‏ Ephesians 2:20

 Being built upon ( εποικοδομηθεντες ). First aorist passive participle of  εποικοδομεω, for which double compound verb see 1Co 3:10; Co; 2:17.

 The foundation ( επ τω θεμελιω ). Repetition of  επ with the locative case. See 1Co 3:11 for this word.

 Of the apostles and prophets ( τον αποστολων κα προφητων ). Genitive of apposition with  θεμελιω, consisting in. If one is surprised that Paul should refer so to the apostles, he being one himself, Peter does the same thing (2Pe 3:2). Paul repeats this language in 3:5.

 Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone ( οντως ακρογωνιανιου αυτου Χριστου Ιησου ). Genitive absolute. The compound  ακρογωνιαιος occurs only in the LXX (first in Isa 28:16) and in the N.T. (here, 1Pe 2:6).  Λιθος (stone) is understood. Jesus had spoken of himself as the stone, rejected by the Jewish builders (experts), but chosen of God as the head of the corner (Mt 21:42),  εις κεφαλην γωνιας. "The  ακρογωνιαιος here is the primary foundation-stone at the angle of the structure by which the architect fixes a standard for the bearings of the walls and cross-walls throughout" (W. W. Lloyd).

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