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Sunday, September 22nd, 2024
the Week of Proper 20 / Ordinary 25
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Read the Bible

New King James Version

Ephesians 2:20

having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Church;   Cornerstone;   Fellowship;   House;   Jesus Continued;   Righteous;   Stones;   Scofield Reference Index - Christ;   Thompson Chain Reference - Apostles;   Christ;   Church;   Corner-Stone, Christ;   Disciples;   Foundation, Spiritual;   Leaders;   Religious;   Security-Insecurity;   Similitudes;   Spiritual;   Temple, Spiritual;   The Topic Concordance - Disciples/apostles;   Foundation;   Jesus Christ;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Church, the;   Foundation;   Temple, the First;   Titles and Names of Christ;   Union with Christ;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Peter;   Prophets;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Apostle;   Church;   Cornerstone;   Gentile;   Paul;   Peter;   Prophecy, prophet;   Rock;   Teacher;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Apostle;   Building;   Christians, Names of;   Church, the;   Cornerstone;   Death of Christ;   Holy Spirit, Gifts of;   Mission;   Prophet, Prophetess, Prophecy;   Reconciliation;   Sexuality, Human;   Union with Christ;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Calvinists;   Man;   Mercy of God;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Church;   Corner;   Ephesians, Epistle to;   Prophet;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Acts of the Apostles;   Canticles;   ;   Ephesians, the Epistle to the;   House;   Peter;   Stones;   Tabernacle;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Apostles;   Atonement;   Church;   Cornerstone;   Ephesians, Book of;   Foundation;   Gentiles;   Heavenly City, the;   Keys of the Kingdom;   Prophecy, Prophets;   Rock;   Stone;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Atonement;   Church Government;   Ephesians, Epistle to;   Foundation;   Manaen;   Peter, First Epistle of;   Prophet;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Access ;   Acts of the Apostles (2);   Arts;   Caesarea Philippi;   Character;   Church (2);   Corner-Stone ;   Dependence;   Edification;   Ephesians Epistle to the;   Family;   Foundation;   Headship;   House;   Inspiration and Revelation;   Law;   Mediation Mediator;   New Jerusalem;   Peace;   Pre-Eminence ;   Prophecy Prophet Prophetess;   Quotations;   Rock (2);   Unity;   Winter ;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Builder;   Corner Stone;   Prophecy, Prophet;   Revelation, the;   Temple, the;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Christ;   Gold;   Temple;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Church;   Corner;   Diana;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Stones;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Building;   Cornerstone;   Foundation;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Inspiration;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Jesus of Nazareth;   Kingdom or Church of Christ, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Apostle;   Atonement;   Bishop;   Build;   Builder;   Corner;   Corner-Stone;   Doxology;   Ephesians, Epistle to the;   Foundation;   Jesus Christ (Part 2 of 2);   Spiritual Rock;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Saul of Tarsus;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for December 13;   Every Day Light - Devotion for October 7;  

