{"id":29188,"date":"2022-09-24T13:10:20","date_gmt":"2022-09-24T18:10:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/exegetical-and-hermeneutical-commentary-of-ephesians-221\/"},"modified":"2022-09-24T13:10:20","modified_gmt":"2022-09-24T18:10:20","slug":"exegetical-and-hermeneutical-commentary-of-ephesians-221","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/exegetical-and-hermeneutical-commentary-of-ephesians-221\/","title":{"rendered":"Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ephesians 2:21"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3 align='center'><b><i> In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord: <\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n<p> <strong> 21<\/strong>. <em> in whom<\/em> ] In close and vital connexion with Whom. See last note.<\/p>\n<p><em> all the building<\/em> ] R. V., &ldquo; <em> each several building;<\/em> &rdquo; as if the great Temple were viewed for the moment in its multiplicity of porches, courts, and towers; each connected with the great bond of the substructure, in and on which the whole architecture was rising. An interesting grammatical question arises over the reading here and this rendering, and will occur again <span class='bible'>Eph 3:15<\/span>: does the Greek phrase, in the best attested reading, <em> demand<\/em> the rendering of the R. V. as against that of the A. V.? We incline to the reply that it does not. The law of the definite article (the absence of which here occasions the question) is undoubtedly somewhat less exact in the Greek of the Scriptures than in that of the classics. And this leaves us free to use (with caution) <em> the<\/em> context to decide problems which in the classics would be decided by pure grammar. Such a case we take this to be; and the question to ask is, does the context favour the imagery of <em> detail<\/em> or that of <em> total?<\/em> Surely the latter. The idea points to one great building, getting completed within itself, rising to its ideal. We retain accordingly the A. V. See further, next note.<\/p>\n<p><em> fitly framed together<\/em> ] One word, a present participle, in the Greek. The same occurs below, <span class='bible'>Eph 4:16<\/span> (&ldquo;fitly <em> joined<\/em> together&rdquo;), and nowhere else in N. T. The idea is not of a completed but of a progressive work, a &ldquo;framing together&rdquo; of the structure ever more closely and firmly. The building shrinks into greater solidity, binds itself into more intense coherence, as it grows. The spiritual union of the saints needs but to be more believed and realized to tell more on their actual closeness of connexion. The idea conveyed by this word, which is of course in the singular number, is (see last note) far rather that of one great building growing in internal solidity than of many buildings growing in contact.<\/p>\n<p><em> groweth<\/em> ] with the perpetual addition of new &ldquo;living stones&rdquo; (<span class='bible'>1Pe 2:5<\/span>) and the resulting new connexions. Observe two distinct ideas in harmony; growth in compactness, growth in extension.<\/p>\n<p><em> unto a holy temple<\/em> ] R. V., margin, &ldquo;into an holy <strong> sanctuary<\/strong>.&rdquo; The Greek ( <em> nos<\/em>) is not the temple- <em> area<\/em> with its courts and porches ( <em> hiron<\/em>), but the temple- <em> house;<\/em> the place of the Presence. The phrase, &ldquo;unto,&rdquo; &ldquo;into,&rdquo; suggests (like that in the next verse) a sanctuary not yet complete and ready for the Presence. The true Church, indeed, <em> is already<\/em> (<span class='bible'>1Co 3:16<\/span>; <span class='bible'>2Co 6:16<\/span>; and cp. <span class='bible'>1Co 6:19<\/span> of its individual members) &ldquo;the sanctuary of the living God.&rdquo; But it is this as a still imperfect thing, and still imperfectly; the absolute and final in the matter is yet to come; and this will so transcend the partial and actual that it is spoken of <em> as if<\/em> the Indwelling were not yet. We may faintly illustrate by an unfinished cathedral, used already for Divine worship, but not yet ideally prepared for it. See <span class='bible'>Rev 21:22<\/span> for another side of truth in temple-imagery. There, in the final state, there is &ldquo;no sanctuary,&rdquo; for God and the Lamb &ldquo;are the sanctuary of&rdquo; the holy City. All, absolutely all, is hallowed by Their Presence indwelling; Sanctuary and Shechinah are, <em> as it were<\/em>, one; and nothing is there that is not Sanctuary.<\/p>\n<p> Great indeed is the conception in this passage. The saints, in their community &ldquo;in the Lord,&rdquo; are preparing, through an Indwelling partial though real, for an Indwelling complete and eternal; the two being, in continuity, one. In no mere figure of speech, their God already &ldquo;dwells&rdquo; in their bodies, and in their community; dwells there as in a Sanctuary in manifested Light, in Peace of covenant and propitiation, in Oracle-speech of &ldquo;the Spirit&rsquo;s witness,&rdquo; in eternal Life. And this precious present fact is germinating to the future result of a heavenly and everlasting Indwelling (likewise in individuals and in community), when the Sanctuary shall reflect without a flaw its Indweller&rsquo;s glory; when our union and communion with Him, in other words, shall be perfect, absolute, ideal. &ldquo;We shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><em> in the Lord<\/em> ] The Lord Christ. We have &ldquo;God&rdquo; in the next verse, in a way which indicates this distinctive reference here. The imagery leaves the precise idea of the Corner Stone, to present the Lord as the living bond and principle, the secret both of growth and sanctity.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><P STYLE=\"text-indent: 0.75em\"><B>In whom &#8211; <\/B>That is, by whom, or upon whom. It was in connection with him, or by being reared on him as a foundation.<\/P> <P STYLE=\"text-indent: 0.75em\"><B>All the building &#8211; <\/B>The whole church of Christ.<\/P> <P STYLE=\"text-indent: 0.75em\"><B>Fitly framed together &#8211; <\/B>The word used here means to joint together, as a carpenter does the frame-work of a building. The materials are accurately and carefully united by mortises and tenons. so that the building shall be firm. Different materials may be used, and different kinds of timber may be employed, but one part shall be worked into another, so as to constitute a durable and beautiful edifice. So in the church. The different materials of the Jews and Gentiles; the people of various nations, though heretofore separated and discordant, become now united, and form an harmonious society. They believe the same doctrines; worship the same God; practice the same holiness; and look forward to the same heaven.<\/P> <P STYLE=\"text-indent: 0.75em\"><B>Groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord &#8211; <\/B>see the <span class='bible'>1Co 3:17<\/span> note; <span class='bible'>2Co 6:16<\/span> note.<\/P> <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Albert Barnes&#8217; Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><P>  Verse 21.  <I><B>In whom<\/B><\/I>] By which foundation corner stone, Christ Jesus, <I>all the building<\/I>, composed of converted Jews and Gentiles, <I>fitly framed together<\/I>, , <I>properly jointed and<\/I> <I>connected together, groweth unto a holy temple<\/I>-is <I>continually<\/I> <I>increasing<\/I>, as new converts from Judaism or heathenism flock into it.  It is not a <I>finished<\/I> building, but will continue to <I>increase<\/I>, and be <I>more<\/I> and <I>more perfect<\/I>, till the day of judgment.