Ephesians 2:20

KJV

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];

KJV (with Strong's)

And are built {G2026} upon {G1909} the foundation {G2310} of the apostles {G652} and {G2532} prophets {G4396}, Jesus {G2424} Christ {G5547} himself {G846} being {G5607} the chief corner {G204} 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.

Berean Standard Bible

built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.

American Standard Version

being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ephesians 2:20 presents a profound architectural metaphor for the church, portraying it as a spiritual edifice divinely constructed upon a specific and unshakeable foundation. This verse reveals that believers are collectively built upon the authoritative teaching and witness of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ Himself serving as the indispensable and unifying chief cornerstone, ensuring the stability, alignment, and ultimate purpose of God's dwelling place among humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ephesians 2:20 is situated within a larger, pivotal section of Paul's letter (Ephesians 2:11-22) that addresses the profound reconciliation and unity achieved in Christ between previously alienated groups, specifically Jews and Gentiles. Paul begins by reminding Gentile believers of their former state of alienation from God and Israel (Ephesians 2:11-12). He then highlights Christ's work in breaking down the "dividing wall of hostility" through His sacrifice, thereby creating "one new man" out of two (Ephesians 2:14-15). This reconciliation culminates in both groups having access to the Father through one Spirit (Ephesians 2:18). The immediate preceding verse, [Ephesians 2:19](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints"), transitions from the concept of "strangers and foreigners" to "fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household," setting the stage for the architectural imagery of the church as a spiritual building or temple, where God Himself dwells. Verse 20 then specifies the foundational elements of this new, unified structure.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of a building, its foundation, and especially the cornerstone, would have been immediately comprehensible to Paul's original audience in Ephesus, a city renowned for its impressive architecture, including the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Ancient construction relied heavily on a robust foundation, and the "cornerstone" (Greek: _akrogōniaios_) was not merely any stone at a corner. It was often the first, most crucial stone laid, precisely cut and positioned at the intersection of two walls to establish the building's alignment, stability, and strength. This stone would bear immense weight and dictate the orientation for the entire structure. The concept of a foundational stone also resonates with Old Testament prophecies concerning a divine, chosen stone for Zion, such as those found in [Isaiah 28:16](/isaiah/28-16 "Isaiah 28:16 - God's Precious Cornerstone") and [Psalm 118:22](/psalm/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Stone the Builders Rejected"), which were understood to refer to the Messiah. The Ephesian church itself was a diverse community, comprising both Jewish and Gentile converts, making the message of unity and a shared foundation particularly relevant.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Ephesians and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it develops the theme of **the Church as a Spiritual Building or Temple**. Paul often uses this metaphor to describe the church's stability, interconnectedness, and divine purpose, as seen in [1 Corinthians 3:9](/1_corinthians/3-9 "1 Corinthians 3:9 - God's Building"). It underscores that the church is not a random collection of individuals but a cohesive, divinely designed structure being built up by God for His dwelling. Secondly, it highlights **the Foundation of Apostles and Prophets**. This refers to the authoritative teaching and revelation of God's redemptive plan given through the New Testament apostles and prophets, particularly concerning the person and work of Christ and the "mystery of Christ" (Ephesians 3:4-5), which includes the inclusion of Gentiles. Their inspired witness forms the bedrock of Christian doctrine, ensuring the church's adherence to truth. Finally, and most crucially, it emphasizes **Jesus Christ as the Chief Cornerstone**. This imagery, deeply rooted in Old Testament prophecy (e.g., [Psalm 118:22](/psalm/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Stone the Builders Rejected"), [Isaiah 28:16](/isaiah/28-16 "Isaiah 28:16 - God's Precious Cornerstone")), highlights Christ's supreme and indispensable role. He is not merely a part of the foundation but the principal stone that unites and aligns the entire edifice, providing stability and direction. Peter explicitly applies this title to Christ in [Acts 4:11](/acts/4-11 "Acts 4:11 - Peter's Sermon on Christ the Cornerstone"), underscoring His unique and preeminent position.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **built upon (Greek, _epoikodoméō'_):** This compound verb, derived from _epí_ (upon) and _oikodoméō_ (to build), precisely means "to build upon" or "to rear up." It conveys the ongoing process of construction, emphasizing that believers are actively being added to and integrated into a structure that rests firmly on a pre-existing base. The passive voice ("are built") indicates that God is the primary agent in this construction.
* **foundation (Greek, _themélios'_):** This noun refers to "something put down," specifically a "substruction" or "groundwork" of a building. It signifies the solid base or initial layer upon which the rest of the structure is erected. In a figurative sense, it represents the fundamental principles, teachings, or persons that provide the essential support and stability for an entire system or institution.
* **chief corner (Greek, _akrogōniaîos'_):** This term is a compound of _ákron_ (extreme, highest point) and _gōnía_ (corner). It denotes "belonging to the extreme corner" or "the chief corner." This stone was critical in ancient architecture, not just for joining two walls at an angle, but often for establishing the entire building's orientation, strength, and alignment. It was the principal, most vital stone, without which the structure would lack integrity and proper form.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets":** This clause describes the ongoing construction of the church, with believers being the "living stones" (as in [1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones")) that comprise it. The "foundation" here refers to the authoritative and inspired teaching, witness, and revelation delivered by the New Testament apostles and prophets. These individuals were uniquely commissioned by Christ to lay down the foundational truths of the Gospel, particularly concerning Christ's person and work, and the nature of the church as God's new community. This foundation is not merely their persons, but the divine truth they proclaimed and recorded, which serves as the bedrock of Christian doctrine and practice.
* **"Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];":** This second clause identifies the preeminent and indispensable element of the church's foundation. Jesus Christ is not merely part of the foundation alongside the apostles and prophets; He is the "chief cornerstone." This signifies His unique and supreme position. He is the unifying element that brings together both sides of the building (Jew and Gentile), provides perfect alignment for every other stone, and bears the ultimate weight and responsibility for the entire structure's integrity. His deity, His atoning work, His resurrection, and His ongoing headship are the ultimate reality upon which the entire Christian faith and the church are built and sustained. The phrase "himself being" emphasizes His personal and active role in this foundational capacity.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs a powerful **Metaphor** in Ephesians 2:20, likening the church to a spiritual building or temple. This extended metaphor provides a vivid and tangible way to understand the church's structure, purpose, and interconnectedness. Within this overarching metaphor, there is significant **Symbolism**. The "foundation of the apostles and prophets" symbolizes the essential, authoritative revelation of God's truth delivered through them, which undergirds all Christian belief and practice. The "chief cornerstone" is a potent symbol for Jesus Christ, representing His absolute supremacy, His unifying power (bringing Jew and Gentile together), His foundational role in establishing the church, and His function as the ultimate source of stability, alignment, and direction for the entire spiritual edifice. The use of this architectural **Analogy** allows Paul to convey complex theological truths about the church's divine origin, its unity, and Christ's central role in a clear and memorable way.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ephesians 2:20 profoundly shapes our understanding of the church's nature and Christ's supremacy within it. Theologically, it asserts that the church is not a human construct but a divinely ordained and built entity, with God as the master architect. The foundation laid by the apostles and prophets signifies the non-negotiable authority of their inspired teaching, which reveals Christ and His redemptive work. This teaching, preserved in Scripture, provides the essential framework for all true Christian faith and practice. Most importantly, the verse unequivocally declares Christ's unique and preeminent position as the chief cornerstone, meaning He is the ultimate source of the church's unity, stability, and direction. All parts of the church must align with Him and derive their purpose from Him. This imagery emphasizes the church's identity as a unified, holy dwelling place for God, built upon a singular, divine blueprint.

