Ephesians 2:20 - being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;
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What does "Ephesians 2:20" mean?
Ephesians 2:20 is a rich and important verse in understanding the Christian faith. Let's break down what it means:
"being built...": This refers to the believers in Christ, the Church, being constructed or established. Paul uses architectural imagery throughout this passage to describe the community of believers.
"on the foundation of the apostles and prophets...": The foundation is crucial for any building. Here, the foundation of the Church is the teachings and witness of the apostles (those personally chosen by Jesus) and the prophets (those who spoke God's word in the Old Testament and New Testament).
Apostles: They were eyewitnesses of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection. Their teachings (recorded in the New Testament) provide the fundamental understanding of Jesus's identity and mission.
Prophets: The Old Testament prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah and emphasized God's character, law, and plan for salvation. The New Testament prophets declared God's will and truths. Together, they point forward to Christ.
The idea is that their divinely inspired words and testimonies form the basis upon which the Church is built. We understand who Jesus is and what he did because of their inspired preaching and writings.
"Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone...": This is arguably the most significant part of the verse. The "chief cornerstone" (or "capstone") is the most important stone in a building. It is the stone that aligns and unites the entire structure. All other stones are set in relation to it.
Christ Jesus: He is the central and defining element of the Church. The entire structure derives its strength, stability, and purpose from him.
As the cornerstone, Jesus:
Unifies: He binds together all believers, regardless of their background or culture.
Aligns: He sets the standard for truth, morality, and conduct within the Church.
Supports: He provides the strength and stability needed for the Church to withstand challenges.
Completes: The building wouldn't be complete without this most important stone. He fulfills the Old Testament prophecies and completes God's plan of salvation.
In summary, Ephesians 2:20 is saying that the Church (believers) is being built on the solid foundation of the teachings and witness of the apostles and prophets, and that Jesus Christ himself is the absolutely essential and unifying cornerstone that holds the entire structure together. Without Him, the building cannot be completed and aligned to God's purposes.
Key Implications:
Authority of Scripture: The verse highlights the importance of the Bible (especially the teachings of the apostles and prophets) as the source of truth and guidance for believers.
Centrality of Christ: It emphasizes that Jesus is not just a* part of the Christian faith, but the most important part. He is the foundation and the cornerstone.
Unity of the Church: It suggests that the Church should be unified around the person and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Purpose of the Church: The Church exists to reflect the character and glory of Christ to the world.
Continuity Between Old and New Testaments: The verse connects the Old and New Testaments, as the prophets prepared the way for the coming of Christ and his apostles revealed his life and teachings.
Understanding this verse helps us grasp the nature of the Church and the importance of grounding our faith in the truth of Scripture and the person of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:20 - being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;
What does "Ephesians 2:20" mean?
Ephesians 2:20 is a rich and important verse in understanding the Christian faith. Let's break down what it means:
"being built...": This refers to the believers in Christ, the Church, being constructed or established. Paul uses architectural imagery throughout this passage to describe the community of believers.
"on the foundation of the apostles and prophets...": The foundation is crucial for any building. Here, the foundation of the Church is the teachings and witness of the apostles (those personally chosen by Jesus) and the prophets (those who spoke God's word in the Old Testament and New Testament).
Apostles: They were eyewitnesses of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection. Their teachings (recorded in the New Testament) provide the fundamental understanding of Jesus's identity and mission.
Prophets: The Old Testament prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah and emphasized God's character, law, and plan for salvation. The New Testament prophets declared God's will and truths. Together, they point forward to Christ.
The idea is that their divinely inspired words and testimonies form the basis upon which the Church is built. We understand who Jesus is and what he did because of their inspired preaching and writings.
"Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone...": This is arguably the most significant part of the verse. The "chief cornerstone" (or "capstone") is the most important stone in a building. It is the stone that aligns and unites the entire structure. All other stones are set in relation to it.
Christ Jesus: He is the central and defining element of the Church. The entire structure derives its strength, stability, and purpose from him.
As the cornerstone, Jesus:
Unifies: He binds together all believers, regardless of their background or culture.
Aligns: He sets the standard for truth, morality, and conduct within the Church.
Supports: He provides the strength and stability needed for the Church to withstand challenges.
Completes: The building wouldn't be complete without this most important stone. He fulfills the Old Testament prophecies and completes God's plan of salvation.
In summary, Ephesians 2:20 is saying that the Church (believers) is being built on the solid foundation of the teachings and witness of the apostles and prophets, and that Jesus Christ himself is the absolutely essential and unifying cornerstone that holds the entire structure together. Without Him, the building cannot be completed and aligned to God's purposes.
Key Implications:
Authority of Scripture: The verse highlights the importance of the Bible (especially the teachings of the apostles and prophets) as the source of truth and guidance for believers.
Centrality of Christ: It emphasizes that Jesus is not just a* part of the Christian faith, but the most important part. He is the foundation and the cornerstone.
Unity of the Church: It suggests that the Church should be unified around the person and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Purpose of the Church: The Church exists to reflect the character and glory of Christ to the world.
Continuity Between Old and New Testaments: The verse connects the Old and New Testaments, as the prophets prepared the way for the coming of Christ and his apostles revealed his life and teachings.
Understanding this verse helps us grasp the nature of the Church and the importance of grounding our faith in the truth of Scripture and the person of Jesus Christ.