Scripture interpretation

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Katja

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Hi Im new here…

Hello to everyone. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to post.

I was wondering if anyone can shed light on what this scripture means.

Ephesians 3:10 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

10His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,

What does it mean?
 
Welcome Katja! Come here and post often! Lots of smart people here, I have learned a lot!

Here is what I take this to mean - God has just triumphed not only in redeeming the unseemly man from sin through His son, but He has, through Christ, united the Jews and the Galatians.

His “Manifold wisdom” (multifaceted) is being revealed to the Angels in heaven, who are interested in man’s redemption. Peter refers to the angels watching God’s lesson to them on earth also, in 1 Peter. This is a lesson for those in Heaven, to watch the miracle of God’s glory in saving us.
 
In reference to this verse, A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, edited by Bernard Orchard, published by Thomas Nelson & Sons: 1953, on page 1123, it says:

Even the angels will come to know the merciful, manifold, and eternal wisdom of God, as they watch the Church continuing Christ’s mission on earth.
 
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Katja:
Hi Im new here…

Hello to everyone. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to post.

I was wondering if anyone can shed light on what this scripture means.

Ephesians 3:10 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

10His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,

What does it mean?
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From Douay-Rheims bible commentary:

The mystery hidden from former ages was discovered to the apostle [Paul], to be imparted to the Gentiles. He prays that they may be strengthened in God.

drbo.org/chapter/56003.htm
 
From the *Navarre Bible * Commentary:
[10]…that through the church the manifold wisdom of God
might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the
heavenly places. [11] This was according to the eternal purpose which
he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, [12] in whom we have boldness
and confidence of access through our faith in him.
Click to expand...
Commentary:
Click to expand...
10-12. This text shows that the apostolic ministry of preaching has a
universal, cosmic, impact. Thanks to the Church’s preaching of “the
mystery”, it is made known not only to mankind but also to the
principalities and powers of the heavens. This preaching reveals the
hidden, eternal plans of salvation whereby Jews and Gentiles, by being
converted to Christ, come to have an equal place in the Church, and
this fact in turn reveals the “mystery” of salvation even to the angels
(cf. 1 Pet 1 :12), who come to realize the harmony that lies in God’s
various interventions in the course of history, from the Creation to
the Redemption, including the history of the people of Israel.
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The “principalities” and “powers” refer to the angelic powers which,
according to Jewish belief, were the promulgators and guardians of the
Law and whose mission included the government of men. But these
“powers” did not know what God’s plans were until they were carried out
by Christ and his Church. In this passage St Paul does not say anything
about whether these powers are good or evil (cf. note on 1:21). What he
does re-assert, very clearly, is Christ’s supremacy over all these
powers, and the Church’s role in bringing all creation to recognize
that Christ is Lord of all. Therefore, the powers in the heavenly
places no longer have any mastery over the Christian: through faith in
Christ he acquires the freedom of a son of God and is able to address
God confidently.
Click to expand...
St Jerome, St Thomas and others interpret “the principalities and
powers” as being good angels, like the “thrones” and “dominions” (cf.
Col 1:16) and “virtutes” (“powers”: cf. Eph 1:21). If we add to these
titles appearing in St Paul’s letters those to be found in other books
of Sacred Scripture–cherubim, seraphim, archangels and angels–we get
the nine angelic hierarchies known to tradition. The names simply
reflect the qualities with which angels are endowed: they are spiritual
beings, personal and free; they are incorporeal and because they are
pure spirits, they have intellect, will and power far in excess of
man’s.
Click to expand...
 
Thank you everyone!

I think what Im getting from you is that the mystery of God providing salvation to us was not known to the angels from the beginning even though God knwe he was going to do it from the beginning.

From the scripture I gather that they mysteries of god are revealed by the Holy Spirit to humans who “preach” this good news to all and including the angels!

But why would God keep the mystery hidden from angels?
And what is the significance of the angels becoming informed of the plan?

Can we fully say taking all into account, that the full will has been revealed, or that instead it is an ongoing process?

Hope to hear from you all soon. Thank you again for your response.
 
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