What does Ephesians 2:22 mean?

Explanation

Ephesians 2:22 is the culmination of a passage that describes the unification and integration of believers with Christ and with each other.

This verse signifies that not only individual Christians are God's dwelling through the Holy Spirit, but also the collective body, which is the Church. The "ye also" here potentially refers to Gentile believers being included in this building process, alongside Jewish believers.

The word "builded together" suggests the integration and cohesion of believers into a spiritual structure.

The "habitation of God through the Spirit" emphasizes that it is by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit that God resides within this collective entity.

This habitation is not a physical structure, but a spiritual one, where God's presence is felt and experienced among His people.

Historical Context

Ephesians was written by the Apostle Paul, most likely while he was imprisoned in Rome around AD 62. The letter's recipients were primarily Gentile Christians living in Ephesus, a major city of the Roman Empire.

It was a time when the early Church was grappling with the integration of Jewish and Gentile followers of Jesus.

The cultural and religious barriers between Jews and Gentiles were profound, and Paul's theology in Ephesians works to break down those dividing walls (Ephesians 2:14), emphasizing the unity and equality of all believers in Christ.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse represents several Christian doctrines:

Unity of the Church - The idea that all believers, regardless of background, are joined together into a new, spiritual household. 2.

Indwelling of the Holy Spirit - The concept that God inhabits the collective body of believers through His Spirit. 3.

Ecclesiology - This touches on the nature of the Church, not as a building or institution, but as a community of faith established and sustained by God's presence. 4.

Temple Imagery - In the Old Testament, the Temple was the physical dwelling place of God.

New Testament theology reinterprets this to understand believers, individually and corporately, as a spiritual temple. 5.

Inclusion of Gentiles - Paul is reinforcing the idea that Gentile believers are not secondary citizens but fully integrated into the body of Christ.

Practical Applications

In daily life, this verse serves as a reminder to Christians of several practical applications:

Embrace unity - Believers of diverse backgrounds should work towards unity and harmony. 2.

Foster spiritual growth - As temples of the Holy Spirit, Christians are called to live holy lives that reflect God's character. 3.

Community importance - The verse highlights the need for communal worship and the strength of the collective faith community. 4.

The role of the Spirit - It invites believers to be open to the Holy Spirit's work within and among them.

Cross-References

1. 1 Corinthians 3:16 - "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"
2. 1 Peter 2:5 - "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."
3. 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."

Language Study

• "Builded together" (Greek: συνοικοδομεῖσθε, sunoikodomeisthe): Derived from "sun" meaning together, and "oikodomeo" meaning to build a house. It implies being built together as parts of a single edifice.
• "Habitation" (Greek: κατοικητήριον, katoikētērion): A dwelling place or abode.

It suggests a permanent residence, as opposed to a temporary lodging.

• "God" here refers to the supreme deity of Christian belief, which in this context implies the Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
• "Through the Spirit" (Greek: ἐν πνεύματι, en pneumati): Through the agency or means of the Holy Spirit, indicating the Spirit's active role in uniting believers and making God's presence known.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of a divine being dwelling among people is not unique to Christianity. In many ancient religions, gods were believed to inhabit temples and other sacred spaces.

However, the Christian understanding as discussed in Ephesians has a distinct personal and collective aspect, with the divine presence not confined to a physical location but rather living within a community of believers.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse speaks to spiritual truths rather than empirical scientific facts, from a psychological perspective, it touches upon the complex interplay between individual and communal identity and the role that shared beliefs have in forming cohesive social structures and affecting human behavior.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians interpret Ephesians 2:22 with a consensus on the central message of unity in Christ.

John Stott, in his commentary "The Message of Ephesians," echoes the idea that God is creating a new society in which barriers are broken down.

Matthew Henry's commentary emphasizes the growth of this spiritual edifice, continually expanding and being sanctified by God's presence.

Modern commentaries continue to explore the implications of this unity, the work of the Spirit, and the transformative nature of God's indwelling among His people.