(19) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: (22) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Let the Reader observe, how delightfully the Apostle calls off the attention of the Church, from what they once was, to what they now are. No more strangers, but friends: no more foreigners, but fellow-citizens; made free of that city whose builder and maker is God. Oh! what trouble, and vexation, men of this world have, in their freedom as they call it, of the perishing cities of the earth. Here is an inheritance, in the citizenship of heaven, yea, the household of God. And all such are in sweet communion and fellowship with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. No strangers to the love of God, to the Person, glory, and grace, of Christ; nor to the regenerating, renewing influences, of God the Holy Ghost. Oh! the felicity, even now, of an heir of heaven! Oh! the glory, that soon shall be revealed!
But the Apostle proceeds. Ye are built (saith he) upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. Yes! built upon the same foundation, as the Apostles and Prophets. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11. God the Father laid this foundation-stone in Zion. Isaiah 28:16. And, both the Prophets of the Old Testament, and the Apostles of the New, acted only as servants in building the Church, on this Rock of Ages. Neither the persons, nor the doctrines, of the Apostles, and Prophets, are the foundation; but Christ in their doctrines: and, therefore, said to be their foundation.
I beg the Reader to observe with me, how blessedly Paul introduceth the whole Three Persons of the Godhead, as concerned, and engaged, in this building. God the Father layeth the foundation. Christ is the foundation, and the Chief Corner Stone, to knit together the whole building. And the building is, for an habitation of God, through the Spirit.
It is probable, I think, that while Paul makes use of such a beautiful similitude, as that of a Temple, to teach the Church the blessedness, of the Lord's people forming one grand body, of a spiritual nature, as hereafter to be completed in heaven; he had in view, the magnificent building the Ephesians had erected, to the honor of their dunghill idol, Diana: which, we are told, was, in point of splendor, one of the world's wonders. It is, therefore, as if he had said: behold that superb structure! See how it is desecrated, to a mere idol! Then turn your thoughts, and contemplate that temple, which is founded on Christ, for an habitation of God, through the Spirit! And think, what unknown glories must result, from such an inhabitation, here in grace, and hereafter in glory! 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
If the Reader will indulge me but a few moments longer, on this sweet subject, I will venture, under the hope of divine grace, to touch at the outlines of it, with reverence, and godly fear. More than the out lines, I cannot propose. We must be favored, both Writer and Reader of this Poor Man's Commentary, with the vision John had, and see what he saw, and hear what he heard, before we can go further into the subject. H e saw (he tells us) the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, as a bride adorned for her husband. And, he heard a great voice out of heaven, saying: behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them. Revelation 21:2-3. But, though we neither hear, nor see, in visions, as John did; we derive instructions, under God the Spirit's teaching, from what he saw, and heard, for he was directed, to make known the revelation to the Churches. And the Lord Jesus, who sent his servant, pronounced a blessedness on those, who read, and hear, the words of his prophecy. Revelation 1:3; Revelation 1:3
The first, and great, and ultimate object, which I beg the Reader. everlastingly to keep in view, as he ponders this beautiful similitude of the Apostle, is, that the glorious structure is the joint result of the Holy Three in One, as hath been before noticed. How blessedly doth Jehovah, in his Personalities, endear himself to the hearts of his people, by such united views, of his love, and grace and favor, towards the Church in Christ! Surely it is, that his people might have somewhat in their apprehensions, to lean upon, in their drawing nigh to the Lord, for communion in, and with, and by, Christ. Without this, in discovering the special acts of grace, from each glorious Person in the Godhead, the soul would be overwhelmed, and lost, in the contemplation of the divine essence!
When the Reader hath duly pondered these things, I would beg him to, consider also, the proposed object of this spiritual building, which is said to be for an habitation of God through the Spirit. And, as the whole efficiency of the work, is now with the Spirit; we are here plainly taught, that it is to his Almighty agency, the whole structure is committed; and from his sovereignty in the communications of grace, from first to last, the whole building must be formed. If the Church of God, in the present day, was more alive to the apprehension of the Person, and Godhead, and work, and offices of God the Holy Ghost; how would the minds, both of ministers and people, be waiting for his directions, in all the several means of grace, that they might hear, before they entered upon them, and as they passed through them, what the Spirit saith unto the Churches!
That God the Holy Ghost is the Almighty Founder and Architect, of the whole spiritual building, is too plain a truth, to require arguments to establish. His is the whole Scripture, for the edification of the Church. His every dispensation in ordinances. His, the whole appointment of sacrifices. For when the High Priest went once every year with blood, into the holy place, we are told, that the Holy Ghost hereby signified his intentions by that service, See Hebrews 9:6-8. And, as the several ordinances, and means of grace, are of his express appointment; so the blessed effects intended from them, in spiritual fruits, are wholly his gift. It is He which lays the foundation of the temple, in the hearts of the Lord's people, by quickening, and regenerating the dead in trespasses and sins. He carries on the work, from grace to grace, in the soul. He it is which forms Christ in the heart, the hope of glory. In short, the Lord the Spirit is the founder, builder, and finisher, of the whole spiritual temple: and He, which enables the lively stones to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5. All these worketh that one, and the self same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 1 Corinthians 12:11. Reader! ponder well the vast subject. It is indeed, too vast, too sublime, for the perfect apprehension of our unripe faculties. But, when the Lord shall bring home his glorious Church, from earth, to heaven; and present it to himself, a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, nor any such thing, but to be holy, and without blemish; and the whole building is fully prepared, in body, soul, and spirit, for the everlasting glory of God in Christ: then will it be, indeed, for an habitation of God through the Spirit! Oh! God the Holy Ghost! do thou build up thy people, in the Lord our righteousness. Make our bodies thy temple: and direct the hearts of all thy redeemed, into the love of God, and patient waiting for Christ!