The Orthodox Study Bible: Mystery
Preface
A September 18, 2020 article revised with significant additions on November 26, 2023, in order to place a version of this article on academia.edu.
I continue from my Reformed Christian tradition to use this fine academic source for review:
Mystery
Glossary: Reverend John W. Morris, Ph.D.
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'Mystery' (803)
'The ways of God, especially God's plan for salvation, which cannot be known with the rational, finite, human mind, but can be experienced only by the revelation of God.' (803). It is also noted that the Orthodox Church views mystery as an aspect of the sacraments. (803).
Verses I have noted from the Orthodoxy text:
Mark 4:11
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
11 And He was saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables,...
1 Corinthians 2:7
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7 but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory;...
Ephesians 5:32
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.
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Mysterious examples
When I looked up the three verses cited within the Mystery entry, I was expecting at least one example to be an attempt at a direct reference to the sacraments, as support for Orthodox theology in regards to sacraments and mystery. But in my humble opinion, none of the verses connect directly to the sacraments.
In agreement with the entry, the first two verses, at least, do connect to salvation and in my words, the mystery of the Kingdom of God. Mark 4:11 is within the labeled section Why Parables? (92) and the mystery of the Kingdom of God. The 1 Corinthians 2:7 section is labeled as Understanding Unity: Wisdom of the Spirit (379), and the mystery of the workings of God the Holy Spirit. According to the text's heading, the third example, Ephesians 5: 32 in within The Mystery of Marriage (451) section.
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μυστήριον (root word)
Part of Speech
neuter noun
Root Word (Etymology)
From a derivative of muo (to shut the mouth)
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In classical Greek a hidden thing, secret, mystery
Verses and Greek inflections:
Mark 4: 11 μυστήριον
Noun: Accusative Singular Neuter
1 Corinthians 2: 7 μυστηρίῳ Noun: Parsing:
Dative Singular Neuter
According to Greek scholar, Bauer from pages 530-531:
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'μυστήριον (ου το)' (530)
Defined as 'secret, secret rite, secret teaching, mystery'. (530). In Mark 4: 11 with μυστήριον, same as the root word. Bauer writes that is the gospels this term is only found in one context 'where Jesus says to the disciples who have asked for an explanation of the parables (s)'. (530). Bauer explains that there are parallels in the synoptics with Matthew 13: 11 and Luke 8: 10. (530).
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Matthew 13: 11: μυστήρια from the root μυστήριον (mystērion)
Luke 8: 10: μυστήρια from the root μυστήριον (mystērion)
The Bauer text states that the Pauline version of μυστήριον occurs in '21 places' (530) and is defined as 'A secret or mystery, too profound for human ingenuity...'. (530). The mystery of the gospel and Christ, as the 'secret of Christ 4: 3 (Colossians, my add) is proclaimed' (530). This connects to also Romans 16: 25 and 1 Corinthians 2 (530). Bauer notes with 2:7 'secretly, so that no unauthorized person would learn of it'. (531). With Ephesians 5: 32 where 'A unique great mystery is revealed'. (530).
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Mysterious theology
Appealing to mystery, may occur theologically because of lack of significant cumulative evidences. I can admit that appealing to mystery is often an intellectual quote 'cop-out', as pointed out to me by Dr. William Kay, Wales, my MPhil, United Kingdom, academic tutor. But, I am not stating therefore that it is always error to state 'I do not know'. Not knowing is an aspect of being finite (lacking omniscience) and sinful (although believers are justified, sanctified and eventually resurrected through the applied atoning and resurrection work of Jesus Christ, Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, Galatians, Hebrews), in contrast to God's infinite and holy nature. Appealing to mystery and that which is secret is also an aspect of living within a reasonable, rational, Christian faith and philosophy.
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COAD, F. ROY (1986) ‘Galatians’, in F.F. Bruce (gen.ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Marshall Pickering/ Zondervan.
COURSON, JON (2005) Application Commentary, Thomas Nelson, Nashville.
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ELWELL, WALTER AND YARBROUGH, ROBERT W., Third Edition (2013) Encountering The New Testament, Grand Rapids, Baker Academic.
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