Devine Scripture

Ephesians 2:21

What does Ephesians 2:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 2:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 2:21 means

In Christ, the whole structure—every part of the church—fits together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. The image is organic and architectural: carefully joined stones forming a living, expanding sanctuary. Holiness is essential; this temple is set apart for God. The emphasis on growth indicates that God’s work is ongoing; the church is not static but being steadily formed according to Christ. Unity is not uniformity; each part is “fitly framed” to serve the whole. The Lord himself is the environment of this growth—“in the Lord”—so that the temple’s character reflects his.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

In whom all the building, rightly joined together, comes to be a holy house of God in the Lord;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

in whom all the building fitly framed together doth increase to an holy sanctuary in the Lord,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

in whom all [the] building fitted together increases to a holy temple in the Lord;

Context

Verse 21 generalizes the building image: the entire church, beyond any one local assembly, is being fitted together into God’s holy temple. Verse 22 will bring this grand picture down to the Ephesians’ experience, assuring them that they, too, are included in this work. The movement is from the universal church to the local application, maintaining both breadth and immediacy.

v.20being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone;

v.21This passage

v.22in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Kings 6:7

    And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready at the quarry; and there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:16

    And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

  • Psalms 93:5

    Thy testimonies are very sure: Holiness becometh thy house, O Jehovah, for evermore.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:9

    For we are God’s fellow-workers: ye are God’s husbandry, God’s building.

  • Ezekiel 40:1

    In the five and twentieth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after that the city was smitten, in the selfsame day, the hand of Jehovah was upon me, and he brought me thither.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:16

    Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

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