Parallel Translations

New American Standard Bible (1995)
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,
Legacy Standard Bible
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,
Simplified Cowboy Version
Together, we are his headquarters. It's built on the foundation laid by the handpicked cowboys and the prophets. The cornerstone of the headquarters is Christ Jesus himself.
Bible in Basic English
Resting on the base of the Apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief keystone,
Darby Translation
being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the corner-stone,
Christian Standard Bible®
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.
World English Bible
being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone, On whom all the building fitly framed together,
Weymouth's New Testament
You are a building which has been reared on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, the cornerstone being Christ Jesus Himself,
King James Version (1611)
And are built vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Iesus Christ himselfe being the chiefe corner stone,
Literal Translation
being built up on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the cornerstone,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
buylded vpon ye foundacion of ye Apostles and prophetes where Iesus Christ is ye heade corner stone
Mace New Testament (1729)
being built upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, whereof Jesus Christ himself is the main stone of the angle:
Amplified Bible
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the [chief] Cornerstone,
American Standard Version
being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone;
Revised Standard Version
built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
and are bilt apon the foundacion of the apostles and prophetes Iesus Christ beynge the heed corner stone
Update Bible Version
being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone;
Webster's Bible Translation
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-[stone];
Young's Literal Translation
being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being chief corner-[stone],
New Century Version
You are like a building that was built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Christ Jesus himself is the most important stone in that building,
New English Translation
because you have been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.
Berean Standard Bible
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.
Contemporary English Version
You are like a building with the apostles and prophets as the foundation and with Christ as the most important stone.
Complete Jewish Bible
You have been built on the foundation of the emissaries and the prophets, with the cornerstone being Yeshua the Messiah himself.
English Standard Version
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
Geneva Bible (1587)
And are built vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Iesus Christ himselfe being the chiefe corner stone,
George Lamsa Translation
And you are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the corner-stone of the building:
Hebrew Names Version
being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Messiah Yeshua himself being the chief cornerstone;
International Standard Version
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.capstone">[fn]Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 16:18; 21:42; 1 Corinthians 3:9-10; 12:28; Galatians 2:9; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Peter 2:4-5; Revelation 21:14;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
and you are builded upon the foundation of the apostles and of the prophets, and Jeshu the Meshiha himself is the chief corner of the building;
Murdock Translation
And ye are built upon the foundations of the legates and the prophets; and Jesus the Messiah hath become the head of the corner in the edifice.
New Living Translation
Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.
New Life Bible
This family is built on the teachings of the missionaries and the early preachers. Jesus Christ Himself is the cornerstone, which is the most important part of the building.
English Revised Version
being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone;
New Revised Standard
built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Having been built up on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, there being, for chief corner stone, Jesus Christ himself, -
Douay-Rheims Bible
Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone:
King James Version
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Lexham English Bible
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And are built vpon the foundation of the apostles and prophetes, Iesus Christe hym selfe beyng the head corner stone,
Easy-to-Read Version
You believers are like a building that God owns. That building was built on the foundation that the apostles and prophets prepared. Christ Jesus himself is the most important stone in that building.
New American Standard Bible
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone,
Good News Translation
You, too, are built upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, the cornerstone being Christ Jesus himself.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
aboue bildid on the foundement of apostlis and of profetis, vpon that hiyeste corner stoon, Crist Jhesu;

Contextual Overview

14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

built: Ephesians 4:12, 1 Peter 2:4, 1 Peter 2:5

the foundation: Ephesians 4:11-13, Isaiah 28:16, Matthew 16:18, 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Galatians 2:9, Revelation 21:14

Jesus: Psalms 118:22, Isaiah 28:16, Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10, Mark 12:11, Luke 20:17, Luke 20:18, Acts 4:11, Acts 4:12, 1 Peter 2:7, 1 Peter 2:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 49:24 - the stone Exodus 26:15 - boards Exodus 36:13 - so it became Deuteronomy 12:5 - habitation 1 Samuel 14:38 - chief 1 Kings 6:1 - build 1 Kings 7:11 - General 1 Kings 18:31 - twelve stones 2 Chronicles 4:4 - It stood Job 38:6 - fastened Psalms 87:1 - His Psalms 122:3 - builded Proverbs 9:1 - builded Proverbs 10:25 - an Song of Solomon 8:9 - we will Isaiah 54:11 - I will lay Jeremiah 31:4 - build Ezekiel 41:1 - to the temple Ezekiel 48:8 - the sanctuary Zechariah 4:7 - headstone Zechariah 6:12 - he shall build Matthew 12:6 - General Luke 6:13 - apostles Luke 6:48 - and laid John 2:21 - temple John 17:22 - the glory John 20:23 - General Acts 1:2 - the apostles Acts 2:42 - they Acts 20:32 - to build Romans 11:18 - thou bearest Romans 15:20 - build Romans 16:26 - and by 1 Corinthians 1:9 - the fellowship 1 Corinthians 3:10 - I have 1 Corinthians 3:11 - General 2 Corinthians 6:16 - ye are 2 Corinthians 13:5 - Jesus Christ Ephesians 3:5 - as it Colossians 2:7 - built 2 Timothy 2:19 - the foundation 1 Peter 2:6 - Behold 2 Peter 3:2 - and of 1 John 4:13 - General Revelation 11:1 - Rise Revelation 18:20 - and ye

Cross-References

Genesis 2:18
And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,.... The prophets of the Old Testament, and the apostles of the New, who agree in laying ministerially the one and only foundation, Jesus Christ; for not the persons of the apostles and prophets, nor their doctrines merely, are here meant; but Christ who is contained in them, and who is the foundation on which the church, and all true believers are built: he is the foundation of the covenant of grace, of all the blessings and promises of it, of faith and hope, of peace, joy, and comfort, of salvation and eternal happiness; on this foundation the saints are built by Father, Son, and Spirit, as the efficient causes, and by the ministers of the Gospel as instruments: these lie in the same common quarry with the rest of mankind, and are singled out from thence by efficacious grace; they are broken and hewn by the word and ministers of it, as means; and are ministerially laid on Christ the foundation, and are built up thereon in faith and holiness; yea, private Christians are useful this way to build up one another:

Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; which cements and knits together angels and men, Jews and Gentiles, Old and New Testament saints, saints above, and saints below, saints on earth, in all ages and places, and of every denomination; and which is the beauty and glory, as well as the strength of the building, which keeps all together; and Christ is the chief, the headstone of the corner, and who is superior to angels and men. This phrase is used by the Jews to denote excellency in a person; so a wise scholar is called אבן פינה, "a cornerstone"; i see Psalms 118:22. It may be rendered, "the chief cornering-stone"; it being such an one that is a foundation stone, as well as a cornerstone; and reached unto, and lay at the bottom of, and supported the four corners of the building; for the foundation and corner stone in this spiritual building, is one and the same stone, Christ: it is said of the temple of Latona, at Buto, in Egypt, that it was made, εξ ενος

λιθου, "of one stone", as Herodotus k an eyewitness of it, attests.

i Abot R. Nathan, c. 28. k Euterpe, c. 155.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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 the temple, or the residence of God; see the notes at Isaiah 54:11-12. That building, says Paul, was permanently founded, and was rising with great beauty of proportion, and with great majesty and splendor.

Of the apostles - The doctrines which they taught are the basis on which the church rests. It is “possible” that Paul referred here to a splendid edifice, particularly because the Ephesians were distinguished for their skill in architecture, and because the celebrated temple of Diana was among them. An allusion to a building, however, as an illustration of the church occurs several times in his other epistles, and was an allusion which would be everywhere understood.

And prophets - The prophets of the Old Testament, using the word, probably, to denote the Old Testament in general. That is, the doctrines of divine revelation, whether communicated by prophets or apostles, were laid at the foundation of the Christian church. It was not rounded on philosophy, or tradition, or on human laws, or on a venerable antiquity, but on the great truths which God had revealed. Paul does not say that it was founded on “Peter,” as the papists do, but on the prophets and apostles in general. If Peter had been the “vicegerent of Christ,” and the head of the church, it is incredible that his brother Paul should not have given him some honorable notice in this place. Why did he not allude to so important a fact? Would one who believed it have omitted it? Would a papist now omit it? Learn here:

(1) That no reliance is to be placed on philosophy as a basis of religious doctrine.

(2) That the traditions of people have no authority in the church, and constitute no part of the foundation.

(3) That nothing is to be regarded as a fundamental part of the Christian system, or as binding on the conscience, which cannot be found in the “prophets and apostles;” that is, as it means here, in the Holy Scriptures. No decrees of councils; no ordinances of synods; no “standard” of doctrines; no creed or confession, is to be urged as authority in forming the opinions of people. They may be valuable for some purposes, but not for this; they may be referred to as interesting parts of history, but not to form the faith of Christians; they may be used in the church to express its belief, but not to form it. What is based on the authority of apostles and prophets is true, and always true, and only true; what may be found elsewhere, may be valuable and true, or not, but, at any rate, is not to be used to control the faith of people.

Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone - see the note at Isaiah 28:16; Romans 9:33, note. The cornerstone is the most important in the building.

(1) Because the edifice rests mainly on the cornerstones. If they are small, and unstable, and settle down, the whole building is insecure; and hence care is taken to place a large stone firmly at each corner of an edifice.

(2) Because it occupies a conspicuous and honorable place. If documents or valuable articles are deposited at the foundation of a building it is within the cornerstone. The Lord Jesus is called the “cornerstone,” because the whole edifice rests on him, or he occupies a place relatively as important as the cornerstone of an edifice. Were it not for him, the edifice could not be sustained for a moment. Neither prophets nor apostles alone could sustain it; see the notes at 1 Corinthians 3:11; compare 1 Peter 2:6.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 20. And are built upon the foundation — Following the same metaphor, comparing the Church of Christ to a city, and to the temple, the believing Ephesians are represented as parts of that building; the living stones out of which it is principally formed, 1 Peter 2:4-5, having for foundation-the ground plan, specification, and principle on which it was builded, the doctrine taught by the prophets in the Old Testament, and the apostles in the New. Jesus Christ being that corner stone, or ακρογωνιαιος, the chief angle or foundation corner stone, the connecting medium by which both Jews and Gentiles were united in the same building. Elsewhere Jesus Christ is termed the foundation stone. Behold I lay in Zion a foundation stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, Isaiah 28:16; but the meaning is the same in all the places where these terms, foundation and corner stone, occur; for in laying the foundation of a building, a large stone is generally placed at one of the angles or corners, which serves to form a part of the two walls which meet in that angle. When, therefore, the apostle says that Jesus Christ is the chief corner stone, it means such a foundation stone as that above mentioned.


 
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