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in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Every Christian is part of the temple of God.<\/p>\n The words \u201cthe whole<\/span>\u201d are translated from a form of pas<\/em><\/span>, which can mean \u201call\u201d or \u201cevery.\u201d Since there is no definite article included with the word for \u201cbuilding\u201d a literal translation would be either \u201call building\u201d or \u201cevery building.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBuilding<\/span>\u201d is from the Greek word oikodom\u0113<\/em><\/span>, which is very similar to the word translated \u201chaving been built on\u201d in the previous verse. This word can refer either to \u201cthe act of building\u201d or to \u201cthe building\u201d itself.<\/p>\n The verb sunarmologe\u014d<\/em><\/span> is translated here as \u201cbeing fitted together<\/span>.\u201d This word is made up of sun<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201ctogether,\u201d harmos<\/em><\/span> \u201cto join things together,\u201d and leg\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which means \u201cto lay forth\u201d or \u201cto say a word.\u201d Putting these all together, we find that sunarmologe\u014d<\/em><\/span> means \u201cto lay things closely joined together,\u201d as one would do with stones or bricks in building a structure. The word is expressed here as a present participle, indicating that it is action that is continually taking place.<\/p>\n The word \u201cgrows<\/span>\u201d is from auxan\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which means \u201cto grow\u201d or \u201cto increase.\u201d This word is expressed in the present tense, indicative mood, which implies current continuous action.<\/p>\n \u201cTemple<\/span>\u201d is translated from naos<\/em><\/span>. This is derived from the verb nai\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto dwell.\u201d Naos<\/em><\/span> refers to \u201ca shrine\u201d or \u201ca temple\u201d where a deity dwells.<\/p>\n As we pointed out in Behind the Words<\/strong>, there is no definite article associated with the word oikodom\u0113<\/em><\/span>, which introduces some ambiguity as to whether Paul is talking about every believer being a holy temple, or the whole church being a single, holy temple. However, since both \u201cbuilding\u201d and \u201ctemple\u201d are singular Greek words and the following verse says that \u201cyou [plural] are being built together for a dwelling place [singular] for God,\u201d there is strong evidence that Paul is referring to the entire church as the building.<\/p>\n Assuming that this is, in fact, what Paul was expressing, we are told here that the church, which is composed of every believer from the beginning of time, is continually being built by God. Each member of the church has a place in the building and is put in place joined closely together with those around him or her. Later in this letter (Ephesians 4:12<\/strong><\/span>) Paul will refer to the church as \u201cthe body of Christ<\/span>.\u201d Also. in his first letter to the Corinthians, he also refers to the church as \u201cthe body of Christ<\/span>\u201d (1 Corinthians 12:27<\/strong><\/span>). Since Paul uses both of these metaphors to refer to the church universal, we can see that the church, whether a living body or a building, is continually being built. And, we see from this verse, that the church is the temple (dwelling place) of God, Himself. We are all part of the body, and we are all part of the holy temple where God lives.<\/p>\n Whether we consider the church to be the temple of God or the body of Christ, we each have a part in it. Each and every Christian has an important function to perform. Are you performing your function? Are you being used by God as part of the church? If not, you\u2019re not fulfilling God\u2019s purpose for your life.<\/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
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