How Firm A Foundation

The idea of oneness is done “in”: IN Christ Jesus (v 13), through/IN the blood of Christ (v 13), IN his flesh (v 15), IN himself (v 15), IN this one body (v 16), and by/IN one Spirit (v 18). Christ is the cause, the center and the completion of all things. The most repeated noun in the chapter, however, is not peace (4x), but Jesus (5x), God (6x) and Christ (8x)!

Be Constructive - Not Strangers But Saints

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

In late January and early February of 2024, two atmospheric rivers dumped large amounts of rain over Southern California, causing flooding and mudslides and killing at least nine people. What is an atmospheric river? An atmospheric river is literally a river of water vapor in the sky. Like rivers on land, they can stretch over 1,245 miles long and 620 miles wide, carrying more water than a dozen Mississippi Rivers. https://www.businessinsider.com/atmospheric-river-meaning-definition-how-long-last-storm

Dozens of homes in the most expensive areas of Los Angeles were destroyed. So what homes face the most damage? Hillside homes, clifftop mansions and lofty locales. Why? Their foundation is stones, sand and soil!

Foreigners/strangers (v 19) is “xenos,” aliens/foreigners is “by-dweller” (alien resident) or sojourner (Acts 7:6, KJV), and the contrast of fellow citizens (sum-polites) and “members.” Sum is “syn” (from synopsis), “sync” and summation. Fellow citizens (-polites) is “joint-citizen,” from the noun “city.” The Gentiles were no longer outsiders, outcasts or outliers. The Gentiles and Jews, therefore, travel on the same path, have the same purpose and receive the same privileges. They are co-heirs in Christ, complimenting and completing one another.

There is also a reference to the Trinity in every verse in the last section (vv 19-22): GOD's household (v 19), CHRIST JESUS himself as the chief cornerstone (v 20), become a holy temple in the LORD (v 21), and become a dwelling in which GOD lives by his SPIRIT (v 22). Our unity reflects the holiness, honor and harmony of the Trinity.

v 19 members of GOD 's household

v 20 CHRIST JESUS himself as the chief cornerstone

v 21 to become a holy temple in the LORD

v 22 to become a dwelling in which GOD lives by his SPIRIT

Verse 22’s built together is “sun-oikodomeo.” Paul is doing such a masterful job in literature letting his audience know how verse 22 is the climax: you are… members of God’s household (v 19, OIKos), built upon (v 20, ep-OIKodomeo) the foundation of apostles and prophets, the whole building (v 21, OIKodome) is joined together, built together (v 22, sun-OIKodomeo) and dwelling (kat-OIKeterion).