* [1 Corinthians 3:10-11](/1_corinthians/3-10-11 "1 Corinthians 3:10-11 - Christ the Only Foundation")
* [Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Christ Builds His Church")
* [Revelation 21:14](/revelation/21-14 "Revelation 21:14 - Foundations of the New Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ephesians 2:20 offers profound implications for both individual believers and the corporate body of Christ today. For the individual, it calls for a deep grounding of faith in the foundational truths delivered by the apostles and prophets, which are preserved in the New Testament. Our understanding of God, salvation, and the Christian life must be built firmly upon these revealed doctrines, ensuring that our faith is not swayed by fleeting trends or false teachings. For the church, this verse underscores the critical importance of maintaining fidelity to the apostolic witness, especially concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is not merely a part of our doctrine but the very cornerstone who defines our identity, unites our diverse members, and directs our mission. This means that every aspect of church life—worship, teaching, fellowship, and outreach—must be Christ-centered, deriving its purpose and power from Him. Recognizing this shared, divine foundation should foster profound unity among believers, transcending all social, ethnic, or denominational divides, as we are all being built together into a holy dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways does my personal faith or our church's practice demonstrate that Jesus Christ is truly the "chief cornerstone" of our lives and ministry?**
* **How diligently do I, or does our church, seek to understand and adhere to the "foundation of the apostles and prophets" as revealed in Scripture?**
* **Considering the church as a spiritual building, what is my role as a "living stone" in contributing to its stability, unity, and growth?**
* **How does the truth of Christ being the chief cornerstone challenge any divisions or disunity within the body of Christ today?**

