Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Ephesians 2:21

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Mark, how he knits it all together, and represents Him at one time, as holding down the whole body from above, and welding it together; at another time, as supporting the building from below, and being, as it were, a root, or base. And whereas he had used the expression, "He created in Himself of the twain one new man;" by this he clearly shows us, that by Himself Christ knits together the two walls: and again, that in Him it was created. …

Homily on Ephesians 6 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

On the cornerstone, he says, that is Christ, the entire building — namely all believers, joined organically and inseparably — grows and is filled up, so as to become temples of God. "And I will set My dwelling among you," He says, "and will walk among you" (Lev. 26:11–12). For the Church (ἐκκλησία) in general, that is the assembly of all believers, is a temple of God, and so too is each person individually. "In the Lord" is said instead of — by the grace of the Lord, and not by our labors. …

Commentary on Ephesians ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

It is maintained by some that the whole edifice built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets comprises not only human souls but also angelic powers, so that all equally will become the abode of God. They argue that it would be absurd if angels and all the blessed forces who serve God in heaven would have no part in this blessedness. For in this is a building, put together harmoniously, that is growing into a holy temple of God to be an abode of God in the Spirit.

Commentary on Ephesians 2:1-5 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Next, he treats of the building's construction. In erecting any building four stages are requisite. First is the foundation of the edifice, second is the construction, third its increase, and fourth is the completion. He briefly touches on these. In saying "in whom" he designates the foundation which principally is Christ and secondarily the doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets: "For other foundation no man can lay, but that which is laid; which is Christ Jesus" (1 Cor 3:11). …

Commentary on Ephesians ↗