Ephesians 2:21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.

◄ Ephesians 2:21 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.

English Standard Version
in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

New American Standard Bible
in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord,

King James Bible
In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The whole building, being put together by Him, grows into a holy sanctuary in the Lord.

International Standard Version
In union with him the whole building is joined together and rises into a holy sanctuary for the Lord.

American Standard Version
in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord;

Douay-Rheims Bible
In whom all the building, being framed together, groweth up into an holy temple in the Lord.

Darby Bible Translation
in whom all the building fitted together increases to a holy temple in the Lord;

Young's Literal Translation
in whom all the building fitly framed together doth increase to an holy sanctuary in the Lord,

Cross References

1 Corinthians 3:16
Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

Ephesians 4:15
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Colossians 2:19
And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increases with the increase of God.

1 Timothy 3:15
But if I tarry long, that you may know how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

2:19-22 The church is compared to a city, and every converted sinner is free of it. It is also compared to a house, and every converted sinner is one of the family; a servant, and a child in God's house. The church is also compared to a building, founded on the doctrine of Christ; delivered by the prophets of the Old Testament, and the apostles of the New. God dwells in all believers now; they become the temple of God through the working of the blessed Spirit. Let us then ask if our hopes are fixed on Christ, according to the doctrine of his word? Have we devoted ourselves as holy temples to God through him? Are we habitations of God by the Spirit, are we spiritually-minded, and do we bring forth the fruits of the Spirit? Let us take heed not to grieve the holy Comforter. Let us desire his gracious presence, and his influences upon our hearts. Let us seek to discharge the duties allotted to us, to the glory of God.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

21. In whom—as holding together the whole.

fitly framed—so as exactly to fit together.

groweth—"is growing" continually. Here an additional thought is added to the image; the Church has the growth of a living organism, not the mere increase of a building. Compare 1Pe 2:5; "lively stones … built up a spiritual house." Compare Eph 4:16; Zec 6:12, "The Branch shall build the temple of the Lord," where similarly the growth of a branch, and the building of a temple, are joined.

holy—as being the "habitation of God" (Eph 2:22). So "in the Lord" (Christ) answers to "through the Spirit" (Eph 2:22; compare Eph 3:16, 17). "Christ is the inclusive Head of all the building, the element in which it has its being and now its growth" [Alford].