The Foundation and Cornerstone of the Church

Ephesians 2:20 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
²⁰having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the corner stone,

This verse is describing the church, or the community of believers, as being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone.

The phrase “the foundation of the apostles and prophets” suggests that the teachings and writings of the apostles and prophets form the foundation upon which the church is built. These teachings and writings contain the revelation of God’s truth and are essential for understanding and living out the Christian faith.

The phrase “chief cornerstone” suggests that Christ Jesus is the most important and central part of the church and that it is through Him that the church is able to stand and function. The image of a cornerstone suggests that Christ Jesus is the foundation upon which the church is built, and that He is the key to its unity and stability.

Overall, this verse is a reminder of the centrality of Christ Jesus in the church and the fact that the church is built upon the foundation of the teachings and writings of the apostles and prophets. It is a reminder of the importance of the revelation of God’s truth for understanding and living out the Christian faith.

Built – refers to the process of construction, suggesting that the church is being constructed or established.
On the foundation – refers to the foundation upon which the church is being built, which is the teachings and writings of the apostles and prophets. The foundation is the foundation of the truth, which is the foundation of the church.
Of the apostles and prophets – refers to the individuals who were chosen by God to lay the foundation of the church through the revelation of God’s truth and teachings. The apostles were the ones who were personally chosen by Jesus to be his closest followers and to spread the message of the gospel, while the prophets were individuals who were chosen by God to speak on his behalf and reveal his will to the people.
Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone – refers to Jesus Christ being the most important and foundational part of the church. He is not only part of the foundation but also the cornerstone that holds everything together, the main foundation stone.

This verse is describing the nature of the church, which is built upon the foundation of the teachings and writings of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ himself being the most important and foundational part of the church. The verse highlights the importance of the foundation of the church, which is the truth revealed by God through the apostles and prophets, and the centrality of Jesus Christ in the life and identity of the church.

Historical and Cultural Context

In terms of historical and cultural context, the book of Ephesians is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the early Christian community in Ephesus, a city in the Roman province of Asia (modern-day Turkey). The letter was likely written around 60-61 CE, during a time when the Christian church was still a relatively new and emerging movement within the larger Greco-Roman world.

In this verse, Paul emphasizes the foundational nature of the teachings and writings of the apostles and prophets, who were instrumental in laying the foundation of the Christian church. He also highlights the centrality of Jesus Christ as the cornerstone of the church, the one who holds everything together.

This verse can be understood in the context of the early Christian communities, where the teachings of Jesus and the apostles were still being passed down orally, the writings of the New Testament were not yet compiled, and the authority of the apostles and prophets were crucial for the foundation of the church. The letter of Ephesians is one of the Pauline epistles. As such, it emphasizes the unity of the church, which is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

In summary, Ephesians 2:20 describes the nature of the early Christian church, which is built upon the foundation of the teachings and writings of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ himself being the most important and foundational part of the church. The verse underscores the importance of the foundation of the church, which is the truth revealed by God through the apostles and prophets, and the centrality of Jesus Christ in the life and identity of the early Christian communities.