COMMENTARY ON EPHESIANS
LESSON NUMBER 28
Eph 2:20 "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Eph 2:20-23)
THE DIVINE BUILDING PROGRAM
INTRODUCTION
With great wisdom and spiritual understanding, Paul has shined the light of inspiration on the salvation experienced by the brethren in Ephesus. It was all anchored in God Himself, who had blessed them with "all spiritual blessings in heavenly places" (1:3). To drive home the point, He reminded them that God had "chosen us" in Christ "before the foundation of the world." The objective was that we should be "holy and without blame before Him in love" (1:4). He "predestinated us unto the adoption of sons" through Christ, "according to the good pleasure of His will" (1:5). Because of that "we have redemption" through Christ's blood, "the forgiveness of sins" (1:7). In His grace, God has "abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence" (1:8). He has made known to us His aim for the future: to"gather together in one all things in Christ, which are in heaven, and which are n earth" (1:9-10). In Christ we have "obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according" to His own purpose, "that we should be to the praise of His glory (1:11-12). He has even "sealed" with "the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the down payment of what He has determined for us to receive (1:13-14). In accordance with that purpose, Paul is praying that the eyes of their understanding may be opened to see what they have in Christ, and what God Himself is to receive (1:15-20). The church finds its significance in that it is the body of Christ, into which all of His fulness is deposited (1:21-22). Having raised us from death in trespasses and sits, we have now been seated in heavenly places, and made accepted in the Beloved (2:1-6). Our rescue was wrought by God's mercy, kindness, and grace, and the result has been His "workmanship" - a people to do His works (2:7-10). He then opened up the mystery of the Jews and Gentiles being joined together in one body in Christ (2:11-19). The absolute prominence of Deity in this whole process is glaringly apparent - but only to those with faith.
THE FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS
Eph 2:20 "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone."
In order to properly assess and understand newness of life, its purpose must be delineated. The first question to address in this matter is not "What should we be doing?" Rather, it is "What is God doing in the redemption that He has provided?" That is precisely the matter that Paul is addressing in this text. His message and methodology contradict much of what is being proclaimed in modern Christendom. Many professing Christians have never had an extended thought concerning what God is doing in Christ Jesus.
BUILT UPON THE FOUNDATION. The salvation of God is a building project. The superintendent of the project is Christ Jesus Himself, who affirmed that He would "build" His church (Matt 16:18). He has also employed key men - faithful men - who are called "wise master builders," of whom Paul is chief (1 Cor 3:10). As a "wise master builder" he lays down the foundation upon which the building can be appropriately constructed. Other laborers can build upon that foundation, but they are to "take heed" HOW they build on it. The materials, which are people, must blend with the foundation (1 Cor 3:11-15).
Our text continues to comment on "the saints, and of the household of God" (verse 19). These are the ones who are "built upon the foundation." They are properly integrated with the foundation, which is the cause for their stability and faithfulness.
Being "built upon the foundation" is another way of saying "added to the Lord" (Acts 5:14), "joined unto the Lord" (1 Cor 6:17), and "members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bone" (Eph 5:30). It is the collective way of viewing those who are "in Christ" (2 Cor 5:17), and in whom Christ dwells by faith (Eph 3:17).
ARE BUILT. The point of this expression is not our unity with Christ Himself, but is rather the outcome of it. The text does not say the "the saints" WERE built, but that they "ARE built." That is, they are being built - a work that is in progress. That work is called EDIFICATION.
THE FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS. This is the foundation declared by the Apostles and foretold by the Prophets. The Prophets identified the One on and in whom the work of God would be initiated and completed (i.e. Isa 9:6-7; 53:1-12; Jer 23:5; Acts 3:24; 10:43). The apostles proclaimed Jesus of Nazareth to be that Person, and expounded the kind of work He was doing (Rom 8:34; 1 Tim 2:5; Heb 2:10; 7:25). Any Jesus who is not introduced by the Prophets and expounded by the Apostles is "another Jesus" (2 Cor 11:4).
While individual advancement is mandatory, that is not the point of this text. It is the collective building that is the point. This is where the word "edification" comes into play, which is an architectural term referring to the stability and functionality of the structure - the church. Considering the intended use of this building, it makes perfect sense that a work is in progress to make it strong and suitable, stable and functional. This will be developed at length in the fourth chapter. The point of mentioning it here is to confirm the reason for the work being done.
Are they on the foundation! Are they properly related to Jesus Christ? Are they being fitted together with one another? I must confess that when I came to this area I was struck with the lack of identity of professing Christians with Christ Himself. Few of them were "grounded and settled" (Col 1:23) - securely and knowledgeably meshed with Christ. Although it is not an easy thing to acknowledge, it seemed clear to me that they had not been "built" upon the proper foundation. I found that this was not always owing to a deficiency of desire among the people, but was largely due to the kind of preaching and teaching that had shaped their thinking.
