3:9 the mystery. A term used elsewhere by Paul to refer to the revealed truth of the gospel (v. 16; Rom. 16:25, 26; 1 Cor. 2:7; 4:1; Eph. 1:9; 3:3–9; 6:19; Col. 1:26, 27; 2:2; 4:3). Perhaps some of the deacons at Ephesus had been taken in by the false teaching.