Eph 2:20-22 | RWP | e4.org | Being built upon ( εποικοδομηθεντες ). First aorist passive participle of εποικοδομεω , for which double compound verb see ; ; . The foundation ( επ τω θεμελιω ). Repetition of επ with the locative case. See 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 ( ). Paul repeats this language in . 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 ) and in the N.T. (here, ). 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 ( ), 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).

‏ Ephesians 2:20-22

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).

Each several building ( πασα οικοδομη ). So without article Aleph B D G K L. Οικοδομη is a late word from οικος and δεμω, to build for building up (edification) as in Eph 4:29, then for the building itself as here (Mr 13:1f.). Ordinary Greek idiom here calls for "every building," not for "all the building" (Robertson, Grammar, p. 772), though it is not perfectly clear what that means. Each believer is called a ναος θεου (1Co 3:16). One may note the plural in Mr 13:1 ( οικοδομα ) of the various parts of the temple. Perhaps that is the idea here without precise definition of each οικοδομη. But there are examples of πας without the article where "all" is the idea as in πασης κτισεως (all creation) in Col 1:15.

Fitly framed together ( συναρμολογουμενη ). Double compound from συν and αρμολογος (binding, αρμος, joint and λεγω ), apparently made by Paul and in N.T. only here and Eph 4:16. Architectural metaphor.

Into a holy temple ( εις ναον αγιον ). The whole structure with all the οικοδομα. Another metaphor for the Kingdom of God with which compare Peter's "spiritual house" ( οικος πνευματικος ) in which each is a living stone being built in (1Pe 2:5).

Ye also are builded together ( κα υμεις συνοικοδομεισθε ). Ye Gentiles also. Present passive indicative (continuous process) of common old verb συνοικοδομεω, to build together with others or out of varied materials as here. Only here in N.T. In 1Pe 2:5 Peter uses οικοδομεισθε for the same process.

For a habitation ( εις κατοικητηριον ). Late word (LXX), in N.T. only here and Re 18:2. From κατοικεω, to dwell, as Eph 3:17. Possibly each of us is meant here to be the "habitation of God in the Spirit" and all together growing ( αυξε ) "into a holy temple in the Lord," a noble conception of the brotherhood in Christ.