<p>3:5 <i>This in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit</i>- The &quot;other generations&quot; could equally be rendered &quot;other ages&quot;, as if Paul recognized the Jewish division of human history into ages. The inclusion of the Gentiles is stated in the Old Testament, both directly and obliquely. But the obvious truth had not been &quot;made known&quot; or &quot;revealed&quot;. Just as we noted on :4 that the Spirit would give the Ephesians understanding of the written word so that they 'got it', likewise Paul is saying that all those Old Testament references (which he himself brings to our attention in his letters) needed &quot;the Spirit&quot; to reveal their (now) obvious meaning. And the Lord worked through the apostles and New Testament prophets to make that revelation- through His Spirit. This is yet more evidence that man does not face off against God over an open Bible alone; the Spirit reveals the meaning at the right time.</p>