Chapter 2
Amplified Bible:
19 Therefore you are no longer outsiders (exiles, migrants, and aliens, excluded from the rights of citizens), but you now share citizenship with the saints (God's own people, consecrated and set apart for Himself); and you belong to God's [own] household.
20 You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the chief Cornerstone.
21 In Him the whole structure is joined (bound, welded) together harmoniously, and it continues to rise (grow, increase) into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, consecrated, and sacred to the presence of the Lord].
22 In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you yourselves also are being built up [into this structure] with the rest, to form a fixed abode (dwelling place) of God in (by, through) the Spirit.
Again, we find ourselves hearing Paul talk about how the two (Jew and Gentile) have been made one. He tells us what they were. He tells us how the new creation has changed them. It reminds me of when God brought the children of Israel from Egypt to the wilderness. One of the first things He did was define their identity. He is doing it again through the effort of Paul.
Just like He gave them a sanctuary in the wilderness to explain the plan of salvation, the roles of God, and the method of becoming one with Him, Paul is doing the same here. If we could more clearly see the golden thread of love that goes all through scripture, we would recognize the similarities in the stories. We would see the oneness of all things even there.
God intended for His people to be a positive influence to others after they entered the promised land. They settled down, wanted to be like the world in wanting a king, and worshipped themselves in the form of whatever idol that they chose at the time. The oneness that God wanted to happen did not.
Paul is telling us that we belong to the household of God. Verse 21 really amazes me. “In Him the whole structure is joined (bound, welded) together harmoniously, and it continues to rise (grow, increase) into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, consecrated, and sacred to the presence of the Lord].” This wonderful holy temple is being built up in Him. It is sacred to the presence of the Lord.
What I see in this is that it does not happen unless in happens “In Him.” It is bound together harmoniously. It continues to grow. This is not a static place. It has life. Its growing and increasing is in Him, and it is sacred to His presence.
John 14:2 says in the King James Version, "In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." In the NASB it says, "In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you." In the ancient culture, a father's house was where the extended family lived. Rooms were often added on as the family grew through birth and marriage. What Jesus was doing was using the present day illustration of a loving, tight, family community.
The word translated “mansions” or “rooms” means literally “the act of staying or residing.” So, putting the Greek together, Jesus is saying that in God’s home there will be many people in the family of God all abiding together. Within God's heavenly house, God's children will live in the presence of the Lord. This is quite different from the idea of rows of mansions on streets of gold, which is the image many people have of what Jesus was saying.
“Praise is God’s address; it is where He lives. If you want to be where God lives, you must offer Him praise. John 14:2 says in the King James Version, "In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." In the NASB it says, "In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you." In the ancient culture, a father's house was where the extended family lived. Rooms were often added on as the family grew through birth and marriage. What Jesus was doing was using the present day illustration of a loving, tight, family community.
“The Hebrew word that means ‘to live in a place’ is the same word for ‘to sit.’ A settlement, for instance, is a place of sitting. The New King James Bible has beautifully translated that verse as: “You are holy; enthroned in the praises of Israel.” Praise is God’s throne. Our praise does not make Him a King; He is a King whether we praise Him or not. But when we praise Him, we offer Him His throne. We welcome Him and recognize His Kingship. Praise is God’s dwelling place and His throne.”
Verse 20 tells us that this dwelling is built on the foundation of apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus, the corner stone. Like the book of Matthew stresses the authenticity of Christ in the lineage of David, this reminds us that the corner stone is Jesus and that it has been foretold by prophets and the apostles. Two or three witnesses is a concept that is important in the Bible, and here you have the second and third witnesses. There is nothing coincidental in the Bible.
Verse 22 ends by telling us: “In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you yourselves also are being built up [into this structure] with the rest, to form a fixed abode (dwelling place) of God in (by, through) the Spirit.” I sit and look at these words and am amazed. The unity / oneness idea is so much a part of this dwelling place for the Godhead and us. It comes through the Spirit. This type of oneness has no room for anything selfish, self-centered, and ego-centric. John 3:30: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” If you look at this, it is a type of coming together. I believe it is a coming together in the oneness that is longed for by Heaven.
We have reached the end of Ephesians 2. I do not begin to think that I have done justice to everything that is here. I can put words on the paper. I would like to think that some of the passion of Paul is put on the paper, too. To do justice to the mystery of God may be very much beyond me. Just once in a while do I see a glimpse of it. I commend you for staying with this Ephesians journey with me. Often, when we move from devotional thoughts to Bible study, the interest falls. Physical recovery from this thing that overtook me in January gives me the time to do this study. Spiritual recovery and renewal we all need. My hope is that this Ephesians journey has been helpful to you in that way. A change of perspective is often what is needed. God bless.
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