What does Ephesians 3:6 mean?

This mystery revealed to the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 3:5) included three aspects. First, that Gentile and Jewish believers in the Messiah are now equal members in a spiritual family. Second, Gentiles are "members of the same body" with Jewish believers. The church, from the very beginning, consisted of all people who believed in Jesus, not merely those of Jewish descent.

Third, the gospel was not limited to Jews, but was available for all who would believe (Romans 1:16). This was why Jesus could command the disciples to make disciples of all nations or people groups (Matthew 28:18–20). Paul was specifically called as a missionary to the Gentiles. This included the Ephesian Christians, who were nearly all Gentiles. As Paul would note in Galatians 3:28, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

These ideas would have been comforting for Gentile Christians, and challenging for Jewish Christians. The long-standing barrier between Jews and Gentiles was now meaningless, with all believers united in Christ.