Final answer:
The mystery that Paul showed the Corinthians was the mystery of the resurrection. Paul refers to the gospel as a mystery, with a focus on the transformative experience of Jesus' resurrection, which he likens to the role of stewards entrusted with God's plan.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mystery that Paul showed the Corinthians is C) the mystery of the resurrection. The apostle Paul uses the term mysterion in his writings, indicating something that was once hidden but is now revealed through Christ. In his First Letter to the Corinthians, Paul speaks of the message of the gospel as a mystery and likens his role and that of the other apostles to stewards of this mystery (1 Corinthians 4:1). The heart of his message, centered around the resurrection of Jesus, offers an understanding of God's plan for salvation (Romans 11:25). The term mysterion also connects with the broader religious context of the time, where Mystery religions focused on themes such as death and resurrection, emphasizing transformative experiences. While some historical arguments have sought to connect the emergence of Christianity with the influence of pagan mystery religions, mainstream New Testament scholarship generally dismisses these links as significant in understanding Paul's use of the term mystery. Instead, the mysteries that Paul reveals are intrinsic to the Christian faith, particularly the belief in the resurrection as the fulfillment of God's plan for humanity.