Eph 2:21 | JFB | STEP | 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 ; "lively stones ... built up a spiritual house." Compare ; , "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" ( ). So "in the Lord" (Christ) answers to "through the Spirit" ( ; compare , ). "Christ is the inclusive Head of all the building, the element in which it has its being and now its growth" [Alford].

‏ Ephesians 2:21

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].