<\/P><\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Adam Clarke&#8217;s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><P> <B>In whom; <\/B>or upon whom, viz. Christ the foundation. <\/P> <P><B>All the building; <\/B>whatsoever is built on Christ the foundation, and so all particular believers, as the several parts of the building. <\/P> <P><B>Fitly framed together; <\/B>joined and united both to Christ the foundation by faith, and to each other by love. <\/P> <P><B>Groweth; <\/B>either: <\/P> <P STYLE=\"margin-left: 0.85em;text-indent: -0.85em\"> 1. Ariseth; the building goeth on till it comes to be a temple. Or: <\/P> <P STYLE=\"margin-left: 0.85em;text-indent: -0.85em\"> 2. It notes the stones or materials of the house to be living ones, receiving life from Christ, <span class='bible'>1Pe 2:5<\/span>. Growth supposeth life. The verb is in the present tense, to signify that the builders are still at work, and this temple not yet finished. <\/P> <P><B>Unto an holy temple; <\/B>in allusion to the temple at Jerusalem; whereas the holy of holies was a type of heaven, so the temple itself was a type of the church, both as it was the place of Gods presence, and of his worship. <\/P> <P><B>In the Lord:<\/B> either this must be joined to <\/P> <P><B>groweth, <\/B>and then it is a pleonasm, the antecedent being here repeated, though the relative had been expressed, and it implies the growth of believers (the materials of this spiritual building) to be from Christ; or it may be joined with <I>holy, <\/I>and then it signifies that they have their holiness from Christ; or it may be read, <I>holy<\/I> to <I>the Lord, <\/I>and then it expresses the nature of this temple, that it is undefiled, consecrated to the Lord, and meet for him. <\/P> <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><P><B>21. In whom<\/B>as holdingtogether the whole. <\/P><P>       <B>fitly framed<\/B>so asexactly to fit together. <\/P><P>       <B>groweth<\/B>&#8220;isgrowing&#8221; continually. Here an additional thought is added to theimage; the Church has the <I>growth<\/I> of a living organism, not themere <I>increase<\/I> of a building. Compare <span class='bible'>1Pe2:5<\/span>; &#8220;<I>lively<\/I> stones . . . built up a spiritualhouse.&#8221; Compare <span class='bible'>Eph 4:16<\/span>;<span class='bible'>Zec 6:12<\/span>, &#8220;The <I>Branch<\/I>shall build the <I>temple<\/I> of the Lord,&#8221; where similarly thegrowth of a branch, and the building of a temple, are joined. <\/P><P>       <B>holy<\/B>as being the&#8221;habitation <I>of God<\/I>&#8221; (<span class='bible'>Eph2:22<\/span>). So &#8220;in the Lord&#8221; (Christ) answers to &#8220;throughthe Spirit&#8221; (<span class='bible'>Eph 2:22<\/span>;compare <span class='bible'>Eph 3:16<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eph 3:17<\/span>).&#8221;Christ is the inclusive Head of all the building, the elementin which it has its being and now its growth&#8221; [ALFORD].<\/P><\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown&#8217;s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible <\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><strong>In whom all the building fitly framed together<\/strong>,&#8230;. This building is to be understood of all the saints, and people of God; of the whole universal church, which is God&#8217;s building; and is a building of a spiritual nature, and will abide for ever: and this is fitly framed together; it consists of various parts, as a building does; some saints are comparable to beams, some to rafters, others to pillars, c. and these are joined and united to one another, and are set in an exact symmetry and proportion, and in a proper subserviency to each other and so as to make for the good, the strength, and beauty of the whole. And it all centres in Christ; he has a great concern in this building; he is the master builder, and the foundation and cornerstone; and it being knit together in him,<\/p>\n<p><strong>groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord<\/strong>: it grows by an accession of new stones, or of souls called by grace, and added to it; for this building is not yet openly and visibly completed, as it will be; in order to which the ministry of the word, and administration of ordinances are continued; and this will be in the latter day, when the number of God&#8217;s elect, among Jews and Gentiles, shall be gathered in: and this growth may be understood also of an increase of those, who are openly laid in the building; of their spiritual growth into their head, Christ; and of an, increase of grace in them; which the word and ordinances are means of, under a divine blessing: and this building grows unto an &#8220;holy temple&#8221;, the Gospel church state, called a &#8220;temple&#8221;, in allusion to the temple at Jerusalem; whose materials were stones made ready and hewn, before they were brought thither; and whose magnificence, beauty, and glory, were very great; and it was the place of public worship, and of the divine abode, and was a very significant emblem of the church of God; see <span class='bible'>2Co 6:16<\/span>, which is an &#8220;holy&#8221; one, set apart for holy uses, and internally sanctified by the Spirit of God; and which is discovered by external holiness of life, and conversation in the members of it: and this is said to be &#8220;in the Lord&#8221;; which phrase may refer to the word &#8220;groweth&#8221;, and denotes that growth and increase, both of persons and grace, the church has in, and from the Lord Jesus Christ; or to the word &#8220;holy&#8221;, and intimates, that the holiness of the church, and every member of it, is also in and from the Lord; or to the word &#8220;temple&#8221;, which is built for him to dwell in.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: John Gill&#8217;s Exposition of the Entire Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><P> <B>Each several building <\/B> (<span class='_800000'><SPAN LANG=\"el-GR\"> <\/SPAN><\/span>). So without article Aleph B D G K L. <span class='_800000'><SPAN LANG=\"el-GR\"><\/SPAN><\/span> is a late word from <span class='_800000'><SPAN LANG=\"el-GR\"><\/SPAN><\/span> and <span class='_800000'><SPAN LANG=\"el-GR\"><\/SPAN><\/span>, to build for building up (edification) as in <span class='bible'>Eph 4:29<\/span>, then for the building itself as here (<span class='bible'>Mr 13:1f.<\/span>). Ordinary Greek idiom here calls for &#8220;every building,&#8221; not for &#8220;all the building&#8221; (Robertson, <I>Grammar<\/I>, p. 772), though it is not perfectly clear what that means. Each believer is called a <span class='_800000'><SPAN LANG=\"el-GR\"> <\/SPAN><\/span> (<span class='bible'>1Co 3:16<\/span>). One may note the plural in <span class='bible'>Mr 13:1<\/span> (<span class='_800000'><SPAN LANG=\"el-GR\"><\/SPAN><\/span>) of the various parts of the temple. Perhaps that is the idea here without precise definition of each <span class='_800000'><SPAN LANG=\"el-GR\"><\/SPAN><\/span>. But there are examples of <span class='_800000'><SPAN LANG=\"el-GR\"><\/SPAN><\/span> without the article where &#8220;all&#8221; is the idea as in <span class='_800000'><SPAN LANG=\"el-GR\"> <\/SPAN><\/span> (all creation) in <span class='bible'>Col 1:15<\/span>.<\/P> <P><B>Fitly framed together <\/B> (<span class='_800000'><SPAN LANG=\"el-GR\"><\/SPAN><\/span>). Double compound from <span class='_800000'><SPAN LANG=\"el-GR\"><\/SPAN><\/span> and <span class='_800000'><SPAN LANG=\"el-GR\"><\/SPAN><\/span> (binding, <span class='_800000'><SPAN LANG=\"el-GR\"><\/SPAN><\/span>, joint and <span class='_800000'><SPAN LANG=\"el-GR\"><\/SPAN><\/span>), apparently made by Paul and in N.T. only here and <span class='bible'>Eph 4:16<\/span>. Architectural metaphor.