists because of Him.
Paul reminds us in Colossians 2:9 that “in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” The same God who spoke galaxies into being, took on flesh, and entered His own creation. He humbled Himself, walking the path to the cross for the very people He made.
Devotional Insight
He was nailed to a cross made from trees He created and died upon a hill He Himself had formed with His words. The very soldiers who drove the nails into His hands were His creation—men He knew by name before they were born.
This is the unfathomable love of God on display. The Creator willingly subjected Himself to the pain, rejection, and suffering of His own creation so that sinners could be reconciled to Him. The One who holds the universe together allowed Himself to be broken for our redemption.
When we grasp even a glimpse of this truth, pride and self-reliance fade. We stand in awe of a Savior who could have spoken one word and disintegrated the cross—but instead, He stayed. Love held Him there.
Encouragement for Today
Take a moment today to meditate on who Jesus truly is—God in flesh, the Creator of heaven and earth— “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).”
Every trial you face, every fear you carry, every burden you bear—He understands, because He entered into our humanity. The One who created all things also nailed your sin to the cross.
Let that truth steady your heart and renew your gratitude. The hands that formed the universe are the same hands that were pierced for you.
📖 Reading Plan:
- John 1:1–3 – In the beginning was the Word… and all things were made through Him.
- Colossians 1:15–20 – Christ, the image of the invisible God, holds all things together.
- Philippians 2:5–11 – He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even the death of the cross.
by Jamie Pantastico | Nov 7, 2025 | The Mysteries Revealed to Paul |
This is Part 1 of the series The Mysteries Revealed to Paul, exploring the divine truths hidden in God and revealed to the Apostle Paul.
Introduction
One of the most transformative truths in God’s word is recognizing the distinct roles of the Apostle Paul and the Twelve Apostles in God’s redemptive plan. Many assume Paul simply joined Peter’s team after his conversion—but Scripture reveals something radically different.
Paul was given a new message by revelation from the risen Lord Jesus Christ: the Gospel of the Grace of God and the unveiling of divine “mysteries” kept hidden since before the foundation of the world. In contrast, Peter and the Eleven preached the prophetic program—truths “spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21)
This post explores that crystal-clear distinction: what a “mystery” truly is, how God progressively revealed His plan, and why Paul’s unique apostleship changes how we understand the Church Age, and Israel’s future.
1. What Is a “Mystery” in Scripture?
The word mystery (mystērion, Greek) means a secret or hidden truth known only to God until He chooses to reveal it. It’s not a riddle to solve but a truth that was completely concealed until God made it known.
“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever.” — Deuteronomy 29:29
This verse establishes that God, in His sovereignty, keeps secrets and reveals them in His timing. Once revealed, they belong to us to believe and obey.
Paul uses mystery repeatedly in his epistles (Romans through Philemon) to describe truths that were hidden from the prophets, the Gospels, and early Acts.
“Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began.” — Romans 16:25–26
This stands in direct contrast to Peter’s message:
“Which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” — Acts 3:21
The prophetic program was foretold; Paul’s mysteries were hidden. This is the foundation for understanding God’s eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2. The Progressive Nature of Biblical Revelation
The Bible is a progressive revelation. God unfolded His truth in stages, through different people and dispensations, according to His sovereign purpose.
- To Moses, God gave the Law, establishing Israel as His covenant nation (Exodus 19:5–6).
- To the prophets, God revealed the coming Messiah and Israel’s restoration (Isaiah 9:6–7).
- To Peter and the Eleven, Christ entrusted the Gospel of the Kingdom, calling Israel to repentance (Matthew 10:5–7; Acts 2:36).
- To Paul, the ascended Lord revealed the Dispensation of Grace (Ephesians 3:2), unveiling mysteries never before made known—centered on the Body of Christ and salvation by grace through faith alone.
This progressive revelation means we cannot merge the Gospel of the Kingdom (prophecy) with the Gospel of Grace (mystery). Mixing them obscures God’s distinct purposes and leads to confusion.
3. Paul’s Unique Calling as the Apostle to the Gentiles
Paul’s apostleship was not a continuation of Peter’s ministry—it was a divine commissioning for a new dispensation.
“But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.’” — Acts 9:15
Unlike the Twelve—who were sent to Israel during Christ’s earthly ministry—Paul was sent to the Gentiles with a new message of grace.
“For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry.” — Romans 11:13
Paul emphasized that his gospel came directly from the risen Lord, not from man:
“But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.” — Galatians 1:11–12
At the Jerusalem Council, the distinction between Paul’s ministry and Peter’s was formally recognized:
“They saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter.” — Galatians 2:7–9
Paul’s revelation of the Body of Christ was unknown to Peter and the Eleven. Their message was prophetic; Paul’s was mysterious—hidden until revealed through him.
