Ephesians 2:20
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Study Note
Study Note
'Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone' — the temple metaphor applied to the new covenant community (Ephesians 2:19–22) identifies the structural elements: apostolic-prophetic tradition as foundation, Christ as the cornerstone (akrogōniaion, the defining stone), and the Spirit as the indwelling presence. The 'apostles and prophets' here likely refers to the New Testament office-holders (cf. Ephesians 3:5; 4:11) whose foundational teaching constitutes the norm by which later Christian doctrine is measured. The cornerstone imagery draws on Isaiah 28:16 and Psalm 118:22, both applied to Jesus in the New Testament (Matthew 21:42; 1 Peter 2:6–7). The verse is central in ecclesiological debates about the normativity of apostolic teaching and the relationship between Scripture, tradition, and the ongoing teaching ministry of the church.
Other Translations
being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone;
being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being chief corner-<FI> stone<Fi> ,
Resting on the base of the Apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief keystone,
Cross References
Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a …
And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: …
Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, …
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable …
To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the …
This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:
Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is …
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and …