<\/P> <P><B>Into a holy temple <\/B> (<span class='_800000'><SPAN LANG=\"el-GR\">  <\/SPAN><\/span>). The whole structure with all the <span class='_800000'><SPAN LANG=\"el-GR\"><\/SPAN><\/span>. Another metaphor for the Kingdom of God with which compare Peter&#8217;s &#8220;spiritual house&#8221; (<span class='_800000'><SPAN LANG=\"el-GR\"> <\/SPAN><\/span>) in which each is a living stone being built in (<span class='bible'>1Pe 2:5<\/span>). <\/P> <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Robertson&#8217;s Word Pictures in the New Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><P>All the building [<span class='_800000'><SPAN LANG=\"el-GR\"> ] <\/SPAN><\/span>. Lit., every building. Rev., each several building. But the reference is evidently to one building, and the rendering of A. V. should be retained though the article is wanting. Fitly framed together [<span class='_800000'><SPAN LANG=\"el-GR\">] <\/SPAN><\/span>. The present participle indicates the framing as in progress. <\/P> <P>Temple [<span class='_800000'><SPAN LANG=\"el-GR\">] <\/SPAN><\/span>. Sanctuary. See on <span class='bible'>Mt 4:5<\/span>. The more sacred portion of the structure is chosen for the figure.<\/P> <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Vincent&#8217;s Word Studies in the New Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1) <strong>&#8220;In whom all the building&#8221;<\/strong> (en ho pasa oikodome) &#8220;in ( centralized in) whom all (the) building or assembly&#8221; Let it be noted that the terms &#8220;household and building&#8221; refer not to a physical structure, but to an affinity of baptized believers in Jesus Christ, in joint fellowship with one another in Christ, to do His work, <span class='bible'>Mar 16:15<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Joh 20:21<\/span>.<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>2) <strong>&#8220;Fitly framed together&#8221;<\/strong> (sunarmologoumene) &#8220;Being fitted together.&#8221; This indicated a state or condition of affinity of union in fellowship of the church members that constitute the assembly of worship and service. What Jesus Christ fits together, by the unity of His spirit, according to His word, is &#8220;fitly framed,&#8221; assembled, or embodied, or built<\/p>\n<p>3) <strong>&#8220;Groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord&#8221;<\/strong> (auksei eis naon hagion en kurio) &#8220;Grows into an holy shrine (temple), people, and place for holy worship and service, in the Master,&#8221; see <span class='bible'>1Co 3:16-17<\/span>; <span class='bible'>1Co 6:11<\/span>. Every assembly, truly of the Lord, is a lively temple, a growing assembly, indwelt by the Holy Spirit in a special empowering way; <span class='bible'>Luk 24:49<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Act 1:8<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Act 2:1-4<\/span>; <span class='bible'>2Co 6:16<\/span>. The church, or temple, or assembly of Christ on earth is a living imperfect organism, yet sanctified, set apart by Jesus Christ for divine worship and service. Her members are to seek always to live separated, sanctified lives that the Holy Spirit be not grieved, <span class='bible'>Gal 5:25<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eph 4:30-32<\/span>.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> 21.  In whom all the building groweth.  If this be true, what will become of Peter? When Paul, in writing to the Corinthians, speaks of Christ as a &#8220;Foundation,&#8221; he does not mean that the church is begun by him and completed by others, but draws a distinction arising out of a comparison of his own labors with those of other men. It had been his duty to found the church at Corinth, and to leave to his successors the completion of the building. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;<\/p>\n<p>According to the grace of God which is given to me, as a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth on it.&#8221; (<span class='bible'>1Co 3:10<\/span>.) <\/p>\n<p> With respect to the present passage, he conveys the instruction, that all who are  fitly framed together in Christ  are the temple of the Lord. There is first required a fitting together, that believers may embrace and accommodate themselves to each other by mutual intercourse; otherwise there would not be a building, but a confused mass. The chief part of the symmetry consists in unity of faith. Next follows progress, or increase. Those who are not united in faith and love, so as to  grow in the Lord,  belong to a profane building, which has nothing in common with the temple of the Lord. <\/p>\n<p> Groweth unto an holy temple.  Individual believers are at other times called &#8220;temples of the Holy Ghost,&#8221; (<span class='bible'>1Co 6:19<\/span>; <span class='bible'>2Co 6:16<\/span>,) but here all are said to constitute one temple. In both cases the metaphor is just and appropriate. When God dwells in each of us, it is his will that we should embrace all in holy unity, and that thus he should form one temple out of many. Each person, when viewed separately, is a temple, but, when joined to others, becomes a stone of a temple; and this view is given for the sake of recommending the unity of the church. <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Calvin&#8217;s Complete Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>(21) <strong>In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.<\/strong>There is some difficulty about the rendering-all the building. Generally the best MSS. omit the article in the original. But the sense seems to demand the rendering of the text, unless, indeed, we adopt the only other possible rendering, in whom every act of buildingthat is, every addition to the buildingis bonded to the rest, and grows, &amp;c. The clause agrees substantially, and almost verbally with <span class='bible'>Eph. 4:16<\/span>From whom the whole body, fitly joined (<em>framed<\/em>) together and compacted . . . maketh increase of the body unto the edifying (<em>building up<\/em>) of itself. In this latter passage the leading idea is of the close union of the body to the head, to which, indeed, the metaphor more properly applies than to the relation of the building to the corner-stone. For we note that St. Paul, apparently finding this relation too slight to express the full truth of the unity of the Church with Christ, first speaks of the whole building as compacted together <em>in<\/em> the corner-stone, and growingthat is, being gradually built upin that closely compacted union; and next, calls the temple so built up a temple holy in the Lord<em> <\/em>(<em>i.e., <\/em>the Lord Jesus Christ), deriving, therefore, all its sacredness as a temple from a pervading unity with Him. The corner-stone is only a part, though a dominant part, of the building. Christ not only keeps all together, whether you speak of roof, or wall, or any other part whatsoever (Chrys.), but by contact with Himself makes the building to be a temple.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Ellicott&#8217;s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> <strong> 21<\/strong>. <strong> <\/strong> <strong> All the building<\/strong> The four walls, fastened by the corner stone, as different races are firmly bound into the Church by one common Christ. <\/p>\n<p><strong> Fitly framed together<\/strong> Adjusted and united by one common gospel of peace. <\/p>\n<p><strong> Groweth<\/strong> It is an ever growing building, expanding in time and space over the earth. <\/p>\n<p><strong> Holy temple<\/strong> Not a temple of idolatry and sorcery, like the great fane of the Ephesian Artemis, but a spiritual temple more worthy than even the edifice on Moriah.