Ephesians 2:22

KJV

In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

KJV (with Strong's)

In {G1722} whom {G3739} ye {G5210} also {G2532} are builded together {G4925} for {G1519} an habitation {G2732} of God {G2316} through {G1722} the Spirit {G4151}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yes, in union with him, you yourselves are being built together into a spiritual dwelling-place for God!

Berean Standard Bible

And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit.

American Standard Version

in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ephesians 2:22 culminates Paul's profound architectural metaphor, revealing that believers, once alienated Gentiles and Jews, are now being intricately joined together into a unified spiritual edifice. This new structure is not merely a gathering place but is specifically designed to be a permanent dwelling place for God Himself, whose presence is made real and active within this community through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. This verse underscores the corporate identity of the church as God's living temple, where He chooses to reside among His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ephesians 2:22 is the climactic statement in a passage (Ephesians 2:11-22) where Paul meticulously dismantles the historical and spiritual barriers between Jews and Gentiles. He begins by reminding the Gentile believers of their former state of alienation from Christ, the commonwealth of Israel, and the covenants of promise, describing them as "without God in the world" [Ephesians 2:12](/ephesians/2-12 "Ephesians 2:12 - Gentiles without Christ"). Paul then declares that through Christ's sacrifice on the cross, the "middle wall of partition" has been broken down, creating "one new man" out of two [Ephesians 2:14-15](/ephesians/2-14-15 "Ephesians 2:14-15 - Christ Breaking Down the Wall"). This reconciliation extends not only between Jew and Gentile but also between humanity and God. Verses 19-21 transition into an architectural metaphor, portraying believers as "fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God," built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus as the "chief corner stone" [Ephesians 2:19-20](/ephesians/2-19-20 "Ephesians 2:19-20 - The Church as God's Household and Temple"). Ephesians 2:22 completes this imagery, articulating the ultimate purpose of this spiritual building: to be a divine habitation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of God's dwelling place was profoundly significant in the ancient world, particularly for the Jewish people. From the Tabernacle in the wilderness to Solomon's Temple and its subsequent rebuilds, a physical structure in Jerusalem was understood as the locus of God's presence on earth. This physical temple served as a powerful symbol of God's covenant relationship with Israel and was central to their religious and national identity. For Gentiles, such a concept was foreign, often associated with pagan temples housing idols. Paul's declaration that God now dwells "through the Spirit" in a collective body of believers—comprising both Jews and Gentiles—was revolutionary. It transcended geographical and ethnic boundaries, redefining the very nature of sacred space and divine presence. This redefinition challenged deeply ingrained cultural norms and theological understandings, asserting that God's presence was no longer confined to a physical building or an exclusive ethnic group but was accessible to all who are in Christ.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Ephesians and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Habitation**, asserting that God's presence is not distant but intimately indwells His people, the church. This shifts the focus from a physical temple to a spiritual one, aligning with the New Covenant reality where God's Spirit dwells within believers individually and corporately. Secondly, the theme of **Unity and Community** is paramount. The phrase "builded together" highlights the essential unity of all believers, regardless of their former ethnic or social distinctions. It's not a collection of isolated individuals but a cohesive, interconnected structure, reflecting Christ's work in breaking down dividing walls [Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace"). This unity is foundational for the church to function as God's dwelling place. Lastly, the **Role of the Holy Spirit** is crucial. The Spirit is presented as the divine agent who enables this spiritual construction and facilitates God's indwelling. It is "through the Spirit" that this sacred reality is actualized, making the church a living temple animated by God Himself, a truth echoed in passages like [1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - Believers as God's Temple").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **builded together (Greek, _synoikodoméō'_):** From G4925, a compound verb formed from `σύν` (syn, "with, together") and `οἰκοδομέω` (oikodomeō, "to build"). This word signifies a co-construction or a building up in company with others. Its passive form ("are builded together") emphasizes that this is a divine work, with believers being the recipients of this building process, yet it also implies their active participation in contributing to the collective structure. It powerfully conveys the idea of communal effort and divine orchestration in forming a unified spiritual temple.
* **habitation (Greek, _katoikētḗrion'_):** From G2732, this noun denotes a permanent dwelling place or residence. Unlike a temporary lodging, `katoikētḗrion` emphasizes God's enduring, settled, and committed presence within His church. It signifies a place where one is firmly established and intends to remain, underscoring the profound and lasting nature of God's indwelling in the community of believers.
* **Spirit (Greek, _pneûma'_):** From G4151, this term refers to a current of air, breath, or a breeze, but in a theological context, it refers to a spirit, specifically the Holy Spirit. In this verse, `pneûma` identifies the divine agent through whom God's presence is actualized within the church. It is the Holy Spirit who unifies believers, empowers them, and makes the corporate body a living, dynamic dwelling place for God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In whom ye also are builded together":** This phrase links back to "Christ Jesus Himself being the chief corner stone" mentioned in [Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ the Cornerstone"). It signifies that believers, specifically including the Gentile audience ("ye also"), are actively being incorporated into this spiritual structure, with Christ as the foundational and unifying element. The passive voice "are builded together" highlights that this is God's work, but it implies the necessary cooperation and interconnectedness of each believer.
* **"for an habitation of God":** This clause declares the ultimate purpose and destiny of this spiritual building. The church is not built for its own sake, nor merely for human fellowship, but specifically to be a dwelling place for God. The term "habitation" (katoikētērion) emphasizes a permanent and settled residence, indicating God's desire for an intimate, enduring presence among His people, a fulfillment of ancient prophecies where God promised to dwell with humanity.
* **"through the Spirit":** This final phrase identifies the divine means by which this habitation is realized. It is the Holy Spirit who enables the unity, growth, and divine indwelling within the church. The Spirit is the active agent who empowers believers, integrates them into one body, and makes God's presence tangible and dynamic within the community. This underscores the Trinitarian nature of salvation and the church's existence, with the Father's plan realized in the Son and actualized by the Spirit.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs a powerful **Metaphor** throughout this passage, likening the church to a building or temple. This architectural imagery provides a concrete and relatable way to understand abstract spiritual realities. The progression from foundation to cornerstone to the entire structure being "builded together" vividly illustrates the organic growth and divine construction of the church. This metaphor carries significant **Symbolism**, as the temple in Jewish tradition was the preeminent symbol of God's presence. By declaring the church to be God's new "habitation," Paul redefines sacred space, indicating that God's presence is now found not in a physical edifice but in the community of believers. Furthermore, there is an element of **Agency** attributed to the Holy Spirit, who is depicted as the active force "through" whom this divine dwelling is accomplished, highlighting the Spirit's indispensable role in the life and formation of the church.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ephesians 2:22 articulates a profound truth about the nature of the church: it is not merely a human organization or a collection of individuals, but a divinely constructed and inhabited reality. This concept of the church as God's dwelling place fulfills Old Testament prophecies concerning God's desire to dwell among His people (e.g., [Exodus 29:45](/exodus/29-45 "Exodus 29:45 - God's Dwelling Among Israel")). The shift from a physical temple to a spiritual one, composed of believers from every nation, signifies the expansive and inclusive nature of God's New Covenant. The Holy Spirit's role is pivotal, as He is the one who enables this corporate indwelling, unifying diverse individuals into a coherent body where God's presence is manifested. This theological reality calls believers to a profound reverence for the church and a commitment to preserving its unity and holiness, recognizing that it is the very place where God has chosen to make His home on earth.

