Ephesians 2:19-22To: Ephesians Main MenuTo: Grace Notes Home Page Ephesians 2:19 Now, therefore, you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; ---------- "Now, therefore" - Greek is "so then", or "consequently". Those who are in Christ have experienced a profound transition from a state of enmity and strangeness to the condition of being members of the same family. Here Paul speaks further of the change in the believer's status and position. ---------- "you are no longer" - (este ouketi), literally, speaking of time, "no longer; never again". The emphasis here is that there is no way to revert to a former state of being or condition. ---------- "strangers" - (zenoi), "alien". Jesus Christ does away with zenophobia, the fear of strangers. Strangers become family members, fellow citizens. Those who are outside are admitted to fellowship. ---------- "foreigners" - (paroikoi), "outsiders". In a Greek inscription, this word was used to refer to a licensed practitioner who, although he was a foreigner, was permitted to stay in the community to practice his trade. Here, the word is used figuratively for Christians (Jews and Gentiles) who are now citizens of heaven. ---------- "but fellowcitizens with the saints" - (sumpolitai), "members together of the same city", along with all believers in Christ. Describing believers as citizens was an effective way to describe the position in God's kingdom that Jews and Gentiles now share equally. ---------- "and of the household of God" - (oikeioi), from (oikos) = "house" This phrase "of the household" was used literally in Greek literature to refer to family members, blood relatives. Here it speaks figuratively of members of the household of faith in Jesus Christ. Galatians 5:10 uses the same word (oikeioi) speaking of the "household of faith". Topic: CITIZENSHIP OF THE BELIEVER Topic: FELLOWSHIP, CHRISTIAN Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone, ---------- What follows is another view of the great doctrine of Edification. Those whose faith is in Christ are like an edifice that is being built, the cornerstone and foundation having already been laid in place. "and are built" - (epakodomeithentes), "built on something" The verb is aorist passive participle, indicating that the subject, "you" of verse 19, receives the action of the built. That is, we do not build ourselves; rather, we are built by God. The building process is described in Ephesians 4:11-16. READ Ephesians 4:11-16. Note the process: 1. The Lord Jesus Christ provided spiritual gifts of communication to the church, 4:11 There will never be a mature church without edified believers. And a believer cannot be edified apart from learning the word of God under the teaching and control of the Holy Spirit. There are many Christian dabblers, religious buffs who like to hang around the edges of the Christian scene, or perhaps even "participate" to the full, but who are not daily involved in this edification process. An understanding of the doctrines of the Word of God, and how they apply to every problem that comes up, or any decision that has to be made, is a prerequisite to real progress in the Christian life. Topic: EDIFICATION ---------- "on the foundation" - (themekiw), "a foundation" A foundation is indispensable for any building. ---------- "apostles and prophets" - the communicators who did the teaching. ---------- "Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone" - (akrogwniaiou), "the high stone" Jesus Christ is simply the "cornerstone". There is only one cornerstone, or capstone, in a building. Ephesians 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto a holy temple in the Lord; ---------- "In whom all the building" Another reference to Union with Christ, positional truth. All activity in the Christian life is "in Christ". "All the building" refers to the edifice, the result of God's construction. 1 Cor. 3:9, "For we are laborers together with God; you are God's vineyard, you are God's building." ---------- "fitly framed together" - (sunarmologoumenei) - "joined together" This word is also used in Eph. 4:16. It is absolutely vital that you understand how the Lord brings Christians along in the Christian life and causes them to grow in "the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ". You can't grow in Christ by osmosis, or by putting your Bible under your pillow and learning in your sleep. There is a building process by which God uses His word to change us from naive babes in Christ into mature, productive witnesses and warriors for the faith. ---------- "grows into a holy temple in the Lord" - "increases". John the Baptist said "He must increase; I must decrease." (John 3:30). First, Christ increases, then He causes us to increase. What is being built here is a Church, a "holy temple", the temple of temples, the body of Christ. Of Christ and "in Christ". Ephesians 2:22 In whom also you are built together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. ---------- "In whom also you are build together" We are being edified, built, for a great purpose - to be a habitation of God through Spirit. This phrase refers to various parts of a structure being brought together in a building. We are "built together" and we continue to be "built together". What is our purpose in life? Eph. 5:25-27, "...Christ also love the church, and gave himself for it. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word; that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." It is God's plan for every Christian to be part of this process. ---------- "for an habitation of God" - a dwelling place. What do you make of the idea that you are God's dwelling place? Does that change your attitude toward your daily activities? Does this concept change your life goals? If you think of yourself as God's dwelling place, does that help you make decision when you are tempted to sin, to dishonor God? Remember from Titus 2, we are to live so as (1) not to cause the Word of God to be slandered; (2) not to give the enemies of the gospel any evil thing to say about us; and (3) to "adorn", decorate, the gospel of our Lord and Saviour. ******************** Summarizing the passage: Ephesians 2:19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but members of the same community with all other saints, and you are part of God's family. Ephesians 2:20 And you are built on a foundation made up of God's communicators, apostles and prophets, and the cornerstone of this building is Jesus Christ Ephesians 2:21 In Jesus Christ all of this building is fitted together and grows into a sanctified temple in the Lord Jesus Christ: Ephesians 2:22 In whom you also are built together for a residence of God by means of the Holy Spirit. End of Lesson 15 Warren Doud [ Grace Notes ] 1705 Aggie Lane, Austin, Texas 78757 Phone: 512-458-8923 E-Mail: wdoud@bga.com |
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