### FAQ

**What exactly is meant by "the foundation of the apostles and prophets"?**

Answer: This phrase refers primarily to the authoritative teaching and revelation given by God through the New Testament apostles and prophets. It's not that the apostles and prophets themselves are the physical foundation in the sense of being worshipped or replacing Christ, but rather the divinely inspired message and doctrine they proclaimed and recorded. This message centers on the person and work of Jesus Christ, His atoning sacrifice, His resurrection, and the mystery of the church (God's plan to unite Jews and Gentiles in one body). Their witness forms the bedrock of Christian truth and doctrine, upon which all subsequent generations of believers build their faith and practice. This foundation ensures the church's adherence to truth and its proper understanding of God's redemptive plan, as seen in passages like [1 Corinthians 3:10-11](/1_corinthians/3-10-11 "1 Corinthians 3:10-11 - Christ the Only Foundation"), where Paul speaks of laying a foundation, which is Christ.

**Why is Jesus Christ called the "chief corner stone"?**

Answer: The "chief cornerstone" (Greek: _akrogōniaîos_) was the most critical stone in ancient construction. It was typically the first stone laid at the corner of a building, precisely cut and positioned to align two walls and establish the true bearing for the entire structure. It bore immense weight and determined the stability, squareness, and overall integrity of the edifice. Calling Jesus Christ the "chief cornerstone" highlights several profound truths:
1. **Centrality and Preeminence:** He is the most important and indispensable element of the church's foundation.
2. **Unifying Power:** He brings together disparate elements (like Jew and Gentile) into a cohesive whole, just as a cornerstone unites two walls.
3. **Stability and Security:** He provides ultimate strength and steadfastness to the entire spiritual building.
4. **Alignment and Direction:** All other parts of the church must align with Him and derive their proper position and purpose from Him.
This imagery is rooted in Old Testament prophecies (e.g., [Psalm 118:22](/psalm/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Stone the Builders Rejected"), [Isaiah 28:16](/isaiah/28-16 "Isaiah 28:16 - God's Precious Cornerstone")) and applied directly to Christ by the apostles (e.g., [Acts 4:11](/acts/4-11 "Acts 4:11 - Peter's Sermon on Christ the Cornerstone"), [1 Peter 2:6-8](/1_peter/2-6-8 "1 Peter 2:6-8 - Christ the Living Stone")).

**How does this verse relate to the unity of the church?**

Answer: Ephesians 2:20 is deeply intertwined with the theme of unity, which is central to Ephesians 2. Paul has just explained how Christ has broken down the "dividing wall of hostility" between Jews and Gentiles, creating "one new man" (Ephesians 2:14-15). This verse then describes how these two previously alienated groups are now being built together into one unified spiritual temple. The "chief cornerstone," Jesus Christ, is the one who perfectly joins and aligns these diverse components. The foundation laid by the apostles and prophets represents the singular, authoritative truth of the Gospel that both groups embrace. Therefore, the verse underscores that true church unity is not based on cultural conformity or human agreement, but on a shared, foundational commitment to the apostolic teaching, with Jesus Christ as the supreme, unifying, and aligning Head of the entire body. This unity is a testament to God's reconciling power in Christ, making the church a dwelling place for God in the Spirit (Ephesians 2:21-22).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ephesians 2:20 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the prophesied "stone which the builders rejected" that has become "the head of the corner" ([Psalm 118:22](/psalm/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Stone the Builders Rejected")), a prophecy directly applied to Him by Peter in [Acts 4:11](/acts/4-11 "Acts 4:11 - Peter's Sermon on Christ the Cornerstone"). Christ is not merely a component of the church's foundation, but the very essence and unifying principle of it. He is the ultimate revelation of God, through whom God has spoken most fully ([Hebrews 1:1-3](/hebrews/1-1-3 "Hebrews 1:1-3 - God Speaks Through His Son")), and thus the content of the apostles' and prophets' message is fundamentally about Him. The church, as the new temple, is built upon His finished work on the cross, His resurrection, and His ongoing headship. Every "living stone" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones")) is shaped by Him, aligned to Him, and finds its purpose in Him. Through Christ, the once-divided humanity of Jew and Gentile is reconciled and integrated into a single, unified spiritual dwelling place for God, demonstrating His power to break down barriers and build a new creation that continually grows up into Him who is the Head ([Ephesians 4:15-16](/ephesians/4-15-16 "Ephesians 4:15-16 - Growing Up Into Christ")). Thus, Christ is not just the foundation; He is the architect, the builder, and the very purpose of the church's existence, ensuring its eternal stability and its glorious destiny as the dwelling place of God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Peter 2:4

¶ To whom coming, [as unto] a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, [and] precious,

1 Peter 2:5

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 28:16

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

1 Peter 2:7

Unto you therefore which believe [he is] precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

1 Peter 2:8

And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

Matthew 16:18

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Ephesians 4:11

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;