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Whedon&#8217;s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> &lsquo;In whom all the building (or &lsquo;every building&rsquo;), fitly framed together, grows into a holy Temple in the Lord.&rsquo;<\/p>\n<p> And the purpose of all that has been described is so that they might be &lsquo;the Temple of God&rsquo;, that is, that in which God dwells in the world. Men must no longer look to Jerusalem and its Temple but to the Temple which is composed of Christ and His believing people. The building being described is &lsquo;a holy Temple&rsquo;, &lsquo;a habitation of God in the Spirit&rsquo;, and all its parts are joined and fitted together &lsquo;in Him&rsquo;, growing into that Temple. Thus the people of God are seen as being His Temple, a picture used elsewhere in 1Co 3:16-17 ; <span class='bible'>2Co 6:16<\/span>. (In <span class='bible'>1Co 6:19<\/span> it is the body of each individual Christians which is seen as a sanctuary of God). All believers are being fitted together for this purpose. &lsquo;All the building&rsquo; stresses the unity of the whole. If we read as &lsquo;every building&rsquo; it may refer to different local churches, but &lsquo;all the building&rsquo; seems preferable. (The picture is very similar to that in <span class='bible'>1Co 12:13-27<\/span> where we are all members of His body. Note how in <span class='bible'>1Co 6:15<\/span>; <span class='bible'>1Co 6:19<\/span> the two concepts merge).<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> <span class='bible'>Eph 2:21<\/span> . An elucidation to   .   .  ., bearing on the matter in hand, and placing in yet clearer light the thought of <span class='bible'>Eph 2:19<\/span> f.; <em> in whom each community, in whom also yours<\/em> (<span class='bible'>Eph 2:22<\/span> ), <em> organically developes itself unto its holy destination<\/em> . [161]<\/p>\n<p>  ] means neither <em> by whom<\/em> (Castalio, Vatablus, Menochius, Morus, and others, including Flatt), nor <em> upon whom<\/em> (Estius, Koppe, and others), but: <em> in whom<\/em> , so that Christ (for  applies neither to  ., as Castalio, Estius, and Koppe suppose, nor to   , as Holzshausen would have it, but to the nearest and emphatic    .) appears as that <em> wherein<\/em> the joining together of the building has its common point of support (comp. <span class='bible'>Eph 1:10<\/span> ).<\/p>\n<p>  ] not: the <em> whole<\/em> building (Oecumenius, Harless, Olshausen, Baumgarten-Crusius, de Wette, Bleek), which would be at variance with linguistic usage, and would absolutely require the reading (on that account preferred by Matthies, Winer, and others)    (see the critical remarks), but: <em> every building<\/em> . The former interpretation, moreover, the opposition of which to linguistic usage is rightly urged also by Reiche, [162] is by no means logically necessary, since Paul was not <em> obliged<\/em> to proceed from the conception of the <em> whole<\/em> body of Christians to the community of the readers (<span class='bible'>Eph 2:22<\/span> ), but might pass equally well from the conception &ldquo; <em> every<\/em> community&rdquo; to the conception &ldquo; <em> also ye<\/em> &rdquo; (<span class='bible'>Eph 2:22<\/span> ), and thus subordinate the particular to the general. The objection that there is only <em> one<\/em>  (de Wette) is baseless, since the collective body of Christians might be just as reasonably, as <em> every community for<\/em> itself, conceived as a temple-building. The latter conception is found, as in <span class='bible'>1Co 3:16<\/span> , so also here, where the former is linguistically <em> impossible<\/em> . Chrysostom, however, is wrong in holding that by   . is signified every <em> part<\/em> of the building (wall, roof, etc.), since  rather denotes the <em> aggregate<\/em> of the single parts of the building, the <em> edifice<\/em> , and since not a wall, a roof, etc., but only the building as a whole which is thought of, can grow unto a temple.<\/p>\n<p> .] <em> becoming framed together<\/em> ; for the <em> present<\/em> participle represents the edifice as still <em> in the process of building<\/em> , as indeed every community is engaged in the progressive development of its frame of Christian life until the Parousia (comp. on <span class='bible'>1Co 3:15<\/span> ). The participle is closely connected with   : every building, while its framing together, <em> i.e.<\/em> the harmonious combination of its parts into the corresponding whole, takes place in Christ, grows, etc. The compound  (with classical writers  ) is met with only here and <span class='bible'>Eph 4:16<\/span> , but  in Philipp. <em> Thess<\/em> . 78.<\/p>\n<p> ] On this form of the present, read in the N.T. only here and at <span class='bible'>Col 2:19<\/span> , but genuinely classical, see Matthiae, p. 541.<\/p>\n<p>   ] Final result of this growth. It is not, however, to be translated: unto <em> a<\/em> holy temple, for the conception of <em> several<\/em> temples was foreign to the apostle with his Jewish nationality, but: <em> unto the<\/em> holy temple, in which there was no need of the article (see on <span class='bible'>1Co 3:16<\/span> ). To realize the idea of the <em> one<\/em> temple that is the goal unto which <em> every<\/em> community, while its organic development of life has its firm support in Christ, groweth up.<\/p>\n<p>  ] By this not <em> God<\/em> is meant, as Michaelis, Koppe, Rosenmller, Holzshausen, and others suppose, but <em> Christ<\/em> (see the following   ). By the majority it is connected with  , in which case it would not have, with Beza, Koppe, Rosenmller, Flatt, to be taken for the dative, but (so also de Wette, Hofmann, Bleek) would have to be explained of the  of the temple, <em> having its causal ground in Christ<\/em> , thus specifically Christian. But the holiness of the temple lies in the dwelling of God therein (see <span class='bible'>Eph 2:22<\/span> ); it does not, therefore, <em> first come into existence<\/em> in Christ, but <em> is<\/em> already <em> existent<\/em> , and <em> the church<\/em> becomes in Christ that which the holy temple <em> is<\/em> , inasmuch as in this church the idea of the holy temple realizes itself. Others have rightly, therefore, connected it with  , although  is not, with Grotius, Wolf, <em> et al.<\/em> , to be translated by <em> per<\/em> . In the case of every building which is framed together in Christ, the growing into the holy temple takes place also <em> in Christ<\/em> (as the one on whom this further development depends). The being framed together and the growing up of the building to its sacred destination <em> both<\/em> not otherwise than <em> in the Lord<\/em> .<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3em'> [161] Observe the apostle&rsquo;s view of the church, as a whole and in its single parts, as one living <em> organism<\/em> . Comp. Thiersch, <em> die Kirche im apost. Zeitalt<\/em> . p. 154, 162; Ehrenfeuchier, <em> prakt. Theol<\/em> . I. p. 55 ff.<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3em'> [162] The admissibility of the anarthrous form   , in the sense of &ldquo;the <em> whole<\/em> building,&rdquo; cannot be at all conceded, since  is neither a proper name, nor to be regarded as equivalent to such. See Winer, p. 101 [E. T. 140]; Buttmann, <em> neut. Gram<\/em> . p. 78 [E. T. 86]. In general  in the sense of <em> whole<\/em> can only be without an article, when the substantive to which it belongs would not need the article even without  (Krger,  50, 11. 