Ephesians 2:20-21 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:11-22

Union of Jews and Gentiles in the Christian Church. "Wherefore remember, that aforetime." The Ephesian Christians are reminded of what they were "aforetime," that is, before they received the gospel. It is a good exercise of memory for us all to go back on what we once were. For we did not all receive the gospel when it was first presented to us. Many of us who now believe were for years in a state of indifference; How well, then, does it become us to "remember" our former unconverted... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:11-22

Gospel reconciliation—its subjects, agency, and results. "Wherefore remember, that ye being in lime past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:19-22

The Christian temple. The pride of Ephesus was her world-famed temple, in which the religion, the art, and even the commerce of the city centered and flourished. What the temple of Diana was materially in its visible romp and power, the Church of Christ is to be spiritually, but with a higher splendor and a wider influence. More than once has St. Paul described the Church as a temple. The truths shadowed forth by this name press upon us with weighty importance. I. THE MATERIALS ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:20

Being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. A new figure, the third here introduced to denote the change—that of a temple, of which Christians are stones. There is no contrast in form in this figure, as in the other two; it just expresses directly the privilege attained. There is a real contrast, however, between the first three and the last three verses of the chapter—the lowest degradation expressed in the one, the highest elevation in the ether. Observe, the apostle... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:20-22

The Christian temple. This the climax of the comparison between past and present pursued in this chapter. Temple of Diana at Ephesus may have suggested the figure. The three persons of the Godhead are concerned in this work of building. The three are brought together in Ephesians 2:22 . Glorious threefold cord, securing the salvation and final glory of the Church! The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost are with her foreverse While all... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:21

In whom all the building. Not even the figure of a building can keep the apostle from his favorite idea of vital fellowship with Christ as the soul of all Christianity—"in whom." πᾶσα οἰκοδομὴ is rendered in R.V. "each several building." But surely the want of the article does not make imperative a rendering which is out of keeping with the apostle's object, viz. to illustrate the organic unity of believers, Jewish and Gentile, as one great body (comp. Ephesians 4:4 , "There is one... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:21-22

The Church a holy temple. It is elsewhere called" a spiritual house," composed of "living stones," built upon him who is a living Stone laid in Zion, elect, precious, though rejected of men ( 1 Peter 2:4 , 1 Peter 2:5 ). Each believer is a living stone, dug out of the quarry of nature, hewn by the Word and ministry, laid in the foundation, and built into the heavenly structure. The Church is God's building, not man's. There are four things observable in the apostle's account of this... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 2:20

And are built upon the foundation - The comparison of the church with a building, is common in the Scriptures: compare the notes at 1 Corinthians 3:9-10. The comparison was probably taken from the temple, and as that was an edifice of great beauty, expense, and sacredness, it was natural to compare the church with it. Besides, the temple was the sacred place where God dwelt on the earth; and as the church was the place where he delighted now to abide, it became natural to speak of his church as... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 2:21

In whom - That is, “by” whom, or “upon” whom. It was in connection with him, or by being reared on him as a foundation.All the building - The whole church of Christ.Fitly framed together - The word used here means “to joint together,” as a carpenter does the frame-work of a building. The materials are accurately and carefully united by mortises and tenons. so that the building shall be firm. Different materials may be used, and different kinds of timber may be employed, but one part shall be... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ephesians 2:19-22

Ephesians 2:19-22. Now, therefore Being thus reconciled; ye Believing Gentiles; are no more strangers and foreigners If it be necessary to make any distinction as to the signification of these two words, in the former, ( ζενοι ,) the apostle may refer to persons of a different country; and in the latter, ( παροικοι ,) to those of a different family. The following clause evidently leads to this sense. But fellow-citizens with the saints The Church of God is here spoken of under the... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:11-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:11-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:19-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:20-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:21-22

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 2:20

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 2:21

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ephesians 2:19-22

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