Ephesians 2 · Verse 21

Ephesians 2:21

In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Ephesians 2:21, King James Version

Ephesians 2:21 in other translations

BSBIn Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
WEBin whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord;
ASVin whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord;
YLTin whom all the building fitly framed together doth increase to an holy sanctuary in the Lord,
DARBYin whom all the building fitted together increases to a holy temple in the Lord;
BBEIn whom all the building, rightly joined together, comes to be a holy house of God in the Lord;
WebsterIn whom all the building fitly framed together, groweth to a holy temple in the Lord:

What does Ephesians 2:21 mean?

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 Ep 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" (Ep 2:22). So "in the Lord" (Christ) answers to "through the Spirit" (Ep 2:22; compare Ep 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].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 21. In whom. That is, by whom, or upon whom. It was in connexion with him, or by being reared on him as a foundation.

All the building. The whole church of Christ.

Fitly framed together. The word here used means, to joint together, as a carpenter does the frame-work of a building. The materials are accurately and carefully united by mortices and tenons, so that the building shall be firm. Different materials may be used, and different kinds of timber may be employed; but one part shall be worked into another, so as to constitute a durable and beautiful edifice. So in the church. The different materials of the Jews and Gentiles; the people of various nations, though heretofore separated and discordant, become now united, and form an harmonious society. They believe the same doctrines; worship the same God; practise the same holiness, and look forward to the same heaven.

Groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord. 1Cor 3:17; 2Cor 6:16.

(h) "holy temple" 1Cor 3:17, 2Cor 6:16

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 21 In whom - By which foundation corner stone, Christ Jesus, all the building, composed of converted Jews and Gentiles, fitly framed together, συναρμολογουμενη, properly jointed and connected together, groweth unto a holy temple - is continually increasing, as new converts from Judaism or heathenism flock into it. It is not a finished building, but will continue to increase, and be more and more perfect, till the day of judgment.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ephesians 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…

Read the full comment on Ephesians 2:19-22 →

Ephesians 2:21 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἐνeninG1722
ᾧhōwhomG3739
πᾶσαpasa[the] wholeG3956
οἰκοδομὴoikodomēbuildingG3619
συναρμολογουμένηsunarmologoumenēbeing fitted togetherG4883
αὔξειauxeiis increasingG837
εἰςeisintoG1519
ναὸνnaona templeG3485
ἅγιονhagionholyG40
ἐνeninG1722
κυρίῳ,kuriō[the] Lord,G2962

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Ephesians 2:21

  • 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

    Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:9

    For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:16

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

  • Ephesians 4:13-16

    Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

  • 1 Kings 6:7

    And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.

  • Hebrews 3:3-4

    For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.

  • Exodus 26:1-37

    Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them. The length of one curtain shall be eight and twenty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and every one of the curtains shall have one measure. The five curtains shall be coupled together one to another; and other five curtains shall be coupled one to another. And thou shalt make loops of blue upon the edge of the one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling; and likewise shalt thou make in the uttermost edge of another curtain, in the coupling of the second. …

  • Ezekiel 42:12

    And according to the doors of the chambers that were toward the south was a door in the head of the way, even the way directly before the wall toward the east, as one entereth into them.

  • Psalms 93:5

    Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever.

  • Ezekiel 40:1-42

    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 the Lord was upon me, and brought me thither. In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which was as the frame of a city on the south. And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate. And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel. …

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
all.
4:13-16; Eze 40:1-42:20; 1Co 3:9; Heb 3:3,4
fitly.
Ex 26:1-37; 1Ki 6:7
an.
Ps 93:5; Eze 42:12; 1Co 3:17; 2Co 6:16

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Ephesians 2:20

    And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

  • Ephesians 2:21

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

  • Ephesians 2:22

    In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Read all of Ephesians 2

Ephesians 2:21 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		En el cual, compaginado todo el edificio, va creciendo para ser un templo santo en el Señor:
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		en qui tout l’édifice, bien ajusté ensemble, croît pour être un temple saint dans le Seigneur;
German
Elberfelder 1871		in welchem der ganze Bau, wohl zusammengefügt, wächst zu einem heiligen Tempel im Herrn,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		in quo omnis ædificatio constructa crescit in templum sanctum in Domino,