4. Biblical Timeline
5. The Eight Mysteries Revealed to Paul
To grasp the magnitude of Paul’s apostleship, consider the eight divine mysteries revealed exclusively to him—truths defining the Church Age.
| Mystery |
Reference |
Explanation |
| 1. Mystery of His Will |
Ephesians 1:9–10 |
God’s plan to reconcile all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth, apart from Israel’s covenants. |
| 2. Mystery of Christ |
Ephesians 3:3–6 |
Christ as Head of the Body, uniting Jew and Gentile equally in one spiritual organism. |
| 3. Mystery of the Body of Christ |
Colossians 1:24–27 |
The Church—Christ indwelling believers—was hidden from past generations. |
| 4. Mystery of God |
Colossians 2:1–3 |
Reveals the fullness of the Triune God in Christ, the source of all wisdom and completeness. |
| 5. Mystery of Godliness |
1 Timothy 3:16 |
God manifest in flesh, justified in Spirit, preached among Gentiles—revealed as the pattern for godly living. |
| 6. Mystery of Israel’s Blinding |
Romans 11:25 |
Israel’s partial, temporary blindness until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in. |
| 7. Mystery of the Rapture |
1 Corinthians 15:51–52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 |
The sudden translation of the Church—a truth never prophesied. |
| 8. Mystery of Iniquity |
2 Thessalonians 2:7 |
The restrained power of lawlessness that will culminate in the rise of the Antichrist after the Rapture. |
6. The Undeniable Contrast
The difference between Peter’s prophetic gospel and Paul’s revealed mysteries is undeniable:
| Peter’s Prophetic Program |
Paul’s Mystery Program |
| Spoken “since the world began” (Acts 3:21) |
Hidden “since the world began” (Romans 16:25) |
| Focused on Israel and the earthly kingdom |
Focused on Jew and Gentile in one Body |
| Message: repentance, baptism, Messiah’s reign (Acts 2:38) |
Message: grace through faith alone (1 Corinthians 15:1–4) |
| Law still in operation |
Law nailed to the Cross (Colossians 2:14) |
| Earthly hope in the Kingdom |
Heavenly hope in Christ (Philippians 3:20–21) |
Peter’s ministry looked forward to Israel’s restoration; Paul’s revelation unveiled a new Body of believers destined for heaven.
7. End-Time Events: Magnified, Not Diminished
Recognizing Paul’s distinct message doesn’t diminish prophecy—it magnifies it. The mystery of the Church Age fills the prophetic gap between Israel’s rejection and her future restoration.
“Blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” — Romans 11:25
Israel’s blindness is partial, not permanent. When the Church is caught up, God will resume His dealings with Israel, fulfilling every promise and covenant (Romans 11:26–29). God’s faithfulness to Israel guarantees His faithfulness to us.
8. Why This Matters
Understanding this distinction changes everything. It clears confusion about salvation, the Church, and prophecy. We are not under Israel’s law or kingdom program but under grace.
“For you are not under law but under grace.” — Romans 6:14
Paul’s epistles (Romans–Philemon) are God’s instructions for the Church today. They reveal our position in Christ, our heavenly hope, and our walk under grace until the trumpet sounds.
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout… and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17
Conclusion
The crystal-clear distinction between Paul’s mysteries and the prophetic program is the key to understanding God’s great plan of salvation. God’s prophetic dealings with Israel were paused, not canceled, to make room for this present dispensation of grace.
Paul’s mysteries unveil the hidden purpose of God: one Body, one Head, one heavenly hope. Understanding these truths illuminates all Scripture and magnifies the faithfulness of God.
Scripture References
Acts 3:21; Romans 16:25–26; Ephesians 3:2–6; Galatians 1:11–12; Romans 11:25–29; Colossians 1:24–27; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; 2 Timothy 2:15; Deuteronomy 29:29.
🔄 Continue the Series
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→ Part 2 – The Mystery of His Will
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by Jamie Pantastico | Nov 4, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
The Contrast Between Wages and the Gift — Romans 6:23
Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Context & Connection
The Apostle Paul draws one of Scripture’s most striking contrasts in this single verse—wages versus gift, death versus life. Romans 6:23 captures the essence of the gospel in just a few words. It shows us the tragic outcome of sin (old Adam) and the glorious hope found only in Christ.
Paul’s language is deliberate. Wages are earned—something we work for, something owed; paid out by old Adam. A gift, on the other hand, is freely given by God—One belongs to the old nature, the other to the new creation.
Passage Breakdown
The first half of the verse—“For the wages of sin is death”—speaks to every person born under Adam. The old Adamic nature, the one we’re all born with, knows only one direction: toward death. Eternal separation from God. Everything the unbeliever does—whether seemingly good or bad—apart from faith in Christ, only adds to that debt.
Wages are never a gift. They are payment—what we rightfully earn for what we’ve done. And the sobering truth is this: sin “old Adam” always pays its wages in full.
But then comes the glorious flip side: “But the gift of God is eternal life…”
This is where the entire tone of Scripture shifts—from what man earns to what God freely gives. Salvation is not something we can earn, deserve, or add to. It is a divine gift—purchased by the blood of Christ and offered freely to all who believe the gospel.
Paul emphasizes this again in Ephesians 2:8–9:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Wages come from effort. Gifts come from grace. And grace is the heart of the gospel.
Encouragement
The beauty of Romans 6:23 lies in its contrast. The first half reminds us of what we deserve and what we earn in our lost estate; the second half reveals what God freely gives to all who believe the gospel.
We could never work enough, strive enough, or clean ourselves up enough to earn eternal life. It must be received as a gift—by faith alone in the finished work of Christ.
If you have trusted Him, your wages have been paid in full at the cross, and the gift of eternal life is already yours.
So today, rest in the wonder of God’s amazing grace. Celebrate the gift. And remember—while sin (old Adam) pays wages unto death, God gives life, and life eternal.
📖 Reading Plan:
- Romans 5:15–18 – The contrast between Adam and Christ.
- Ephesians 2:8–9 – Salvation is the gift of God.
- Titus 3:4–7 – Not by works of righteousness, but by His mercy He saved us.