9). Hence   . can only signify either <em> every building<\/em> , or else <em> a building utterly<\/em> . In the latter sense Chrysostom appears, very unsuitably, no doubt (see above), to have taken it. According to Hofmann, II. 2, p. 123,   . is meant to signify &ldquo; <em> whatever becomes a constituent part<\/em> of a building&rdquo; (thus also the Gentiles who become Christians). As if  could mean <em> constituent part<\/em> of a building! It signifies, even in <span class='bible'>Mat 24:1<\/span> , <span class='bible'>Mar 13:1<\/span> f., <em> edifice.<\/em> And as if  , <em> every<\/em> part of the building, when in fact only <em> two<\/em> constituent parts, namely Jews and Gentiles, could be thought of, were in harmony with this relation! The rendering is <em> linguistically<\/em> and <em> logically<\/em> incorrect.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer&#8217;s New Testament Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: <strong> <\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><\/strong><\/p>\n<p> Ver. 21. <strong> Fitly framed together<\/strong> ] Or, perfectly joined together by the cement of the Holy Spirit, working in the saints faith in Christ and love one toward another, which the apostle calleth the bond of perfection. <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: John Trapp&#8217;s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> <strong> 21<\/strong> .] <strong> in whom<\/strong> (        , Chr.: not only so, but He is in reality the inclusive Head of the building: it all    , is squared and ruled by its unity to and in Him) <strong> all the building<\/strong> (more properly    .: and to a <em> classical Greek ear<\/em> , any other rendering of   . than &lsquo; <em> every building<\/em> ,&rsquo; seems preposterous enough. But &lsquo;every building&rsquo; here is quite out of place, inasmuch as the Apostle is clearly speaking of but one vast building, the mystical Body of Christ: and   . cannot have Meyer&rsquo;s sense &lsquo;every congregation thus built in:&rsquo; nor would it be much better to take refuge in the proper sense of  , and render &lsquo;all building,&rsquo; i.e. &lsquo;every process of building,&rsquo; for then we should be at a loss when we come to  below. Are we then to render ungrammatically, and force words to that which they cannot mean? Certainly not: but we seem to have some light cast here by such an expression as    , <span class='bible'>Col 1:15<\/span> , which though it may be evaded by rendering &lsquo;of every creature,&rsquo; yet is not denied by most Commentators to be intended to bear this sense &lsquo;of all creation:&rsquo; cf. also <span class='bible'>Col 1:23<\/span> ,        . The account to be given of such later usages is, that gradually other words besides proper names became regarded as able to dispense with the article after  , so that as they said first   ( Mat 2:3 ), and then    ( Act 2:36 ), so they came at length to say   (as we ourselves &lsquo;all creation,&rsquo; for &lsquo;all <em> the<\/em> creation&rsquo;) and   , when speaking of one universal and notorious building. Ellic. adds to the examples,   , Thucyd. ii. 43,   , Ignat. Eph.  12, p. 656.<\/p>\n<p><strong> <\/strong> itself is a late form, censured by Phryn. (Lob. p. 421) and the Atticists) <strong> being framed exactly together<\/strong> (the verb (=  ) sufficiently explains itself, being only found in these two places (ref.). Wetst. quotes   from Anthol. iii. 32. 4, and Palm and Rost refer for  to Philip of Thessalonica, Ep. 78) <strong> is growing<\/strong> (there seems no reason why the proper sense of the present should not be retained. Both participle and verb imply that the fitting together and the growing are still going on: and the only way which we in English have to mark this so as to avoid the chance of mistake, is by the auxiliary verb substantive, and the participle. The bare present, &lsquo;groweth,&rsquo; is in danger of being mistaken for the abstract quality, and the temporal development is thus lost sight of: whereas the other, in giving prominence to that temporal development, also necessarily implies the &lsquo;normal, perpetual, unconditioned nature of the organic increase&rsquo; (Ellic.)) <strong> to<\/strong> (so &lsquo;crescere in cumulum,&rsquo; Claudian in Piscator) <strong> an holy temple in the Lord<\/strong> (i.e. according to apostolic usage, and the sense of the whole passage, &lsquo; <em> in Christ<\/em> .&rsquo; The <strong>  <\/strong> <strong> <\/strong> <strong>  <\/strong> <strong> . <\/strong> <strong>  <\/strong> , like the frequent repetitions of the name  in <span class='bible'>Eph 2:12-13<\/span> , are used by the Apostle to lay all stress on the fact that Christ is the inclusive Head of all the building, the element in which it has its being and its growth. I would join   with   , as more accordant with the Apostle&rsquo;s style than if it were joined with  (    .    .), or with  (      .). The increase spoken of will issue in its being a holy temple in Christ),<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Henry Alford&#8217;s Greek Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> <span class='bible'>Eph 2:21<\/span> .             : <em> in whom each several building<\/em> (RV text; &ldquo;every building,&rdquo; RV marg.), <em> fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord<\/em> . The relative refers naturally to the nearest subject, what is also the leading subject,   , not to the  , far less to the remoter  ; the  also has its full sense of <em> in<\/em> , not <em> by<\/em> or <em> on<\/em> . That is to say, it is <em> in Christ Jesus<\/em> , and only by connection with Him, that the  is what it is here declared to be. The word  appears to be confined to late Greek, no <em> certain<\/em> instance of it having been found in classical Greek. It occurs in Diod., Philo, Plut., Joseph., the LXX, Macc., etc. It is used both for  and  . In the NT it has sometimes the literal sense of  ( <em> e.g.<\/em> , <span class='bible'>Mat 24:1<\/span> ; <span class='bible'>Mar 13:1<\/span> ; <span class='bible'>2Co 5:1<\/span> ); and sometimes the figurative sense of <em> edification<\/em> (<span class='bible'>Rom 14:19<\/span> ; Rom 15:2 ; <span class='bible'>2Co 13:10<\/span> ; <span class='bible'>Eph 4:20<\/span> ), or, as here, that of a <em> body of Christian believers<\/em> . The question of the text here is important. There is considerable support for    ( [188] [189] [190] , Arm., etc.), and it is conceivable that itacism might have caused the omission of the  . But diplomatic evidence is decidedly in favour of   ( [191] [192] [193] [194] [195] [196] [197] , etc.). Adopting this reading (with LTTrWHRV) we have to ask whether the phrase is to be rendered <em> the whole building<\/em> or <em> every building<\/em> . The former rendering is certainly the one that first suggests itself, while the latter seems at first difficult to relate to the context. The former is defended as legitimate by some weighty authorities; <em> e.g.<\/em> , Winer, on the ground that the subject is &ldquo;the Church of Christ as a whole,&rdquo; and Ellicott, who takes it to be a case of grammatical laxity. But the distinction between  with the article and  without it is so well maintained in the NT that only an absolutely intolerable sense can justify us in departing from it. The only exceptions to the general rule appear to be those that hold good also for ordinary Greek in general and unqualified statements, with proper names, and with nouns which have acquired so stated a meaning that they can drop the article, etc. ( <em> cf.<\/em> Win.-Moult., p. 138, and especially Buttm., <em> Gram. of N. T. Greek<\/em> , pp. 119, 120; Blass, <em> Gram. of N. T. Greek<\/em> , pp. 161, 162). The present instance does not come within the scope of these exceptions. It is not like    (<span class='bible'>Act 2:36<\/span> ), nor is it really analogous even to such cases as the   of Thucyd., ii., 43, or the   of Ignat., <em> Eph.