Ephesians 2:20 kjv

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Ephesians 2:20 nkjv

having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,

Ephesians 2:20 niv

built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

Ephesians 2:20 esv

built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

Ephesians 2:20 nlt

Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.

Ephesians 2 verses

H2 MeaningEphesians 2:20 describes the church as a spiritual edifice, a holy temple for God. This church is not randomly constructed but firmly built upon a singular, unchangeable foundation laid by the apostles and prophets. Crucially, Jesus Christ Himself is the chief cornerstone of this structure, the ultimate reference point and unifying element that ensures its stability, alignment, and completion. This imagery emphasizes the divine origin and solid theological basis of the church, uniting believers across different backgrounds into one spiritual dwelling.

H2 Cross References

H2 ContextEphesians chapter 2 reveals humanity's former spiritual state of death in sin, then God's gracious intervention in bringing salvation through faith in Christ. Verses 11-19 detail the transformative unity of Jew and Gentile believers in Christ, who were once alienated from God and each other. They are brought near by the blood of Christ, breaking down the dividing wall. Verse 20 concludes this thought by metaphorically portraying this newly united group as a single spiritual edifice, a temple for God's dwelling. This building imagery counters both pagan polytheism with its numerous temples to idols (like the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus) and Jewish exclusivism, asserting that God's true dwelling is now in this Spirit-empowered community founded upon revelation through His chosen messengers and centered on Christ Himself. The chapter shifts from individual salvation to corporate unity and the nature of the church.

H2 Word analysis

• and are built upon (epoikodomēthentes - ἐποικοδομηθέντες): This participle indicates an action already completed in their identification with this foundation, but also implies ongoing construction or establishment. It refers to building upon a pre-existing structure, emphasizing continuity and security. It highlights that believers are not merely individuals, but components of a divinely ordered, collective structure.
• the foundation (tō themeliō - τῷ θεμελίῳ): Denotes the solid base or bedrock. A singular noun emphasizing a unified, coherent, and established footing for the church. A foundation is laid once, unmoving, and supports the entire superstructure.
• of the apostles (tōn apostolōn - τῶν ἀποστόλων): "Sent ones," specifically those divinely commissioned eyewitnesses to Christ's life, death, and resurrection. They were entrusted with direct, authoritative revelation and entrusted to lay the initial doctrinal groundwork of the church. Their teaching forms the core.
• and prophets (kai prophētōn - καὶ προφητῶν): Refers most likely to New Testament prophets, who, alongside apostles, received revelation from the Holy Spirit and ministered to the early church (cf. Eph 3:5; 4:11). They elucidated and applied the gospel. Less likely to refer exclusively to Old Testament prophets here, though their prophecies certainly pointed to Christ, the ultimate cornerstone. This signifies the continuation of God's revelatory activity through appointed persons.
• Jesus Christ (Iēsou Christou - Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ): The historical and divine Person. His very being and work are central. He is not just a foundation stone, but the indispensable stone that gives meaning to all others.
• himself being (ontos autou - ὄντος αὐτοῦ): This emphasizes Christ's personal and active role. It's not just a principle or idea, but the living Lord Himself who embodies this crucial function. The prominence of "Himself" underscores His unique and supreme position.
• the chief cornerstone (akrogōniaiou - ἀκρογωνιαίου): This crucial architectural term, echoing Ps 118:22 and Isa 28:16, denotes the principal stone in the foundation, usually at the corner, that unites two walls, bears the primary weight, and dictates the alignment for the entire building. It signifies Christ's supremacy, unifying role between Jew and Gentile, and His essential function in the integrity and stability of the church.

H2 CommentaryEphesians 2:20 offers a profound architectural metaphor for the church, built upon a unique, divinely ordained foundation. This foundation is twofold: first, the apostles and (New Testament) prophets, who received and faithfully proclaimed God's revealed truth about Jesus Christ, establishing the initial doctrinal and experiential parameters for the believing community. Their teaching forms the foundational layer, providing the authoritative message upon which the church stands. Second, and supremely, Jesus Christ Himself is the "chief cornerstone." This single stone, rejected by many but chosen by God, is absolutely essential. He is the ultimate reality and the integrating principle, giving the entire structure its cohesion, alignment, and stability. He connects and unites all parts (Jew and Gentile believers), ensures proper construction, and is the source of all spiritual growth. The church is therefore not built on human philosophies or shifting cultural trends, but on the immutable revelation of God through His chosen messengers, centered on the Person and finished work of Jesus Christ. This verse underscores the non-negotiable nature of the apostolic doctrine and the centrality of Christ for the church's existence and purpose as a spiritual dwelling place for God.

H2 Bonus sectionThe imagery of the "chief cornerstone" implies precision and exactness in alignment. A building out of true with its cornerstone is fundamentally flawed. This applies doctrinally; deviation from Christ's person and work, as revealed through the apostles and prophets, leads to a distorted understanding of the church. Furthermore, the completed action of being "built upon" this foundation suggests that the essential structure of the church's faith was established definitively by the initial witnesses and messengers of Christ. While the church grows in number and understanding, its core theological framework remains steadfast on this unshakeable base, serving as a permanent testament to God's wise and eternal plan.