JESUS CHRIST, THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE. In the Kingdom of God, the foundation is not a set of words, a creed, a position, or a doctrinal summation. It is a Person - Jesus Christ. The foundational consideration is that Jesus Christ is "the Son of God," and the perception of that is what the church is built upon (Matt 16:16-18). At the root of the matter is the truth that Jesus Christ is really the only Man who has the unwavering and full approval of God. He is the only One who has met all of the requirements, and who has fully addressed all of the challenges.
Salvation is the appointed means of men being identified with "the Man Christ Jesus." This is the greater reason, not merely improving life upon the earth. Those who initially come to Christ must come to resolve the issue between them and God - the sin problem. To seek identity with Christ for any other reason is not honorable.
As "the chief Cornerstone" Jesus determines the dimensions and size of the spiritual structure built upon it. The glorified church was revealed to John as a city that was "foursquare" - a perfect cube (Rev 21:16). Nothing was out of proportion. Nothing detracted from God. There was no weakness, flaw, or imperfection. The twofold reason for this ultimate outcome is declared in our text. It is the result of the people being put on the established Foundation, which is Jesus Christ. It is also owing to the fact that Jesus Himself is the "chief cornerstone" which determines the shape of the structure, and holds it all together.
THE BUILDING IS FITLY FRAMED AND IS GROWING 2:21 "In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord."
IN WHOM. This refers to the Christ foretold by the Prophets and expounded by the Apostles. That is the only Man in whom these Divine objectives are realized. Notice the priority of the Christ. He is the Foundation. He is the Cornerstone. Now He is set forth as the One in whom the building is being brought to completion. This is how God regards the matter, and it is the only acceptable mode of operation. No other foundation can be laid (1 Cor 3:11) - that is, God will recognize none other. The results that are here detailed cannot be achieved independently of an effective and productive union with Christ Jesus.
ALL THE BUILDING. Any "church work" that does not take "all the building" Into consideration is suspicious, to say the least. Whatever facet of the work is being done must have a productive impact on "all the building," else it is not valid. No people group, domestic group, or supposed specialty group, can forget about "all the building."
FITLY FRAMED TOGETHER. Other versions read, "being joined together," NKJV "being fitted together," NASB "rightly joined together," BBE "coupled together," GENEVA "held together," NAB "carefully joined together," LIVING "fitted and closely joined together," WEYMOUTH "harmoniously fitted together," WILLIAMS "that holds all the parts together." MESSAGE
Being "fitly framed together" results from being "in" Christ - "in whom." I prefer the words "fitly framed," "joined together," "coupled together" to "held together."While there is a sense in which Jesus holds the members together, that does not seem to be the point of the text. Here the aim is to declare that they FIT together, or integrate together into one grand whole. How this is accomplished will be expounded in the fourth chapter.
There are few experiences that are as great as the realization that one fits together with other believers. This is elsewhere referred to as "the unity of the Spirit" and "the unity of the faith" (Eph 4:3,13). I have some very vivid memories of being among professed believers among whom I was as a stranger. I simply did not fit in, and it was my quest for the Lord and love of the truth that caused the condition.
Some people have grown accustomed to such associations. However, this cannot be right, for our text depicts the church as being "fitly framed together" - joined together in such a way as to promote growth and advancement in a Divinely purposed plan.
A building in which the several parts do not fit together is an unstable structure. Babylon has created a spiritual monster in which the parts are so diverse from one another that they cannot fit together. It has resolved the problem by shutting off the contributive part of spiritual life. A few people do all of the work, and provide all of the speaking - and many times they are professional people who have received special training. In other words, in Babylon the Great, the whole building is not the point. For this reason there is a lot of sloppy thinking concerning the foundation, the purpose for the church, and how the people actually fit together. Differences are addressed by the formation of additional groups, which cannot integrate with the other groups.
GROWETH INTO AN HOLY TEMPLE. Other versions read, "is growing into a holy temple," NASB "rises to become a holy temple," NIV "comes to be a holy house of God," BBE "increases to a holy temple," DARBY "increase to a holy sanctuary," YLT "constantly growing temple for God," LIVING and "continues to rise (grow, increase) into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, consecrated, and sacred to the presence of the Lord]." AMPLIFIED
Here is a concept that is virtually unknown in our time - the body of Christ, composed of regenerated Jews and Gentiles, is growing into "a holy temple." Unholy people in this temple are no more welcome than moneychangers and those who sold doves were in the Temple in Jerusalem. The church is not a hospital, but a Temple! It is a place where God is served, not man. The Temple of old (which shapes our concept of a temple) was not a place of distribution for the community. It was not a place where political events were held, or social activities were provided for the young. Jesus referred to it was "My Father's house" (John 2:16), and "the house of prayer" (Matt 21:13).
