The Foundation and the Cornerstone
EPHESIANS 2:19-22
IN THIS WEEK’S BLOG, VV. 19-22 OF CHAPTER 2 PROVIDE A SUMMARY conclusion to the passage we have been studying for the past couple of weeks, namely the union of both Jewish believers in Christ and Gentile believers in Christ into one body, the Church. Gentiles, you’ll remember, are all peoples who are not Jews…
THIS UNION, AS WE HAVE LEARNED, WAS MADE POSSIBLE ONLY THROUGH THE sacrifice of the Lord Jesus on the Cross. Jesus is the peace that brought the two hostile groups together. Look again with me at our passage from last week…
NAS Ephesians 2:14-18 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
PAUL IS TELLING HIS READERS IN VV. 11-22 THAT the plight of alienation from God, which both the Jew and Gentile experienced before the Cross, is overcome by God’s grace and the gracious privilege of life with God…
OUR PASSAGE FOR THIS WEEK IS EPHESIANS 2:19-22…
NAS Ephesians 2:19-22 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
“PAUL CLOSES HIS DISCUSSION OF THE MARVELOUS UNITY OF THE BODY of Christ by giving three metaphors (examples, word pictures – TAR) to illustrate it. In the picture of fellow citizens he shows how Jew and Gentile have become part of the same kingdom. In the picture of God’s household he shows how all believers are one spiritual family in Christ. And thirdly, in the picture of a holy temple in the Lord Paul shows that all believers are together a habitation for God.”– MacArthur…
IN OUR PASSAGE, JEWISH AND GENTILE BELIEVERS ARE PICTURED by Paul as (1) fellow citizens, (2) members of God’s household, and (3) living stones of a holy temple. Look again at v. 19…
NAS Ephesians 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household,
THE “YOU” IN V. 19 IS REFERRING TO GENTILE BELIEVERS. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, these Gentile believers are no longer strangers and aliens, far off from God, but are now fellow citizens with the saints. The saints are the universal Church, all the believers throughout history. “These Gentile believers become a part of the company of the redeemed of all ages beginning with Adam.” Hoehner (B.K.C.)…
BUT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT WE UNDERSTAND THAT PAUL IS NOT SAYING THAT the church has become one with Israel. While there are many similarities between the two bodies, they have always been distinct, and are distinct today. Neither is Paul saying that the church inherits the blessings promised to Israel…
THERE ARE THREE REASONS THIS IS NOT SO: “(1) In the context Paul was discussing the ‘one new man.’” – Hoehner (B.K.C.)…
NAS Ephesians 2:15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,
IN V. 16, PAUL REFERS TO THIS AS “ONE NEW BODY”…
NAS Ephesians 2:16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.
“ENMITY” IS HOSTILITY…
WHILE SOME MAY MISTAKENLY TAKE PAUL’S WORDS TO MEAN THAT the Church and the Nation of Israel are now the same, this is not so. “Paul does not mean that Gentiles are incorporated into Israel. He is, however, saying that believing Jews and Gentiles are now incorporated into one new ‘humanity.’” – Hoehner (B.K.C.)…
I REALIZE THIS MAY BE CONFUSING FOR SOME TO UNDERSTAND, BUT because this is such an important point, bear with me as I try to explain this to you…
WHILE JEWS AND GENTILES WHO BELIEVE IN CHRIST DO INDEED become united into one body of believers, that is, the Church, nevertheless, the distinction between the Church and the Nation of Israel remains intact…
THE CHURCH IS NOT ISRAEL, AND ISRAEL IS NOT THE CHURCH. The two entities have never been the same; they are not the same today; and they will not be the same in the future. Even though Jews who believe in Christ and Gentiles who believe in Christ become fellow citizens in the kingdom of God…
LET ME SAY THE SAME THING ANOTHER WAY. While both the individual Jew and the individual Gentile who believe in Christ become one in the body of Christ, the corporate bodies of Israel and the Church do not become one…
THE SECOND REASON THAT PAUL IS NOT SAYING THAT THE CHURCH AND Israel have become the same entity is “(2) Paul specifically stated that Gentiles are incorporated ‘with God’s people’ and are in ‘God’s household’(v. 19); he did not use the word ‘Israel.’” – Hoehner (B.K.C.)…
NAS Ephesians 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household,
“IF PAUL MEANT THAT THE CHURCH HAD BECOME ISRAEL, HE WOULD HAVE named both groups, as he did in verse 11.” – Hoehner (B.K.C)…
NAS Ephesians 2:11 Therefore remember, that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision ” by the so-called “Circumcision”… (The Gentiles are the “uncircumcison” and the Jews are the “Circumcision”)…
NOW LOOK AT V. 20…
NAS Ephesians 2:20 having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,
“THE LANGUAGE IN VV. 20-22 SHIFTS WITHOUT WARNING FROM speaking of a family to describing a building, which is then defined more narrowly as a temple. There is a fascinating wordplay in the Greek text, which we will not explore due to time and space, that facilitates this abrupt change.” – Snodgrass…
