Ephesians 2:20,Ephesians 2:21

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

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

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

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ephesians 2:11-22

Jew and Gentile made one in Christ (2:11-22)For centuries there had been bitterness and tension between Jews and Gentiles, mainly because of the way proud Jews looked down on Gentiles. Jews had circumcision as the sign that they were God’s people; Gentiles did not. Because they were not God’s people, Gentiles enjoyed none of Israel’s privileges through the covenants and promises. They had no hope for a Messiah and no knowledge of God (11-12). The Jews, having been chosen to receive God’s law,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ephesians 2:20

And are = Having been. Compare Acts 20:32 . upon . App-104 . the foundation . . . prophets . The foundation laid by the apostles and prophets (compare Hebrews 2:3 , Hebrews 2:4 ; Hebrews 6:1 , Hebrews 6:2 ), or (2) the foundation of the apostles and prophets themselves, laid by God. foundation . Greek. themelios. See App-146 . apostles and prophets . App-189 . Jesus Christ . The texts re "Christ Jesus". App-98 . the . Omit. chief corner stone = foundation corner-stone. Greek. ... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ephesians 2:20

Being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone.The foundation of the apostles and prophets ... There are five foundations of the Christian faith mentioned in the New Testament: (1) The foundational teaching is composed of the teachings of Christ delivered through the apostles and prophets of the new dispensation (Matthew 7:24-26). (2) The foundational fact is that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:13-20). (3)... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ephesians 2:20

Ephesians 2:20. And are built upon the foundation, &c.— "And ye are still more closely united to Christ, and to the Father in him, not only as citizens to their supreme magistrate, and as children to their father; but as a building to its foundation, which is another figure under which the church of Christ may be considered in its relation to him (1 Peter 2:4-5.), who is a sure foundation, which God himself has laid in Zion, besides which no man can lay any other; but which is ministerially... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 2:20

20. Translate as Greek, "Built up upon," c. (participle having been built up upon; omit, therefore, "and are"). Compare 1 Corinthians 3:11; 1 Corinthians 3:12. The same image in 1 Corinthians 3:12- :, recurs in his address to the Ephesian elders (1 Corinthians 3:12- :), and in his Epistle to Timothy at Ephesus (1 Timothy 3:15; 2 Timothy 2:19), naturally suggested by the splendid architecture of Diana's temple; the glory of the Christian temple is eternal and real, not mere idolatrous gaud. The... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 2:11-22

1. Present ministry 2:11-22The apostle first stated the reality of the union of all believers in Christ (Ephesians 2:11-13). Then he explained what this involves (Ephesians 2:14-18). Finally he described the consequences of this union (Ephesians 2:19-22). read more