King James Bible Dictionary

The calling of the Gentiles into the Christian Church, so designated (Ephesians 1:9, 10; 3:8-11; Colossians 1:25-27); a truth undiscoverable except by revelation, long hid, now made manifest. The resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:51), and other doctrines which need to be explained but which cannot be fully understood by finite intelligence (Matthew 13:11; Romans 11:25; 1 Corinthians 13:2); the union between Christ and his people symbolized by the marriage union (Ephesians 5:31, 32; comp. 6:19); the seven stars and the seven candlesticks (Revelation 1:20); and the woman clothed in scarlet (17:7), are also in this sense mysteries. The anti-Christian power working in his day is called by the apostle (2 Thessalonians 2:7) the "mystery of iniquity."

MYS'TERY, noun [Latin mysterium; Gr. a secret. This word in Greek is rendered also murium latibulum; but probably both senses are from that of hiding or shutting; Gr. to shut, to conceal.

1. A profound secret; something wholly unknown or something kept cautiously concealed, and therefore exciting curiosity or wonder; such as the mystery of the man with the iron mask in France.

2. In religion, any thing in the character or attributes of

God, or in the economy of divine providence, which is not revealed to man.

3. That which is beyond human comprehension until explained. In this sense, mystery often conveys the idea of something awfully sublime or important; something that excites wonder.

Great is the mystery of godliness. 1 Timothy 3:9.

Having made known to us the mystery of his will. Ephesians 1:9.

We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery 1 Corinthians 2:7.

4. An enigma; any thing artfully made difficult.

5. A kind of ancient dramatic representation.

6. A trade; a calling; any mechanical occupation which supposes skill or knowledge peculiar to those who carry it on, and therefore a secret to others.

[The word in the latter sense has been supposed to have a different origin from the foregoing, viz.]