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I. THE UNBELIEVING STATE OF THE GENTILE CHURCH. "Strangers."

1. Strangers to God. To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (Ephesians 2:12).

2. Strangers to the Word of God (Psalm 119:158).

3. Strangers to the Church of God (1 John 3:1).

4. Strangers to themselves (Revelation 3:17).

5. Strangers to the enjoyments, fears, duties, privileges, persecutions, and prospects of a Christian (1 Corinthians 2:11).Foreigners.

1. Naturally of another race (Psalm 51:5).

2. Under the authority of another prince (2 Corinthians 4:4).

3. Of a totally different complexion (Jeremiah 13:23).

4. Speaking another language (Psalm 58:3).

5. Seeking other interests than God (Philippians 2:21).

6. At an infinite distance from the celestial kingdom, where only true happiness rests (Ephesians 2:13).

II. THEIR ADOPTED OR PRIVILEGED CONDITION. "Fellow citizens," etc. The city they belong to is either the Church below, or the Church above.

1. It is the city of God (Hebrews 12:22).

2. Of God's building (Psalm 127:1).

3. Where He dwells (Psalm 68:16).

4. Which is strongly fortified (Isaiah 26:1).

5. It is delightfully situated by the river of God's love (Psalm 46:4).

6. Endowed with various privileges (1 Corinthians 3:21-23).

7. Peopled with high-born inhabitants (John 1:13).The Church of God above.

1. This is a city of God's preparing (John 14:2, 3).

2. There He has His more especial residence (1 Corinthians 13:12).

3. The inhabitants are angels and saints (Hebrews 12:22, 23).

4. Of this city we are also citizens (Galatians 4:26).

5. Set apart by the Father's grace (Jude).

6. By the work of Christ in their behalf (Hebrews 10:14).

7. And by the agency of the Holy Ghost (Romans 5:5).

8. And having a right to a name and a place in the Church on earth; so have they their citizenship in heaven (Job 16:19).

9. This they have not by birth, nor purchase, but by the free grace of God, which gives them both a right and meetness (2 Timothy 1:9).

10. And believing Gentiles are here made equal with the Jews in the blessings of salvation (Ephesians 2:14).And of the household of God.

1. The Church of God consisting of believers (Acts 5:14).

2. This family is named after, and by Christ (Ephesians 3:14, 15).

3. Of this family God is the Father (John 20:17).

4. Christ is the first-born (Romans 8:29).

5. Ministers are stewards of this house (1 Corinthians 4:1).

6. To this family all believers belong (Acts 4:32).

7. Not by birth, nor merit, but by adopting grace (Ephesians 1:5).

8. The members of this family are freed from all bondage (Romans 8:15).

9. They can never be arrested or condemned (Romans 8:1).

10. They have liberty of access to God (Ephesians 2:18).

11. Share in the fulness of Christ's grace (Ephesians 3:19).

12. Are well taken care of (Psalm 145:20).

13. They are richly clothed (Isaiah 61:10).

14. They have plenty of provisions (Psalm 36:8).

15. And are heirs of a never-fading inheritance (1 Peter 1:4, 5).

III. THE FOUNDATION AND CORNERSTONE ARE CHRIST. "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets."

1. The Father saved them designedly in Christ (2 Timothy 1:9).

2. The Son saved them positively in Himself (Hebrews 10:14).

3. The Spirit saves them apprehensively in Christ (Titus 3:5).

4. Christ, then, is the foundation of the Church (Matthew 16:18).

5. He is the foundation of all covenant blessings (Ephesians 1:3).

6. Of faith (Acts 20:21).

7. Of hope (Colossians 1:27).

8. Of peace (Ephesians 2:14).

9. Of joy (Romans 5:11).

10. Of comfort (2 Thessalonians 2:17).

11. Of glory (Jude 1:25).

12. The stones of this building are hewn out by the Word, and the ministers of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:7).Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.

1. He joins together Old and New Testament saints (Ephesians 2:14).

2. Saints above and saints below (Hebrews 12:23).

3. Saints in all parts of the world (John 11:52).

4. This stone is refused by many (Psalm 118:22).

5. Yet a durable and precious stone (Isaiah 28:16).

6. It is a foundation cornerstone, reaching under the whole building to the four corners (1 Corinthians 3:11).

IV. THE PERFECTION OF THE BUILDING. "In whom all the building fitly framed together."

1. All the building — The universal Church of Christ (Acts 4:12).

2. Fitly framed — Is of a spiritual nature (Colossians 2:19).

3. It consists of various parts as a building does (Romans 12:4, 5).

4. Fitly or closely joined to Christ by living faith (Galatians 2:20).

5. Banded to each other by Christian love (1 John 4:7).

6. These are all set in the Church in exact symmetry and proportion (1 Corinthians 12:12-31).Groweth into a holy temple in the Lord.

1. It grows by the accession of elect souls, newly called by Divine grace (Acts 2:47).

2. It is not yet openly and visibly completed, but it will be in the calling of the Jews and the fulness of the Gentiles (Romans 11:25, 26).Holy temple; alluding to the temple at Jerusalem.

1. Whose stones were prepared before they were brought into the building.

2. Whose magnificence and beauty were very great.

3. A place of holy worship (2 Corinthians 6:16).In the Lord.

1. There is no salvation, blessing, or holiness but in the Lord (Colossians 3:11).

V. THE DESIGN OF THIS TEMPLE. "In whom ye are builded together." Then it appears from what has been said, that God is the builder, Christ the foundation, and believers are the materials of this temple.

1. The door of entrance is faith in Christ (Hebrews 11:6).

2. Ministers of the gospel are pillars (Galatians 2:9).

3. The ordinances are its windows (Exodus 20:24).

4. Its provisions are large and entertaining (Psalm 132:15).It denotes —

(1)  Agreement.

(2)  Combination.

(3)  Strength.

(4)  Perpetuity.For a habitation of God through the Spirit.

1. God dwells in the Church in the person of Christ (2 Corinthians 6:16).

2. The Church dwells in God by her union to Christ (1 John 4:13).

3. It is a spiritual dwelling that is here intended, both of God in us, and of us in God (Romans 8:9, 10).

(T. B. Baker.)

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

WEB: being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;