Ephesians 3:5

Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

In other ages - Greek, 'generations.'

Not made known. He does not say revealed. Making known by revelation is the source of making known by preaching (Bengel). Revelation was vouchsafed to the prophets alone, that they might make known the truth so revealed to men in general.

Unto the sons of men, [Hebrew, bªneey (H1121) 'aadaam (H120)] - people in their birth-state contrasted with the 'holy apostles and prophets,' holy men of God (2 Peter 1:21), illuminated "by the Spirit" (Greek, 'IN the Spirit:' cf. Revelation 1:10; Matthew 16:17).

As. The call of the Gentiles was known to the Old Testament prophets (Isaiah 56:6; Isaiah 49:6), but not with the same explicitness (1 Peter 1:10) "AS" it is now known (Acts 10:19; Acts 11:18; Luke 10:23; 1 John 1:1). They probably did not know that the Gentiles were to be admitted without circumcision, and on a level with the Jews in partaking of the grace of God. The full gift of "the Spirit" was reserved for the New Testament, that Christ might thereby be glorified. "Holy" marks the consecration of the New Testament "prophets" (here meant) by the Spirit, compared with which even the Old Testament prophets were but "sons "prophets" (here meant) by the Spirit, compared with which even the Old Testament prophets were but "sons of men" (Ezekiel 2:3).