Ephesians 2:21 kjv

In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

Ephesians 2:21 nkjv

in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,

Ephesians 2:21 niv

In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.

Ephesians 2:21 esv

in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

Ephesians 2:21 nlt

We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.

Ephesians 2 verses

Ephesians 2 21 Meaning

Ephesians 2:21 portrays the collective body of believers as a spiritual edifice, constantly under construction, perfectly joined and growing in unity. This building, comprising both Jew and Gentile, is destined to become a sacred dwelling place for God, characterized by holiness and rooted in its ongoing relationship with Christ, the foundational cornerstone.

Ephesians 2 21 Context

Ephesians Chapter 2 describes humanity's spiritual death and God's saving grace through Christ. Verses 1-10 speak of redemption "by grace through faith." Verses 11-13 address the former alienation of Gentiles from God's covenants. Then, verses 14-18 introduce the profound unity accomplished by Christ, who "made both one," breaking down the dividing wall of hostility. This unity is further elucidated by portraying Jew and Gentile as reconciled to God in one body through the cross (Eph 2:16) and granted access to the Father through one Spirit (Eph 2:18). Verse 19 states that Gentiles are "no longer strangers and aliens but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." This sets the stage for the building imagery in verses 20-22, where believers are identified as a divine edifice built upon the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. Verse 21, therefore, focuses on the dynamic, ongoing process of this spiritual structure becoming a holy sanctuary in the Lord.

Ephesians 2 21 Word analysis

• In whom (en hō): This phrase emphasizes the vital, instrumental, and relational union with Christ. All processes described in the verse (being "fitly framed together" and "growing") occur within Him or because of Him. He is the unifying principle, the very sphere of this divine construction.

• all: (pas) Denotes comprehensiveness, universality. It refers to the entirety of the new spiritual building—all believers, Jew and Gentile without exception. There are no exclusions in this divine edifice.

• the building: (oikodomē) Literally refers to the act of building or a built structure. In a spiritual sense, it denotes edification or the Church as a collective structure. Scholars note it’s not merely an architectural term but often signifies spiritual growth and communal formation in the New Testament.

• fitly framed together: (sunarmologoumenē) This is a vivid, technical architectural term. It means "to be joined together with perfect joints, to be thoroughly fitted, or fastened together." The present passive participle indicates a continuous action. It implies a precise and deliberate arrangement, where each component fits perfectly with the others, emphasizing unity and interdependence. This is not a haphazard assembly but a divinely orchestrated construction where individual believers (stones) are perfectly integrated.

• groweth: (auxei) Signifies an organic, active, and continuous process of increase, expansion, and development, like a living organism. Unlike a static building, the spiritual temple is alive and expanding, suggesting both numerical growth (more members) and qualitative growth (spiritual maturity). It highlights the dynamic nature of the Church, continually progressing towards its divine purpose.

• unto: (eis) Indicates purpose, goal, or direction. The building grows towards or into a specific end result, which is becoming a holy temple.

• a holy temple: (naon hagion) Naon refers to the inner sanctuary of the temple, the holy place, where the presence of God resides, as opposed to the general temple precincts (hieron). Hagion means "sacred," "set apart for God." This signifies that the ultimate purpose of this unified, growing building is to be the very dwelling place of God, a sanctuary consecrated for His divine presence. This elevates the collective body of believers to the highest form of spiritual worship and relationship.

• in the Lord: (en Kyriō) Reinforces the sphere, source, and empowering presence. This holiness and this entire process of growth and integration are not self-generated but are established and maintained by Christ and within the realm of His Lordship and presence. It indicates that the temple is truly His, belonging to Him and permeated by His Spirit.

• "all the building fitly framed together": This phrase highlights the interconnectedness and harmonious integration of individual believers within the corporate body. It’s not a collection of isolated individuals but a divinely constructed and ordered unity where each part contributes to the stability and integrity of the whole. This organic unity is what makes it a suitable dwelling for God.

• "groweth unto a holy temple": This underscores the dynamic, developmental nature of the Church. It's not a finished product but an ongoing process of spiritual formation and expansion, always moving towards its predestined sacred identity as God's abode. The goal is profound spiritual holiness and divine occupancy.

• "in the Lord": This phrase functions as an encompassing sphere, confirming that this entire miraculous process of unity, growth, and sanctification is utterly dependent upon, sustained by, and occurs within the sovereign power and spiritual reality of Christ's presence and authority. It is His work, and it remains His sacred possession.

Ephesians 2 21 Bonus section

The "temple" imagery here serves as a powerful theological redefinition, shifting focus from a physical edifice in Jerusalem to a living, spiritual community. This challenges the notion that God's presence is confined to a particular building or geographic location, underscoring its embodiment within His redeemed people. Furthermore, the term "groweth" not only implies quantitative increase but also a qualitative maturation. The church doesn't just get bigger; it becomes holier and more reflective of Christ's character, better able to fulfill its function as God's dwelling place. The constant "fitting" and "growing" indicate a present reality—the process is ongoing until the eschatological completion where God's presence is fully and eternally manifested.

Ephesians 2 21 Commentary

Ephesians 2:21 offers a profound vision of the Church, not as a static organization or mere aggregation of individuals, but as a living, dynamic spiritual edifice built by God. Starting from Christ as the cornerstone, this divine structure continuously unites every believer, perfecting their interconnections through a spiritual bond that is both deliberate and precise ("fitly framed together"). Crucially, this building is not just assembling; it "groweth" organically, expanding in both size (adding more members) and spiritual maturity (deepening in holiness and function). The ultimate purpose of this continuous process is its destination: becoming "a holy temple in the Lord." This emphasizes that the collective body of Christ on Earth is the new locus of God's presence, the sacred dwelling where His Spirit resides. This concept starkly contrasted with reliance on physical temples, asserting that God's presence is now found among His unified, sanctified people, enabled and permeated by the presence and Lordship of Christ. It serves as a reminder of the Church's divine purpose and its dependence on Christ for its very existence, unity, growth, and holiness.