<\/em> , 12. Hence the rendering here must be &ldquo;every building&rdquo; or &ldquo;every several building&rdquo;. The present participle  (the verb occurs in the NT only here and in <span class='bible'>Eph 4:16<\/span> , and corresponds to the classical  ) describes the joining together as a process now going on. The pres.  (a form occurring in the NT only here and in <span class='bible'>Col 2:19<\/span> , but common in Soph., Thucyd., Pind., etc.) in like manner expresses what is happening now, or, it may be, what is <em> normal<\/em> . The phrase   is sufficiently rendered &ldquo; <em> a<\/em> holy temple&rdquo; or &ldquo;sanctuary&rdquo;. Some ( <em> e.g.<\/em> , Mey.), supposing that Paul has the Jewish temple in view and means to say that the Christian Church is now the true Temple of God, the house made His own sanctuary by His dwelling in it, would render it &ldquo; <em> the<\/em> holy temple&rdquo;. The   is connected by some (Harl., etc.) immediately with  , = a temple that is holy as being in the Lord; by others with   (Ell.); by others with  (Mey.). But it really qualifies the whole statement of the <em> joining<\/em> and <em> growing<\/em> . All this is in the Lord, <em> i.e., in Christ<\/em> , as both the context and the general NT application of  show. The sense of the whole, therefore, is this in Christ the Lord every several building that goes to make up the ideal Temple of God, every Christian community, the one now addressed not less than others, is at present being surely framed and fitted together, and is growing and harmoniously developing so that it may form part of the great mystical Body of Christ, the vast spiritual fellowship of believers which is God&rsquo;s true Temple.<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3em'> [188] Codex Sinaiticus (sc. iv.), now at St. Petersburg, published in facsimile type by its discoverer, Tischendorf, in 1862.<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3em'> [189] Codex Alexandrinus (sc. v.), at the British Museum, published in photographic facsimile by Sir E. M. Thompson (1879).<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3em'> [190] Codex Ephraemi (sc. v.), the Paris palimpsest, edited by Tischendorf in 1843.<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3em'> [191] Codex Vaticanus (sc. iv.), published in photographic facsimile in 1889 under the care of the Abbate Cozza-Luzi.<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3em'> [192] Autograph of the original scribe of  .<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3em'> [193] Autograph of the original scribe of  .<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3em'> [194] Codex Claromontanus (sc. vi.), a Grco-Latin MS. at Paris, edited by Tischendorf in 1852.<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3em'> [195] Codex Boernerianus (sc. ix.), a Grco-Latin MS., at Dresden, edited by Matthi in 1791. Written by an Irish scribe, it once formed part of the same volume as Codex Sangallensis (  ) of the Gospels. The Latin text, g, is based on the O.L. translation.<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3em'> [196] Codex Mosquensis (sc. ix.), edited by Matthi in 1782.<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3em'> [197] Codex Angelicus (sc. ix.), at Rome, collated by Tischendorf and others.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>all the building = Every building (Greek. oikodome). The texts omit &#8220;the&#8221;. Compare 1Co 3:9. <\/p>\n<p>fitly framed together = harmoniously fitted together. Greek. sunarmologeo. Only here and Eph 4:16. <\/p>\n<p>groweth = is growing, increasing. <\/p>\n<p>Temple = Sanctuary. Greek. naos. See Mat 23:16. <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>21.] in whom (      , Chr.: not only so, but He is in reality the inclusive Head of the building: it all   , is squared and ruled by its unity to and in Him) all the building (more properly   .: and to a classical Greek ear, any other rendering of  . than every building, seems preposterous enough. But every building here is quite out of place, inasmuch as the Apostle is clearly speaking of but one vast building, the mystical Body of Christ: and  . cannot have Meyers sense every congregation thus built in: nor would it be much better to take refuge in the proper sense of , and render all building, i.e. every process of building, for then we should be at a loss when we come to  below. Are we then to render ungrammatically, and force words to that which they cannot mean? Certainly not: but we seem to have some light cast here by such an expression as   , Col 1:15, which though it may be evaded by rendering of every creature, yet is not denied by most Commentators to be intended to bear this sense of all creation: cf. also Col 1:23,      . The account to be given of such later usages is, that gradually other words besides proper names became regarded as able to dispense with the article after , so that as they said first   (Mat 2:3), and then    (Act 2:36), so they came at length to say   (as we ourselves all creation, for all the creation) and  , when speaking of one universal and notorious building. Ellic. adds to the examples,  , Thucyd. ii. 43,  , Ignat. Eph.  12, p. 656.<\/p>\n<p> itself is a late form, censured by Phryn. (Lob. p. 421) and the Atticists) being framed exactly together (the verb (= ) sufficiently explains itself, being only found in these two places (ref.). Wetst. quotes   from Anthol. iii. 32. 4, and Palm and Rost refer for  to Philip of Thessalonica, Ep. 78) is growing (there seems no reason why the proper sense of the present should not be retained. Both participle and verb imply that the fitting together and the growing are still going on: and the only way which we in English have to mark this so as to avoid the chance of mistake, is by the auxiliary verb substantive, and the participle. The bare present, groweth, is in danger of being mistaken for the abstract quality, and the temporal development is thus lost sight of: whereas the other, in giving prominence to that temporal development, also necessarily implies the normal, perpetual, unconditioned nature of the organic increase (Ellic.)) to (so crescere in cumulum, Claudian in Piscator) an holy temple in the Lord (i.e. according to apostolic usage, and the sense of the whole passage, in Christ. The  &#8211; .- ,-like the frequent repetitions of the name  in Eph 2:12-13, are used by the Apostle to lay all stress on the fact that Christ is the inclusive Head of all the building, the element in which it has its being and its growth. I would join   with  , as more accordant with the Apostles style than if it were joined with  (  .   .), or with  (    .). The increase spoken of will issue in its being a holy temple in Christ),<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: The Greek Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>Eph 2:21.  , in whom) In Christ. This, by Anaphora [repetition to mark beginnings], is repeated in the following verse.- , fitly framed together, groweth) Words that have relation to a living mass, ch. Eph 3:18, note; and 1Pe 2:5. So , fitly joined together, ch. Eph 4:16.[38] So the branch and the house are combined, Zec 6:12.-, a temple) It is a house, and that too a holy house, to which the temple of Diana of Ephesus must yield.-, holy) i.e. of God, Eph 2:22 [which answers to , Eph 2:21].- , in the Lord) in Christ. To this expression [Eph 2:21], the words, [through or] in the Spirit, correspond in Eph 2:22. So also ch. Eph 3:17; Eph 3:16.<\/p>\n<p>[38] It occurs nowhere else in New Test. The two images here are combined of a building and of a living growing organism.