Useful Bible Studies > Ephesians Commentary > chapter 2

Christians are the temple of God

Ephesians 2:21

As a builder begins to build, he starts at the corner of the building. He places a strong, large block of stone, called the chief cornerstone, there. He then joins more stones, or bricks, to it. So, there is always a connection between every brick and stone in the building, and the cornerstone. Any brick or stone without a connection to the cornerstone, is not part of the building.

Every Christian needs to have a connection with Christ (John 15:1-9). In other words, a Christian is a person who has invited Christ into his life (John 1:12-13). That person’s relationship with Christ joins him both to Christ and to all other Christians. Christians should consider themselves to be brothers and sisters in God’s family (1 John 4:20-21).

In Ephesians 2:19-22, Paul uses a word-picture where he describes all Christians, everywhere, as God’s building. Here, he explains what kind of building this is. It is God’s temple, in other words, God’s own house. God, whose home in above the heavens, has chosen to live with his humble people (Isaiah 57:15). In other words, he is present in their lives (John 14:23; Romans 8:9-11); he joins with them when they meet to pray (Matthew 18:19-20). They receive life and strength from him (John 6:35; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10); he guides and directs their lives (Romans 8:14).

God’s temple in Jerusalem was a very holy place (Mark 11:15-17). In the same way, Christians need to recognise that they are all God’s holy people (1 Peter 2:9). They must not live to please themselves (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Instead, their ambition always should be to please God (2 Corinthians 5:9). Like the temple in Jerusalem, they belong to him.

Next part: Why Paul's message was so attractive in Ephesus (Ephesians 2:22)

 

Please use the links at the top of the page to find our other articles in this series. You can download all our articles if you go to the download page for our free 1000+ page course book.

 

© 2019, Keith Simons.