![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ministryofgrace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Banner-MOG-701.gif\" "\\"Ministry")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone<\/span>,<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Every Christian is part of God\u2019s building.<\/p>\n The words \u201chaving been built on<\/span>\u201d are translated from epoikodome\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which is a double compound word made up of epi<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cupon,\u201d oikos<\/em><\/span>, which refers to \u201ca dwelling place\u201d or \u201ca house,\u201d and dem\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto build.\u201d Thus, epoikodome\u014d<\/em><\/span> literally means \u201cto build a dwelling upon.\u201d It is expressed here as an aorist, passive, participle, so \u201chaving been built on\u201d is a very accurate translation of this word.<\/p>\n \u201cFoundation<\/span>\u201d is from the Greek noun themelios<\/em><\/span>. This word is derived from the verb tith\u0113mi<\/em><\/span>, which means \u201cto stand\u201d or \u201cto set in place.\u201d Themelios<\/em><\/span>, therefore, refers to something that has been put down in place, like a foundation.<\/p>\n The words \u201cchief corner<\/span>stone<\/em><\/span>\u201d come from akrog\u014dniaios<\/em><\/span>, which is made up of akron<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cthe extreme\u201d or \u201cthe one on the end\u201d and g\u014dnia<\/em><\/span>, which refers to \u201can angle\u201d or \u201ca corner.\u201d So, we see that akrog\u014dniaios<\/em><\/span> refers to the extreme corner. Metaphorically, it refers to the first corner stone laid.<\/p>\n In the previous verse Paul told us that we are no longer strangers from the covenants of promise and we are no longer foreigners from the commonwealth of Israel. We are now fellow citizens of a holy nation and members of God\u2019s household. The word translated \u201chousehold<\/span>\u201d is oikeios<\/em><\/span>, which usually refers to people who live and work under the master of the house, but it can also refer to the things which make up the building as well. We see in the previous verse that Paul\u2019s meaning was \u201ca person who is a member of the household.\u201d In the current verse, however, he twists the meaning of the word and now refers to us as part of the building itself. And, in the next couple of verses Paul will twist the meaning a little further yet.<\/p>\n For now, Paul is telling us that not only are we part of God\u2019s family, but we are part of his building as well. The foundation of this building consists of Jesus Christ, as the first corner stone as well as the apostles and prophets. At the time that Paul wrote this letter, buildings were built differently than they are today. The foundation was not cement poured into forms; it consisted of large square-cut stones laid next to each other. Sometimes there was a second or third course of stones laid upon the first. The placement of the initial corner stone was the most critical because it set the position for the entire structure. If it\u2019s not level and oriented in the proper direction, the entire building could suffer.<\/p>\n Jesus Christ was, Himself, the initial corner stone of this building, and He sets the position and the basis for the remainder of the structure. The apostles and prophets (that is, New Testament prophets) provide the remainder of the foundation of the building. Paul\u2019s reference is probably to the writings of these men of God. You and I are also part of the building and we depend on the foundation for our stability.<\/p>\n There is no Christian who exists alone and apart from the rest of the church. We are all interdependent and each one of us is needed to make the building whole.<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ministryofgrace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Signature1.gif\" "\\"Will\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n