John Bengel Commentary - Ephesians 2:20 - 2:20

Online Resource Library

Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | Download

John Bengel Commentary - Ephesians 2:20 - 2:20


(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)

This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

Eph 2:20. Ἐποικοδομηθέντες, built upon) A phrase frequent with Paul, writing to the Ephesians, Eph 3:18, (comp. Act 20:32); and to Timothy, bishop of Ephesus, a metaphor taken from architecture; 1Ti 3:15; 2Ti 2:19.-ἐπὶ τῷ θεμελίῳ, on the foundation) As the foundation supports the whole building, so the testimony of the apostles and prophets is the substruction or support of the faith of all believers; by them the foundation was laid; Christ Jesus is here said to be the head of the corner. The same Person is spoken of as the very foundation, 1Co 3:11.-καὶ προφητῶν, and prophets) Prophets of the New Testament, who are next to the apostles; Eph 4:11, Eph 3:5.-ὄντος ἀκρογωνιαίου αὐτοῦ, being chief corner stone of it) Paul briefly indicates the passage in Isa 28:16, as very well known; comp. 1Pe 2:6, note. Christ Jesus is the chief corner stone of the foundation. The participle ὄντος, at the beginning of this clause, is strongly demonstrative in the present tense. The pronoun αὐτοῦ is to be referred to θεμελίῳ;[35] for if it were construed with Χριστοῦ, it would be in this form: ΑὐΤΟῦ ΤΟΥ[36] Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, as we read αὐτὸς ὁ Ἰωάννης, κ.τ.λ., with the article,[37] Mat 3:4; Mar 6:17; Luk 3:23; Luk 24:15; Luk 24:36; Joh 2:24; Joh 4:44; 2Co 11:14.

[35] But Engl. Vers. takes it, Jesus Christ Himself. Beng. renders it, “Jesus Christ being the chief corner-stone of it,” viz. of the foundation.-ED

[36] Whether the reading Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ or Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ should be preferred is left doubtful on the marg. of both Ed. The Germ. Vers. separates Ἰησοῦ by a parenthesis.-E. B.

[37] AB Vulg. Memph. Orig. read the order Χριοτοῦ Ἰησοῦ. But D(Δ)Gg and Rec. Text have Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. (Acc. to Lachm., C supports the former order. Acc. to Tischend., C supports the latter.)-ED.