SCHOLARS DIFFER SOMEWHAT AS TO THE EXACT MEANING OF THE PHRASE “the foundation of the apostles and prophets.” It is my opinion after studying the various views that the meaning is not that the apostles and prophets themselves are the foundation (the genitive is probably subjective, not objective – TAR), but rather, the phrase “the apostles and prophets” refers to their teaching, “the divine revelation that they taught, which in its written form is the New Testament.” –MacArthur…
“THE TEACHING OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS IS THE BASIS ON WHICH the Church rests.” – Snodgrass…
THE TEACHING, AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT, POINTS TO CHRIST… Jesus is the subject and goal of the teaching…
NAS Colossians 2:6-7 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
STILL, I MUST CONFESS THAT I COULD BE WRONG. I acknowledge that a strong case can be made for the phrase “the apostles and prophets” referring not to their teaching but to them themselves. Listen to these words from a well-respected conservative scholar: “The words could be translated, ‘the foundation which consists of the apostles and prophets.’ This makes the best sense when one sees in 4:11 that the apostles and prophets were gifted men given to the church as its ‘foundation.’” – Hoehner (B.K.C.)…
NAS Ephesians 4:11-12 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
“FURTHERMORE,” THIS SCHOLAR GOES ON, “THIS FITS WELL IN the present context, which states that Christ Jesus Himself is the chief Cornerstone, that is, He is part of the foundation.”…
HUMBLY, RESPECTFULLY, I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THE ANSWER COULD BE both. Both the apostles and the prophets themselves and their teaching comprised the foundation…
“’THE PROPHETS’ PAUL MENTIONS IN V. 20 ARE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT ERA, not the Old Testament. Note that the word ‘Prophets’ follows the word ‘apostles’ here and in 3:5 and 4:11 (There were no apostles in the O.T., therefore “prophets” must refer to N.T. prophets – TAR). These men received the revelation of the mystery of the church in the present Age, which had been hidden in days past, that is, in Old Testament times (3:5).” – Hoehner (B.K.C.)…
VERSE 5 OF CHAPTER 3 SEEMS TO SETTLE THE QUESTION…
NAS Ephesians 3:5 which 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;
THIS VERSE IS OBVIOUSLY REFERRING TO THE CHURCH. There was no Church in the O.T. The Church did not begin until the Day of Pentecost, just after the death of Jesus on the Cross…
NAS Ephesians 2:20 …Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,
THE CORNERSTONE OF THE FOUNDATION IS CHRIST JESUS HIMSELF… PAUL IS ALMOST CERTAINLY MAKING REFERENCE TO ISAIAH 28:16…
NAS Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.
LISTEN ALSO TO PSALM 118:22 AND ITS OBVIOUS REFERENCE TO CHRIST…
NAS Psalm 118:22 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner stone.
AND JESUS’ OWN WORDS IN MATTHEW 21:42…
NAS Matthew 21:42 Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, This became the chief corner stone; This came about from the Lord, And it is marvelous in our eyes ‘?
I MUST TELL YOU THAT THIS SEEMINGLY UNCOMPLICATED PHRASE ALSO causes disagreement amongst scholars. Some believe that the cornerstone occupies a strategic part of the foundation, while others believe that the word “cornerstone” really means “capstone” or “keystone,” that is the crowning stone placed strategically in the center of the buildings central arch…
SCHOLARS I EQUALLY ADMIRE ARE ON DIFFERING SIDES OF THE QUESTION, though most, I believe it can be said, favor the meaning as referring to the foundation cornerstone, not the capstone…
THESE ARE THE WORDS OF ONE OF MY FAVORITE COMMENTATORS on Ephesians; he believes the cornerstone is in the foundation: “In ancient building practices ‘the chief cornerstone”’ was carefully placed. It was crucial because the entire building was lined up with it. The church’s foundation, that is, the apostles and prophets, needed to be correctly aligned with Christ. All other believers are built on that foundation, measuring their lives with Christ. – Hoehner (B.K.C.)…
THIS COMMENTATOR SUPPORTS THAT VIEW, “The only place ἀκρογωνιαῖος (a-kra-go- nai-e-os, the Greek word for “cornerstone” – TAR) is used in the LXX is Isa 28:16, and there it clearly refers to a cornerstone that is part of a foundation. Furthermore, the imagery in this context has the building growing off the cornerstone upward, whereas if Christ were the capstone, he would not assume his position until the building was finished, which vv. 21–22 argue against (or do they? – TAR). – NET Notes…
AND PAUL’S LANGUAGE IN 1 CORINTHIANS 3 ALSO SEEMS TO SUPPORT the view that Christ is indeed the Foundation and not the Capstone…
NAS 1 Corinthians 3:9-17 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But let each man be careful how he builds upon it. 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire. 16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.
