Robertson Word Pictures - Ephesians 2:20 - 2:20

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Robertson Word Pictures - Ephesians 2:20 - 2:20


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

Being built upon (epoikodomēthentes). First aorist passive participle of epoikodomeō, for which double compound verb see note on 1Co 3:10; 2Co 2:17.

The foundation (epi tōi themeliōi). Repetition of epi with the locative case. See note on 1Co 3:11 for this word.

Of the apostles and prophets (ton apostolōn kai prophētōn). Genitive of apposition with themeliōi, consisting in. If one is surprised that Paul should refer so to the apostles, he being one himself, Peter does the same thing (2Pe 3:2). Paul repeats this language in Eph 3:5.

Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone (ontōs akrogōnianiou autou Christou Iēsou). Genitive absolute. The compound akrogōniaios occurs only in the lxx (first in Isa 28:16) and in the N.T. (here, 1Pe 2:6). Lithos (stone) is understood. Jesus had spoken of himself as the stone, rejected by the Jewish builders (experts), but chosen of God as the head of the corner (Mat 21:42), eis kephalēn gōnias. “The akrogōniaios here is the primary foundation-stone at the angle of the structure by which the architect fixes a standard for the bearings of the walls and cross-walls throughout” (W. W. Lloyd).