We must remember that the description which Paul had given of the state of the gentiles in contrast with that of the Jews before the gospel came to Ephesus was one of which they were not even aware at that time. The unbeliever doesn't realize what he is missing and can, seemingly, be quite hap­py in his life separated from God and from His peo­ple. The Spirit of God must open the eyes to make one see the poverty of such a state and fill him with a "holy jealousy" for what the people of God enjoy. Those things have happened in Ephesus. They have been brought together, Jew and gentile, through the power of the work of Christ. He was the only one who could effect a reconciliation between the two. He has sent His Spirit to complete the work He began, and in the church Jew and gentile may and can now call one another brothers!

Former Strangers⤒🔗

Before this the gentiles were strangers to the household of God. They had not even heard of him. The proselyting during the Old Testament dispensa­tion must have been very limited. There are a few names in the Old Testament which show us that this "mission work" was not completely absent. There is a Ruth and there is a Rahab. These, despite the ob­stacles thrown in their path, were assimilated into the people of God. But, who had heard of the God of Abraham in the Greek and Roman world of Paul's day? The Jews had remained strangers among the people in whose lands they dwelt! It is therefore not too much to say that the gentiles were strangers to the household of God.

The Great Change←⤒🔗

But, all of this has changed. The change which has come with the coming of Jesus Christ into the world cannot be measured. Now, all of a sudden, it makes no difference whether you are born a Jew or a Greek; the all-important question is: Do you believe on the Son of God? The Ephesians had believed on Him. Then you are no longer strangers to the household of God! No, you then have become members of that house­hold. Those who have come at the eleventh hour (Matthew 20) receive the same wages as those who were in the field since early morning! The Jew can't understand this. Is God fair in dealing alike with both? Not if it is a matter of earning. One certainly ought to earn more in twelve hours than in one. But, it is not a matter of earning — it is grace, and grace is not measured in terms of time. This was a difficult lesson for the Jew to learn. In fact, it was so difficult a lesson that they condemned the gospel and the gospel ministers for it!

Now Citizens←⤒🔗

Not only has the status of strangers been removed from these gentiles since they believed, they are also not to be considered as mere sojourners. The latter were privileged above strangers. They had a place with the saints. The Gibeonites, for example, lived among the Israelites for years and benefitted greatly by this contact. But, they were not citizens! Israel had to "put up with them" because of the vow made to their fathers by Joshua. Let not the church of the New Testament take that attitude toward these people who have come to the faith in Jesus Christ even though their roots are in the gentile world. What a privilege to be fellow-citizens with the saints and of the household of God. It is one of the author's purposes to make clear to these people how favored they are.

The Well Founded Building←⤒🔗

From the term "household" he easily progresses to the idea of an edifice or house of which they have become a part. They have become citizens of a struc­ture which is of the greatest significance. It is "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets." This, of course, does not mean that these apostles and prophets "themselves" were the foundation on which this structure rested. It was rather the teach­ing of both apostles and prophets which formed the foundation of the house of which they were now members. Again, Paul does not refer to the prophets of the Old Testament, but to those of the New. These were secondary to the apostles but they, neverthe­less, brought the same gospel, the same foundation­al message. The church is built on this foundation and on no other. Now there are those who teach that Christ is the foundation of the church. This is, of course, true (1 Corinthians 3:11). But, when the apostles and prophets come with the word of Christ, it can just as well be said that they are the foundation of the church. Similar expressions are found elsewhere. Christ is the Light of the world; but He also says that His followers are the light of the world. Ephesus must realize that the Christ is speaking through apostles and prophets. They come with the authori­tative word. To look at them only as servants of the people is to attack the foundation of the church.

