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"In whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord."

Text: Ephesians 2:21

THE WORD “TEMPLE”

What is the mystical building that God is building? Paul identifies it clearly- as “a holy temple”. The word “temple” (“naos”) is used in the most interesting manner. There are a number of special applications of the word “temple” (“naos”) in the New Testament.

1. Used by the Jews

The Jews distinguished between the temple building as a whole (“hieron”) and the inner “holy place” (“naos”- Luke 1:9, 21, 22)

2. Used by Jesus

The Lord Jesus Christ spoke of His own body as the temple (“naon”- John 2:19, 21). This was a metaphorical use of the word

3. Used by the NT writers

a) As the mystical Body of Christ

Paul used the word “naon” to refer to the mystical Body of Christ (Ephesians 2:21).

b) As the local Church

Paul also used this same word “naon” to describe the local church congregation (Cf. 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17).

c) As the body of the individual believer

Paul even applied this word “naon” to the individual Christian (Cf. 1 Corinthians 6:19)

d) As the Apocalyptical Temple

The apostle John used this word to describe the Temple in the Book of Revelation (Cf. Revelation 21:22)

THE MYSTICAL BODY OF CHRIST

In the Ephesian context, Paul used the word “temple” to refer to the mystical Body of Christ. The word “mystical” is used because this concept is so profound, it defies easy definition.

1. A Metaphor

The “temple” is obviously not a physical, tangible entity. There is an obvious metaphorical usage of the word here.

2. More than a metaphor

The concept of the Body of Christ as “a holy temple” is more than just a figure of speech. There is such a spiritual entity called “the Body of Christ” here described as “a holy temple”.

3. A mystical Body

This phrase may be used to attempt to describe the special entity that God has created from the union of the Lord Jesus Christ with both Jewish and Gentile believers.