IN THIS RELEVANT PASSAGE, “PAUL HAD SEEN HIMSELF AS the master builder who had laid the foundation – who is Christ Himself – on which Paul, Apollos, Cephas, and other teachers and prophets were continuing to build.” – Lincoln…
OBVIOUSLY, PAUL HAS CHANGED THE IMAGERY SOMEWHAT IN EPHESIANS 2:20. “The apostles and prophets are no longer seen as those who lay the foundation of Christ, or those who build upon it, but as the foundation itself” (either themselves or their teaching – TAR). – Lincoln…
HERE AGAIN, I BELIEVE IT IS OBVIOUS, WE SHOULD NOT LOSE SIGHT OF JESUS. The apostles and prophets are primarily representatives of Him…
BIBLICAL WRITERS OFTEN EXERCISED FREEDOM IN THEIR APPLICATION OF imagery. In our passage today a careful reading will show that on one hand, the Church is pictured as a finished structure, and yet, on the other hand, it must grow into a temple in Him. Both images are accurate…
VERSE 21…
NAS Ephesians 2:21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord;
HERE WE HAVE THE FORMATION OF THE BUILDING…
I THINK THIS IS FASCINATING. I hope you will stay with me as I take us through a brief lexical study of the word “temple”…
“BOTH JEWISH AND GENTILE BELIEVERS ARE BEING ‘JOINED TOGETHER’ into this one organism labeled ‘a holy temple.’ The Greek word used here for temple (ναός [naos]) always refers to the sanctuary within the physical structure in Jerusalem, not to the entire temple area with its open courts (ἱερόν [hieron]). – Hoehner (B.K.C.)…
THE GREEK WORD THAT IS USED FOR “BEING FITTED TOGETHER” (συναρμολογέω [su-nar-ma-la-gay-o]; present passive participle, i.e., we didn’t do the fitting together; God did) “denotes that the various parts of the building are skillfully fitted to each other, not haphazardly thrown together.” – Hoehner (B.K.C.)…
“THIS STRUCTURE RISES TO BECOME A HOLY TEMPLE IN THE LORD. This indicates that the church is a living and growing organism, as new believers are included in this temple’s superstructure.” – Hoehner (B.K.C.)…
NAS Ephesians 4:15-16 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
NAS 1 Peter 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
“THE JOINING TOGETHER OF ALL THE ELEMENTS THAT MAKE UP THE total structure of the Church is a continuous present activity.” – Lincoln… That involves you and me…
NOTE “ARE BEING BUILT UP” IN V. 22…
NAS Ephesians 2:22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
FINALLY, HERE WE HAVE THE FUNCTION OF THE BUILDING, THE TEMPLE… “GOD PLACES INDIVIDUAL BELIEVERS INTO THE STRUCTURE; thus it is being built together. The goal of this temple is to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit. In the Old Testament God’s glory was in the temple, which represented His presence with the people. In this Age God dwells in His new temple which is constructed not from inanimate materials but of living believers. The Holy Spirit indwells each individual believer (cf. John 14:17; Rom. 5:5; 8:9, 11; 1 Cor. 2:12; Gal. 3:2; 4:6; 1 John 3:24; 4:13), who is thus a ‘temple.’” – Hoehner (B.K.C.)…
NAS 1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
BUT THE TEMPLE PAUL IS TALKING ABOUT IN EPHESIANS 2:21-22 REFERS not to the individual temples which are the physical bodies of believers, but rather the Holy Spirit’s corporate dwelling place, the Church…
NAS 1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
NAS 2 Corinthians 6:16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
THIS “TEMPLE” IS COMPOSED OF ALL JEWISH AND GENTILE BELIEVERS in Christ…
“IN THE SPIRIT” COULD ALSO BE TRANSLATED “BY THE SPIRIT.” “Only when believers live in unity, in peace and love with one another, will we give evidence to the world that God’s Spirit dwells in us. Only then will the world believe in Christ as their Peacemaker, the One who came to make peace, peace between persons and God, and peace with one another.” – Garner…
FELLOW CITIZENS, GOD’S HOUSEHOLD, AND A HOLY TEMPLE: Those are the three pictures Paul used to describe the state of the church; all three speak of unity and peace produced by God’s grace through salvation…
WHAT CAN WE TAKE FROM THIS MESSAGE, WHICH AT TIMES SEEMS so distant, so ancient to us? One thing I think we can take from this passage and apply to our lives today is comfort, comfort in knowing God has a plan for us and that He has always been in complete control of this plan, and He is in complete control today. Nothing has really changed regarding salvation and the relationship believers have with Christ from Paul’s day to ours, and that unbroken, unbreakable continuity should bring us comfort…
AND THIS CLOSING THOUGHT: “Everything else that we have built in our lives, in our civilization, will one day be blown away in the fires of final judgment. All that will be left is the permanent, eternal structure that God builds out of our lives.” – Steadman…
THEREFORE, I MIGHT ADD, WE SHOULD BE FOCUSING OUR ATTENTION and energies on living distinctive lives that honor God in the midst of our current pagan culture, loving and serving one another, and helping Christ build His church. Amen?…
– Professor Thomas A. Rohm