"The Chief Cornerstone"←⤒🔗

But what is the role which Christ plays in the establishment and continuance of this building? Paul says that Christ Jesus Himself is "the chief corner­stone." This is not the first time the Scriptures have spoken of cornerstones and of Christ being a corner­stone. Psalm 118:22 immediately comes to mind. There are various passages in the New Testament which refer to this passage and show the important place Christ has in the structure of the church. Yet, I find it very difficult to understand all these various passages in their specific meaning. I also believe that the term "cornerstone" is not always used in the same sense in Scripture. Sometimes it indeed refers to part of the foundation, while at other times it seems to refer more to what we today call "a key stone." When we speak of a cornerstone today we mean neither the one nor the other. At a "cornerstone laying" it is not a part of the foundation which is put in place, but, rather, a special stone with an inscription, etc — one which could also be missed from the building. The question now becomes: In what sense is the term used in this particular text? The text seems to leave no doubt that by it is meant the most important part of the foundation. It is that stone which determines the angle of the walls and binds the walls together. When they are built on the foundation of apostles and prophets, they are also built on the foundation which is Jesus Christ. These truths are fundamental for the understanding of the nature of the church our Lord has come to build here on this earth. He, together with the teaching of His apostles and prophets are the basis upon which it stands. Outside of the church there is no salvation. (Article 28, Belgic Confession) The writer immediately does away with that atomistic view salvation which is proclaimed so much today. The importance of the church is now being lost from view.  Many still speak endearingly of Jesus but will have nothing to do with the teaching of the apostles and prophets. This is the characteristic of the false church.

The Building which "Grows"←⤒🔗

The first part of vs. 21 should not be translated "in whom each several building," etc.; but, "in the entire building," etc. There is but one church and the context had also made it clear that he was speaking of only one house which was being built. It is necessary that a firm foundation shall be laid for any house. The previous verse shows that the church has such a foundation. As I have stated before, Paul struggles with the limitations of human Ianguage.  He has been speaking of a building. This, everyone can understand. When it comes to the foundation of that building he already makes it more difficult for us to understand him, but now, when he is speaking of the superstructure, logic seems to break down. That this description is a harmonious whole, we expect. The Master Builder is at work. Everything fits. But Paul goes on to say that this building, "groweth into a holy temple in the Lord." The building which sounded very much like a house when he first began to speak of it, now grows into a temple. This building, small at first, grows into something very large. This building, not esteemed highly at first, grows into a temple or sanctuary. A building that grows is of course, materially impossible. But, when the apostle is speaking of the work of Christ, when he is speaking of the church of Christ, there is no metaphor which is capable of giving the whole picture. Christ has built His church. The teachings of apostles and prophets form its foundation. But, there is nothing static about the work of Christ. It throbs with life!  Wherever one touches His work he is brought in contact with the only true life. Now, how can this be revealed in a "building?" The "building" itself will have to "grow" in order to adequately portray Christ's church. Notice what it grows into – a temple, a sanctuary. It grows into a holy place. The work of God has great "success." That which began so small and so insignificant has become something of surpassing beauty and of great value.

Living Members←⤒🔗

Not only does Paul speak of the church in general terms; he now also tells these Ephesians what their place is in this temple of God. They are the "living stones" of which the apostle Peter speaks. When they come in contact with the foundation or with the cornerstone, they become alive! That is the reason this building can grow. It is made up of living build­ing material. Each individual believer has his own place in this temple. All together they form then this temple or sanctuary in which God dwells by His Spirit! God lives in the church! That is His proper abode. The temple in Jerusalem was only a type. The building of that temple, Solomon, was well aware of this. The heavens are not able to contain Him — then how shall a house made with dead build­ing material ever be able to house Him? Something better would have to come eventually. In 70 A.D. the temple in Jerusalem, which Herod had built, was destroyed. That was all right. It had served its pur­pose. The church had been founded and that is the place where God makes His abode.

God's Living House←⤒🔗

It is the habitation of God in the Spirit. The spir­itual nature of God's dwelling place was easy to overlook in the Old Testament times. God dwelt — first in the tabernacle and then in the temple. The Holy of Holies was the place where He dwelt in a very special manner. Only the high priest was al­lowed to enter there, and then only once a year. The heathen too had their temples. In Ephesus they had the great temple of Diana and her likeness within it. Israel's temple contained a box! Surely, they would not fall down before that in worship! Now God lives in the Spirit in the church where everything is alive! You are that temple!

Questions for Discussion:←⤒🔗

1. Does the gospel first make men dissatisfied with their lives? Explain. What do you think of the idea of building on something which the unbeliev­er already has?
    
2. Do we fully appreciate our relationship to the church of Christ? Do you think there would be so much criticism of the church if we did?
    
3. What does it mean that Christ was made the head of the corner?
    
4. Catholicism believes in the direct descent of apostolic authority to the clergy of the present day. Protestants have been afraid of this view. Why? Have we lost something vital and precious as a result?
    
5. If a minister used illustrations the way Paul did, do you think it would be helpful in understanding his thought? Explain.