(3:4,5) His purpose in writing this epistle, then, is to enable them to better "understand" his "insight into the mystery of Christ,". "Understand" refers to their application of what they know to experience. They are to live in light of truth revealed. "Apostles" is understood to mean those men selected by the Lord Jesus and appointed to present the Gospel to Israel, and through Paul to the Gentiles. "Prophets" cannot mean the Old Testament prophets, for they were part of the "other generations" during which the "mystery" was not revealed. They are the New Testament "forth tellers" of the resurrected Lord Jesus who are taking the word of His ascension throughout the world in the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Old Testament