* [1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "Believers as God's Temple")
* [1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "Living Stones in a Spiritual House")
* [Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "God's Dwelling with Humanity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ephesians 2:22 offers a breathtaking vision of the church's identity and purpose, calling believers to live in light of this profound truth. To understand ourselves as part of God's "habitation" is to grasp our corporate significance and the sacredness of our shared life in Christ. This means that our interactions within the church are not merely social gatherings but are integral to manifesting God's presence in the world. It compels us to prioritize unity, mutual edification, and spiritual growth, recognizing that every act of love, forgiveness, and service contributes to the strength and beauty of this spiritual temple. When we live in harmony, exercising our spiritual gifts and submitting to Christ as our cornerstone, we become a more evident and glorious dwelling place for God's Spirit. This understanding should inspire us to live lives worthy of our high calling, demonstrating God's character and presence to a watching world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the church as God's "habitation through the Spirit" change your perception of your local congregation?**
* **What specific actions can you take to contribute to the unity and spiritual health of your church, recognizing its role as God's dwelling place?**
* **In what ways does the Holy Spirit actively work in your life and in your community to build up this spiritual temple?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean for the church to be "an habitation of God"?**

Answer: For the church to be "an habitation of God" means that God Himself chooses to dwell within the collective body of believers, rather than in a physical building. This signifies a profound shift from the Old Testament concept of God's presence being localized in the Temple in Jerusalem. In the New Covenant, through the Holy Spirit, God's presence is now manifested among His people, the church, making them a living, spiritual temple. This implies that the church is a sacred space, not because of its architecture, but because of the divine presence within it, as echoed in [1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "Ephesians 3:16 - Believers as God's Temple") and [2 Corinthians 6:16](/2_corinthians/6-16 "2 Corinthians 6:16 - God's Temple").

**How are believers "builded together" for this purpose?**

Answer: Believers are "builded together" through their union with Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. This process involves the reconciliation of diverse individuals (Jew and Gentile, as highlighted in [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace and Reconciler")) into one unified body. Each believer is like a "living stone" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House")) being fitted into place by God, with Christ as the foundational cornerstone ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ the Cornerstone")). This building process is ongoing, involving mutual edification, spiritual growth, and the exercise of spiritual gifts, all empowered and directed by the Holy Spirit.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ephesians 2:22 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who is not only the "chief corner stone" upon whom this spiritual temple is built ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ the Cornerstone")) but also the very means by which God's dwelling among humanity is made possible. Before Christ, humanity was alienated from God due to sin, but Jesus, through His sacrificial death on the cross, broke down the dividing wall of hostility and reconciled both Jews and Gentiles to God in one body ([Ephesians 2:13-16](/ephesians/2-13-16 "Ephesians 2:13-16 - Reconciliation Through Christ's Blood")). It is "in Him" that believers are being "builded together," signifying that the very structure and unity of this divine habitation are contingent upon their union with Christ. Furthermore, the "Spirit" through whom God dwells is none other than the Spirit of Christ, poured out upon His church following His ascension ([Acts 2:33](/acts/2-33 "Acts 2:33 - The Holy Spirit Poured Out")). Thus, the church as God's habitation is a direct result of Christ's redemptive work, His ongoing headship over His body ([Ephesians 1:22-23](/ephesians/1-22-23 "Ephesians 1:22-23 - Christ as Head of the Church")), and the indwelling presence of His Spirit, making the church the visible manifestation of God's presence in the world through His Son.

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.

1 Corinthians 3:16

¶ Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

John 17:21

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

John 17:23

I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

1 John 4:16

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

1 John 4:13

Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.