-ED.<\/p>\n<p>&#8212;&#8211;<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>Eph 2:21<\/p>\n<p>Eph 2:21<\/p>\n<p>in whom each several building, fitly framed together,-In Jesus Christ all the buildings formed of both Jews and Gentiles who enter Christ are builded or fitly framed or fitted together, not separated and divided. [This represents an action still going on, namely, that of fitting together the different parts. The growth is both outward and inward, extensive and intensive, in number and in grace.]<\/p>\n<p>groweth into a holy temple in the Lord;-The church is one, the manifestations of it are many-the local bodies of Christ. The local bodies are manifestations of the Spirit dwelling in and controlling men in the flesh. They are the holy temples of God on earth; they are the dwelling places of God. They are the most sacred bodies on earth. More precious and sacred with God than was the fleshly body of his Son. It is the greatest of sacrilege to change, modify, or mutilate that body-strip it of its God-given functions and bestow them upon another body of human make. It is the highest of crimes to make it subserve human-made bodies.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>all: Eph 4:13-16, Eze 40:1 &#8211; Eze 42:20, 1Co 3:9, Heb 3:3, Heb 3:4 <\/p>\n<p>fitly: Exo 26:1-37, 1Ki 6:7 <\/p>\n<p>an: Psa 93:5, Eze 42:12, 1Co 3:17, 2Co 6:16 <\/p>\n<p>Reciprocal: Exo 26:3 &#8211; coupled together Exo 26:15 &#8211; boards Exo 36:10 &#8211; General Exo 36:29 &#8211; coupled Exo 38:20 &#8211; the pins Job 38:6 &#8211; fastened Psa 122:3 &#8211; builded Hab 2:20 &#8211; the Lord Zec 8:3 &#8211; dwell 1Co 3:16 &#8211; ye are 1Co 6:19 &#8211; your body Eph 3:17 &#8211; Christ Eph 4:15 &#8211; may Col 1:23 &#8211; grounded Col 2:7 &#8211; Rooted 1Ti 3:15 &#8211; the house Heb 3:6 &#8211; whose 1Pe 2:2 &#8211; grow<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>(Eph 2:21.)      -In whom the whole building, being fitly framed together, is growing. The relative agrees with the nearest substantive,  -not with  , as is the opinion of Holzhausen; nor with , and meaning on which, as is asserted by Theophylact, Luther, Beza, Koppe, and Scholz. Nor can the words signify through whom, as is held by Castalio, Vatablus, Menochius, Morus, and Flatt. In whom, that is, in Christ Jesus; the building being fitly framed together in Him. Its unity and symmetry are originated and maintained in Him. The article  before  in A and C, and in the Textus Receptus, appears to be spurious; it is not found in B, D, E, F, G, I, K, and is rejected by the latest editors, Lachmann and Tischendorf. Middleton and Trollope, for mere grammatical reasons, affirm that   is the right reading. Reiche says-Paulum scripsisse    cum articulo nullus dubito, and he ascribes the omission to the homoioteleuton-  . Comment. Crit. p. 149; Gotting. 1859. Hofmann, l.c., renders, all which is built-was gebaut wird. Must, then,   be rendered every building, as is the opinion of Chrysostom, Beza, Zanchius, and Meyer, or as Wycliffe renders-eche bildynge, and Tyndale-every bildynge? We think not:-For, 1. The object of the apostle is to describe the one temple, which has its foundation laid by apostles and prophets. It is of this one structure, so founded, so united, so raised, and consisting of such materials-for in it the Ephesians were inbuilt-that he speaks. 2. In the later Greek as in the earlier, , without the article, sometimes bore the sense of whole. Bernhardy, p. 323; Gersdorf, p. 376; Scott and Liddell, Pape, Passow, sub voce. So in the New Testament, Mat 2:3; Luk 4:13; Act 7:22; or Act 2:36 &#8211;  -phraseology based upon the usage of the Septuagint, 1Sa 7:2-3; Neh 4:16; Col 1:15. If, as Ellicott says, these examples are not in point, as being proper names or abstract substantives, they at least show the transition from an earlier and stricter to a laxer and later use, in which other nouns besides proper names and very familiar or monadic terms may dispense with the articles. Winer,  18, 4,  19. So in Josephus, Antiq. 4.5, 1-    -a river flowing through the whole desert; Thucydides, 2:43-  and also in 38-  ; Iliad, 24.407- ; Hesiod, Op. et Dies, 510- ; Theog. 874- . Also-  ; Passow, sub voce; Thiersch, De Penta. versione Alexandrina, p. 121, in which are some examples, though perhaps not all of them strictly analogous. The Syriac has  -the whole building. <\/p>\n<p>, a term of the later Greek, as is shown by Lobeck in his Parerga to the Eclogae of Phrynichus, signifies properly the art or process of building, and is originally equivalent to , but has also the same meaning as -pp. 421, 487, 490. The structure named has not yet been completed, and   signifies the entire structure-the structure in every part of it. The edifice in course of erection, being fitly framed together in all its parts, groweth into a holy temple. Such is the opinion of Chrysostom, which Harless sets aside without sufficient evidence. For of what is the growth specified? Is the structure complete, and is the growth supposed to be not of it as an edifice in itself, but of its purpose-into a holy temple? Does the edifice wax in size, or only grow in destination and object? If you suppose the latter, then you also suppose that the living stones are placed in the temple before its design is realized; or that these stones are themselves changed after they are laid in their places. The growth, therefore, belongs to the edifice itself. It increases in size and height. Even in its unfinished state, the purpose of the fabric may be detected; and when it is completed, that purpose, apparent at every stage of its progress, shall be manifest, fully and for ever-a holy temple in the Lord. <\/p>\n<p>The present participle , is a rare term occurring only once more, in Eph 4:16 &#8211; being the classic form-and denotes being jointed together, or composed of parts fitted closely to each other. The whole structure is compact and firm; not loose and ill-arranged masonry, which is as unstable in itself as it is offensive to the eye. But every stone is in its place, and fits its place. In this mutual adaptation there is no useless projection, no unsightly chasm. Neither excrescence nor defect mars the beauty of the structure-in Christ it is fitly framed together. There is no superfluous doctrine, and no forgotten precept; grace does not clash with statute or service; promises are yea and amen in Him; pardon, peace, purity, and hope are linked into one another, because they are closely united to Him; and the members of the true church are so firmly allied, that the gifts and graces of one are supplementary to the gifts and graces of another. No qualification is lost, and none can be dispensed with. One&#8217;s ingenuity devises what another&#8217;s activity works out. While conquests are made in distant climes, she that tarries at home divides the spoil. The huge walls built round the Peiraeus by the Athenians under Themistocles, are described by the historian as composed of large stones, square-hewn, and built together, being fixed to one another, on the outside, with iron and lead. But such cumbrous ligatures do not disfigure those spiritual walls; for that magnetic influence which binds all the living stones to the chief Corner-stone, cements them, at the same t ime and by the same power, to one another in cordial sympathy and reciprocal coherence and support. As Fergusson says-By taking band with Christ the foundation, they are fastened one to another. <\/p>\n<p> is for the more usual . It occurs Col 2:19, and also in the Greek poets. The present marks actual growth certainly, and may describe normal condition. Even in its immature state, and with so