Here the picture is that of a holy temple that is under construction - like the ancient temple was constructed by Solomon, and rebuilt under the leadership of Zerubbabel. The fact that it is a holy temple in the Lord determines how it will be built. A building that is being constructed as a place of business is constructed differently than one intended to be a family dwelling. A structure for a circus differs from a library.
When the church is seen as a "holy temple" under construction, it makes a significant difference in its emphasis, the thrust of its work, and the frequency of its gatherings. It makes a difference what is adopted as its message, and how it views the individual members. The collective people of God are a sanctuary, dedicated to be place where God can dwell without it endangering the people, as when He came down on Sinai. That is an arresting consideration.
BUILT TOGETHER FOR A HABITATION OF GOD
222 "In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."
While the text may appear to be repetitious, it is not. This is an example of emphasis, not mere redundancy. The thought of Jesus Christ being both the hub and the environment of everything God is doing is so strange to human thought that it must be affirmed again and again. Satan is tireless in his efforts to obscure this fact.
IN WHOM. That is, "in Christ." If what is being done is not bring wrought "in Christ" it will not have the results now specified. When, therefore, the stated objective is not being realized, the work is not being done in Christ, the building is not on the Foundation, and the proper Cornerstone has not been used. This is the unvarnished truth of the matter.
BUILDED TOGETHER. Other versions read, "united together," BBE "joined with him and with each other," LIVING "in union with Him, in fellowship with one another,' WILLIAMS and "continuously built together." MONTGOMERY Any supposed "church" activity that does not involve the members being "built together" is off-center, to say the least.
As will be confirmed in the fourth chapter, the process of being built together involves the expression of the various members of the body. These are not opinionated expressions, but the manifestation of the various measures of faith that have been given to the members (Rom 12:3). Stated another way, it is the expression of the grace of God that has been allotted to every member (1 Pet 4:10). Also, keep in mind that the building project is being managed by Jesus.
It is not often that we hear about a body of believers growing, as opposed to the individual members growing. Of course the growth of the body requires that the several members grow. Here, however, the point is that the growth is synchronized, so to speak, so that each persons advancement complements the advancement of the other members. In the average American church, a person who is growing in the Lord distances himself from the rest of the people. In a church that Jesus is administering, such a person blends with and advantages the other members. FOR A HABITATION OF GOD. Other versions read, "a dwelling place for God," NKJV "a dwelling in which God lives,"NIV ""a living-place of God," BBE "a place where God lives," GWN "a fixed abode for God," WEYMOUTH "a home of God," ABP "in which God is quite at home," MESSAGE and "to form a fixed abode (dwelling place)." AMPLIFIED
Here again is a thought that will radically change ones perception of the church. It is not placed here to be a beacon to men - although it does serve that purpose. The primary reason for the church, and the objective for which it is being built together, is so God may dwell in it. That is the overriding purpose for the church, both in this world and in the one to come.
It is fashionable in some circles to ask God to come into the meeting. There are songs and prayers that raise this petition to God - and, to some, it sounds very holy. However, how holy is it if the reason for the church being built up is that God may dwell in it? If the church has been placed on the Foundation, and if it is being built up, God will be there. Jesus said this of Himself, and it surely applies to His Father as well: "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matt 18:20). The Psalmist said, "God is in the generation [company NIV] of the righteous." (Psa 14:5).
Paul once wrote to the Corinthians about the presence of the Lord in the assembly. "If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: and thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth" (1 Cor 14:23-25). The presence of God in the congregation moved upon many members to prophecy something that struck the heart of the visitor. The people may not have known him, but God did, and being present in the assembly He addressed the person through the various members.
If the church is being built as a place in which God dwells, then its activities must take that into consideration. If this representation is true, then the primary work of the church is not to reach the lost, but to minister to the Lord - as the early church did (Acts 13:2). This does not rule out reaching the lost but actually guarantees that it will be accomplished within the framework of God's will. This is what happened at Antioch, which Paul and Barnabas were called into a work by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:2-3). It also occurred in Troas, where Paul and company were directed to go to Macedonia ()Acts 16:8-10).
THROUGH THE SPIRIT. Because the heavenly treasure is now contained in an earthen vessel, God dwells in the church by means of the Holy Spirit, who abides within the believers (Gal 4:6). Although it is a vicarious indwelling, it is a very real one, and is designed to prepare us for the ages to come when "God Himself shall be with them" (Rev 21:3). Until then, He can be found among His people, who have been built together as a place for Him to dwell. Blessed thought!