Ephesians 2:20-21
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to think of the apostles and prophets as just the "early guys" of faith, but here they're described as the actual foundation upon which the whole spiritual building rests. This highlights that the foundational truths they proclaimed about Jesus are the very bedrock, not just a historical starting point.
Paul is explaining that the church, previously divided between Jews and Gentiles, is now unified as a single spiritual structure. He emphasizes that this new unity is not based on human effort but on divine revelation and Jesus Christ himself as the ultimate cornerstone. This builds upon the idea that believers are no longer strangers or foreigners but members of God's household, now incorporated into a divinely constructed spiritual temple.
The Bible mentions prophets in both the Old and New Testaments. When Paul speaks of the foundation of the church, which group is he referring to?
New Testament Prophets
Paul lists "apostles and prophets" as the foundation of the church. While Old Testament prophets pointed forward to Christ, the context here strongly suggests Paul means New Testament prophets.
Paul calls the apostles and prophets the 'foundation,' but then calls Christ the 'cornerstone.' How can both be true?
Two Roles, One Purpose
This verse beautifully layers the foundation of the church. The apostles and prophets laid the groundwork, but Jesus is the essential cornerstone that holds everything together.
Understand the original words
themeliō · Greek Noun
The primary or foundational teaching/witness provided by God's messengers. It represents the historical and doctrinal basis upon which the Church is established.
akrogōniaios · Greek Noun
The chief stone of a building, essential for holding the structure together and ensuring alignment. It identifies Christ as the supreme, foundational figure upon whom the entire Church is built and sustained.
synarmologoumenē · Greek Participle
Refers to the harmonious assembly and interconnectedness of believers, emphasizing that the church is an organic, unified body rather than an inanimate organization. It signifies the functional and positional unity of believers as they rely on Christ.
auxei · Greek Verb
This verse describes the foundational role of the apostles and prophets, not as independent architects, but as those divinely appointed to reveal and establish Christ, the unique cornerstone, upon which the entire Church is built.
c. 4 BC - 30 AD
Jesus' Life and Ministry
The earthly life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, forming the core message proclaimed by the apostles and prophets.
c. 30 AD
Pentecost and the Holy Spirit's Outpouring
The Holy Spirit empowers the apostles, marking the birth of the Church and the beginning of their public ministry to spread the gospel.
c. 30 AD - 60 AD
Apostolic Ministry and Church Planting
The apostles, including Paul, travel widely, preach the gospel, establish churches among both Jews and Gentiles, and lay the doctrinal foundation of the Church.
c. 40 AD - 60 AD
New Testament Prophets Emerge
Individuals gifted by the Spirit as prophets within the early church provide inspired teaching, guidance, and confirmation, working alongside the apostles.
This passage also uses the building metaphor, explicitly stating that Jesus Christ is the only foundation, reinforcing Ephesians 2:20's emphasis on Christ as the ultimate cornerstone upon which all else rests.
1 Peter 2:6Peter quotes Isaiah, calling Jesus a 'chosen and precious cornerstone,' directly paralleling the imagery in Ephesians 2:20 and highlighting Christ's essential role in God's spiritual building.
Matthew 16:18Jesus himself declares he will build his church on 'this rock,' which is a foundational statement about Christ's direct role in establishing and supporting the Church, aligning with the cornerstone imagery in Ephesians 2:20.
Isaiah 28:16This Old Testament prophecy, which is alluded to in both Ephesians and 1 Peter, speaks of laying a cornerstone in Zion, directly influencing the New Testament understanding of Christ as the essential and foundational stone of God's people.
Revelation 21:14This passage describes the New Jerusalem's foundations bearing the names of the twelve apostles, connecting the apostles' foundational role with the ultimate cornerstone, Jesus Christ, as seen in Ephesians 2:20.
vincentEphesians 2:20: "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;"
Of the apostles and prophetsThe foundation laid by them. Prophets are New-Testament prophets. See Ephesians 3:5; Ephesians 4:11. See on 1 Corinthians 12:10.Chief corner-stone (ἀκρογωνίαου)Only here and 1 Peter 2:6.
bengelEphesians 2:20: "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;"
Ephesians 2:20 . Ἐποικοδομηθέντες , built upon ) A phrase frequent with Paul, writing to the Ephesians, Ephesians 3:18 , (comp. Acts 20:32 ); and to Timothy, bishop of Ephesus, a metaphor taken from architecture; 1 Timothy 3:15 ; 2 Timothy 2:19 .— ἐπὶ τῷ θεμελίῳ , on the foundation ) As the foundation supports the whole building, so the testimony of the apostles a…
It's easy to think of the apostles and prophets as just the "early guys" of faith, but here they're described as the actual foundation upon which the whole spiritual building rests. This highlights that the foundational truths they proclaimed about Jesus are the very bedrock, not just a historical starting point.
Paul is explaining that the church, previously divided between Jews and Gentiles, is now unified as a single spiritual structure. He emphasizes that this new unity is not based on human effort but on divine revelation and Jesus Christ himself as the ultimate cornerstone. This builds upon the idea that believers are no longer strangers or foreigners but members of God's household, now incorporated into a divinely constructed spiritual temple.
Paul is explaining that the church, previously divided between Jews and Gentiles, is now unified as a single spiritual structure. He emphasizes that this new unity is not based on human effort but on divine revelation and Jesus Christ himself as the ultimate cornerstone. This builds upon the idea that believers are no longer strangers or foreigners but members of God's household, now incorporated into a divinely constructed spiritual temple.
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In a theological sense, this refers to the spiritual maturation and numerical expansion of the body of Christ. It denotes the process by which the church increasingly reflects the nature and life of Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit.
naon · Greek Noun
Designates a place set apart for the presence and worship of God. In the New Testament, it refers to the community of believers as the living habitation of God's presence, rather than a physical building.
c. 60-62 AD— this verse
Paul Writes Ephesians
The Apostle Paul, likely imprisoned in Rome, writes his letter to the church in Ephesus, articulating the unity of Jews and Gentiles in Christ.
c. 70 AD
Destruction of Jerusalem Temple
The Roman army destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, a pivotal event marking the end of the Old Covenant system and further emphasizing the Church as God's new dwelling.
"built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord." — It's easy to think of the apostles and prophets as just the "early guys" of faith, but here they're described as the actual foundation upon which the whole spiritual building rests. This highlights…
