Foundation; Vines offers - A-1,Noun,2310,themelios / themelion ] is properly an adjective denoting belonging to a foundation" (connected with tithemi, "to place"). It is used (def. 2a) metaphorically, of "the ministry of the Gospel and the doctrines of the faith". The Greek word is θεμέλιος and it has the idea of something put down, i.e. a substruction (of a building, etc.), (literally or figuratively)
Derivation: from a derivative of τίθημι. Strong's G2310.
Apostles and Prophets; NSB* expands on this stating the apostles and prophets were the foundation of the church because they pointed to and witnessed to Jesus. The early church was established on their teaching and preaching. As covered in Acts chapter 2. Yet, Christ Himself is the rock foundation on which the whole church rests.
1 Peter 2:1-9 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow [a]thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,
“Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who [b]are disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,”
8 and
“A stone of stumbling
And a rock of offense.”
They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Cornerstone; The cornerstone was the first large stone placed at the corner of a building. The builders would line up the rest of the structure to the chief cornerstone.
Moving to verse 21
Being Fitted Together; NSB - pictures the process in Roman construction whereby laborers (usually slaves) would turn huge rocks until they fit each other perfectly. For example, columns would appear to be one piece but were actually separate cylinders of stone resting on each other. In similar fashion, God fits believers together in the holy temple He is building for Himself.
The Greek word for "fitted" is συναρμολογέω sunarmologeo. Strong's G4883. Vince (def.B4) "to fit or frame together" (sun, "with," harmos, "a joint, in building," and lego, "to choose"), is used metaphorically of the various parts of the church as a building.
Holy Temple; The word used here in the Greek is naos ναός. Strong's G3485. Vine's (def. d1 ) used of of the Church, the mystical Body of Christ.
Moving to verse 22.
The Greek word for "fitted" is συναρμολογέω sunarmologeo. Strong's G4883. Vince (def.B4) "to fit or frame together" (sun, "with," harmos, "a joint, in building," and lego, "to choose"), is used metaphorically of the various parts of the church as a building.
Holy Temple; The word used here in the Greek is naos ναός. Strong's G3485. Vine's (def. d1 ) used of of the Church, the mystical Body of Christ.
Moving to verse 22.
Built Together; Build is the Greek word in this instance is ἐποικοδομέω epoikodomeo signifies "to build upon" (epi, "upon"). i.e. (figuratively) to rear up.
Dwelling Place Of God; This gets to the Holy Temple qualifier. The Greek word is katoiketerion κατοικητήριον (kata, "down," used intensively, and No. 1), implying more permanency than No. 1, is used of the church as the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit;
Takeaways:
1. Jesus Christ is always the chief cornerstone of the church. Everything is in submission to and dependent on Jesus Christ.
2. Paul is using terms used in construction because these concepts were widely understood at the time. The foundation being the apostles and prophets.
3. Doctrinaly the closer we stay to the word of God in teaching and handling that carefully finding the intent of the text, the closer we are to getting into the foundational concepts, and principles as given by the apostles and prophets who are the witnesses of Jesus Christ. The more we inject our own ideas not in the text or twist what is there, the further we get away from the witness of Jesus Christ which is the opposite of what we want to do.
Pursue Christ with everything you have. There is no other effort more worthy of your time.
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