"Therefore you are no longer outsiders (exiles, migrants, and aliens, excluded from the rights of citizens), but you now share citizenship with the saints (God's own people, consecrated and set apart for Himself); and you belong to God's [own] household." Ephesians 2:19
This is a simple sentence to understand and needs no commentary, except that I struggle to find one metaphor anywhere in this passage referred to, by other commentaries that I have read before. I pray those whom God leads to this commentary, might see also, the literal reality in the truths held in this verse, and not as metaphors!
We literally were "aliens" to God's Kingdom. And since we are now "in Christ", we literally "share citizenship with the saints"... and even though our living bodies still hold our spirit to this planet right now, we literally "belong to God's own household", already! If you can trust this Word today and see it this way, there is no need to add anything further!
20. You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the chief Cornerstone.
When I see the words built, foundation, and cornerstone, like many of you, I am drawn to the vision of a building. When I read this verse, I am quick to liken what Paul is saying in this verse to the picture I just made of a building. That is what we know as being a metaphor. I know I keep beating the "m-word" up here in these verses we're looking at, but I hope you'll give me a moment to explain.
Is God interested in buildings... was Jesus upset when He said that "The Temple" would be torn down in Luke 21:5-6? Or, when we leave our great white church buildings on Sunday, do we say, "Goodbye, Jesus... see you next Sunday"? No, He does not dwell in a building!
You and I are His temple... We know this... so why do we call the three words in this verse metaphors, when they are literally what is a reality? I am a temple for the Holy Spirit... Christ has "made tent" with me... He abides in me. The same is true of you... Therefore, you and I together are "the church"!
Now, let's look at this verse again. "You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets". The apostles were and are still the beginning of the church that we are now! "The prophets" is not a reference to OT prophets, but rather NT... Paul helps us understand this, explaining that Christ... gave some as apostles, and some as prophets,... to the building up of the body of Christ later, in chapter 4 of Ephesians 4:11-12.
And finally, verse 20 ends with the fact that we are literally, "built with Christ Jesus Himself the chief Cornerstone." The apostles and prophets were literally set into the foundation of His church... each lined up squarely on Jesus... just as you and I are made so right now!
It's not something that's going to happen when we die... If you are in Christ Jesus, dear friends, it is already a reality! This is an encouraging word! Amen?
Let's pick up with Ephesians verse 2:21-22 next time.
I love you.
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