much that is undeveloped, one may admire its beauty of outline, and its graceful form and proportions. Vast augmentations may be certainly anticipated; but its increase does not destroy its adaptations, for it grows as being fitly framed together. A structure not firm and compact, is in the greater danger of falling the higher it is carried; and if it topple on our heads, what matters it whether we are crushed by a Corinthian or a Doric ruin? But this fabric, with walls of more than Cyclopean or Pelasgian strength and vastness, secures its own continuous and illimitable elevation and increase. The design of the edifice is next stated- <\/p>\n<p>    -groweth-into a holy temple in the Lord. It was a temple-a sacred edifice. The words   belong to , or rather to  ; not, as OEcumenius, Grotius, Baumgarten, Zachariae, Wolf, and Meyer suppose, to ; for these critics, with the exception of the last, give  the sense of -it groweth by means of the Lord. Nor does  refer to God, as Michaelis, Koppe, Rosenmller, and Baumgarten-Crusius suppose, but, as in Pauline usage, to Christ. (See chap. Eph 1:2-3.) Neither are we, with Beza, Koppe, Macknight, and others, to rob the  of its own significance, making the phrase   equivalent to a dative, and joining it with ; nor, with Drusius and a-Lapide, to give it the meaning of a genitive. These are rash and ungrammatical modes of interpretation. It has no holiness but from the Lord, neither is it a temple but from its connection with Him. For the meaning of , see Eph 1:1. The signification of the simple dative-a temple dedicated to the Lord, cannot be admitted for another reason-that Jesus is represented as the chief corner-stone, and cannot be also depicted as the God of the temple, or its officiating priest. But the chief corner-stone, solid and massive, gives firmness and sanctity to the structure. The term  is apparently used of individual believers (1Co 3:16-17; 1Co 6:19; 2Co 6:16. Compare 1Pe 2:3-4), and its peculiar and specific meaning is given in the next clause, by the words   -habitation of God; for , from , like the Latin aedes, is the dwelling of the Divinity. Exo 25:8; Exo 25:22; 1Ki 6:12-13; 1Co 6:19. The illustration of the word is naturally postponed to the following verse. <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Commentary on the Greek Text of Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians and Phillipians<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>Eph 2:21. Most of the buildings in old times were built of stones, and Paul is using such as an illustration of the church. Fitly framed together. We generally think of wooden buildings only as being &#8220;framed,&#8221; whereas the church is here likened to a stene structure. The three words in italics are from one Greek word which Thayer defines, &#8220;to join closely together.&#8221; The statement means that all of the building, composed of both Jews and Gentiles, is fitted into the structure of which Christ is the binding stone at the corner. Such a building becomes a holy temple in (or on behalf of) the Lord.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: <\/p>\n<p>The term &#8220;building&#8221; might be slightly misleading to the reader. It actually relates to edification or of building up. In whom all the building up is framed together, might be the sense of it. The builders are building up this building and the parts are fit together precisely. <\/p>\n<p>On Public Broadcasting they have a show about old time tools, and workmanship. One show was about a building method that was used in Europe hundreds of years ago. The building had no nails, it had now bolts, it had no way of holding itself together other than tightly fit joints designed to seal the frame of the building together with great strength. The building was assembled by fitting these different beams together in the proper sequence so that the building took shape and was held together by the pieces that gave one another support. <\/p>\n<p>The church is precisely built, there are no errors, there are no cost cuts that will weaken it, and there are no shortcuts to bring about cutting of expenses. It is &#8220;fitly framed.&#8221; Actually, this can relate to how the body parts are fit together. Now, my body is not a good example of this, the knees are shot, the back is bowed and poorly supported, the roof is long gone and the ankles can barely support the upper structure, but even then I know how well my limbs and bones are tied together. They were fitly framed to do the work that was needed. Now, we can look back over the years and years that I have used this body, and the falls, and the stresses, and the injuries, yet the body continues to work and function in a relatively good way. Imagine how wonderful the design of this body is to have lasted through six decades of work &#8211; and I might add abuse. <\/p>\n<p>Such is the building that Paul is speaking of. Only this building has no damage from the decades, only growing strengthening and broadening. The church grows as an organism and increases in all manner of ways due to the designer and builder. <\/p>\n<p>Also, consider 1Pe 2:5 &#8220;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.&#8221; <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Mr. D&#8217;s Notes on Selected New Testament Books by Stanley Derickson<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>2:21 In whom all the building {s} fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:<\/p>\n<p>(s) So that God is the workman not only of the foundation, but also of the whole building.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>Paul pictured the church as under construction with God adding new believers constantly (cf. Eph 4:15-16; Mat 16:18; 1Pe 2:5). The individual stones represent believers, both Jewish and Gentile. Today God does not inhabit a physical temple somewhere on earth, as He did in Old Testament times. He indwells His church, which is a spiritual temple spread over all the earth. It began on the day of Pentecost, and it will continue until the Rapture (1Th 4:13-18). As physical temples glorified the gods they represented in ancient times, so the church glorifies the true God today.<\/p>\n<p>Paul may very well have used the illustration of a temple because the temple of Artemis in Ephesus was the city&rsquo;s most outstanding claim to fame. It was four times as big as the Parthenon that still stands in Athens. One hundred twenty-seven white columns rose 60 feet high and surrounded an image of the goddess Artemis (Diana).<span style=\"color:#808080\"> [Note: Pliny, Historia Naturalis, 36.21 &sect;96.] <\/span> Authorities still regard this temple as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world (cf. Act 19:23-41).<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord: 21. in whom ] In close and vital connexion with Whom. See last note. all the building ] R. V., &ldquo; each several building; &rdquo; as if the great Temple were viewed for the moment in its multiplicity of &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/exegetical-and-hermeneutical-commentary-of-ephesians-221\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ephesians 2:21&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29188","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commentary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29188","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29188"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29188\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29188"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29188"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29188"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}