In Ephesians chapter 2, Paul explains how God was able to break down the barrier between Jew and Gentile and bring both together into one saved body in Christ. At the close of the chapter, Paul uses the figure of a temple to describe how each member (whether Jew or Gentile) has their place side by side in this saved body (Eph. 2:19-22).
Paul says this spiritual structure was “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone” (v. 20). The Lord’s apostles and prophets were given the privilege of preaching His gospel to the world. Thus, the foundation of the church is the bedrock of the Lord’s eternal truth. This truth has survived the ever-changing theories and opinions of men during the past 2,000 years and will continue into eternity. “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven” (Ps. 119:89).
When Paul says Jesus is the chief cornerstone, he is recalling the role given to the Messiah in prophecy. “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone” (Ps. 118:22). The chief cornerstone was important in ancient architecture. This stone established all the angles that were used for the entire structure. Jesus likewise establishes the structure of His spiritual body. Everything in His church is based on His holiness and authority.
Paul goes on to describe the building process and purpose of this temple. “In whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (vs. 21-22). Although the Lord’s church was established 2,000 years ago, the construction this spiritual temple is ongoing. As each person is saved today, they are added to the church (Acts 2:47), fitted into place alongside others who are being added to this spiritual structure. Notice the word “together.” Things that would otherwise separate men (such as race – Jew and Gentile) do not matter in the church. The Lord puts us together as a dwelling place of God.
This figure of a holy temple as a dwelling place of God in the Spirit would have had special significance to the recipients of this letter. The city of Ephesus was home to the temple of Diana (also called Artemis). This temple was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was 450 feet long, 225 feet wide, and 60 feet high, with more than 127 columns. This temple is described in Antipater of Sidon’s list of the world’s Seven Wonders with the following words.
“I have set eyes on the wall of lofty Babylon on which is a road for chariots, and the statue of Zeus by the Alpheus, and the hanging gardens, and the colossus of the Sun, and the huge labour of the high pyramids, and the vast tomb of Mausolus; but when I saw the house of Artemis that mounted to the clouds, those other marvels lost their brilliancy, and I said, ‘Lo, apart from Olympus, the Sun never looked on aught so grand.’”
This temple received the loyal devotion of the citizens of Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41). Imagine how discouraging it could have been for these Christians to continue their spiritual service to God in the shadow of such an impressive structure admired by everyone around them. Paul let them know they were the holy temple of the true and living God. The temple of Diana had nothing on them.
The same is true for us today. As Christians continue to be marginalized and swept to the side in this ever-declining world, let us remember that we are stronger when we stand together upon the Lord’s eternal truth. We are a part of the holy temple of the true and living God.