Ephesians 2:20 Meaning and Explanation
“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God's people are a building raised on the apostles' witness, with Christ Himself as the stone that holds the whole thing true.
What Does Ephesians 2:20 Mean?
Paul has just called the believers God's household, and now he shows what kind of house it is. It is built, a structure rising course by course, resting on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, those who first carried God's word. At the heart of the image is the chief corner stone. In ancient building the cornerstone was set first and set true, the one stone that fixed the line and the level for every wall that followed. Everything was measured against it.
That stone is Jesus Christ himself. He is the one fixed point the whole house is squared by, and without Him the walls would lean and the structure fall. The same Jesus who gathers outsiders into a family is the One who holds that family together and keeps it true. Every believer is a stone in this rising house, joined to the others and resting, in the end, on Him.
Ephesians 2:20 in the Original Language
akrogoniaios (ἀκρογωνιαῖος), 'chief corner stone' -- the cornerstone set first at the angle of a building, fixing the line and the level for all the rest.
How to Apply Ephesians 2:20 Today
Our lives, and the whole company of God's people, rest on one fixed point that holds everything true: Jesus Christ the cornerstone. When we feel out of line or unsteady, we have someone sure to be squared against again.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ephesians 2:20
What does Ephesians 2:20 mean?
God's people are a building raised on the apostles' witness, with Christ Himself as the stone that holds the whole thing true.
How can I apply Ephesians 2:20 today?
Our lives, and the whole company of God's people, rest on one fixed point that holds everything true: Jesus Christ the cornerstone. When we feel out of line or unsteady, we have someone sure to be squared against again.