20b … Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
Metaphorically speaking, the apostles and prophets are the foundation of the church, and our passage today indicates that Christ is the cornerstone. This image is different than the image Jesus gave, “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (Matt 16:18). There is no difficulty in admitting that Scripture uses different metaphors to describe similar but slightly different things. Jesus was speaking of the rock-like faith that Peter expressed (the Greek word for “rock” and the word for “Peter” are related but different words, one meaning “rock,” the other meaning “stone”). The existence of the church is dependent upon faith in Christ, a faith which Peter so eloquently expressed.
In terms of building up the church, the process began with apostolic teaching. The twelve apostles were the first to teach the faith. Everything else builds on that foundation. In other words, the work of helping the church to grow is rooted in and connected to what the apostles originally taught. The church began at Pentecost with the apostles’ ministry and continued to grow on their active ministry through their lifetimes. Today we have their teachings in the written New Testament and we continue to build on that foundation.
Our passage expands the metaphor to say that Christ Jesus is the cornerstone. The word actually refers to the capstone of a building, the uppermost stone that finished it off and held it altogether. It was somewhat like the middle piece in an arch or the top piece that bound two walls together like a modern day framing plate. Christ is in that position in the image.
This in no way contradicts Paul’s teaching elsewhere, “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 3:11). Apostolic teaching embodied the truth of Christ and His teachings, so both passages say the same thing. The emphasis here, though, is on the building up of the Church, and Christ is involved at every step of the process. Paul uses the phrase, “in Him.” The growth of the church is “in” Christ. We are being built up, fitted together, growing together. God is preparing us as a residence for Himself. This is the church, not just a social organization, or a religious institution. We are the very dwelling place of God in this world! This is the place where He finds Himself at home in this world.
Lord, I want to be part of that great building up of the people of God, so that You will find Yourself welcomed as You live through our community of faith.
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