Ephesians Chapter 2 verse 19 Holy Bible

Ephesians 2 : 19 Bible Verse Songs

• The Family of God by Bill Gaither + Gloria Gaither

Pulpit Commentary

Pulpit CommentaryVerse 19. - So then ye are no more strangers and foreigners. "Sojourners" is nearer πάροικοι than "foreigners;" it denotes persons dwelling in a place, but without citizen rights and privileges; but as such persons are usually foreigners, it is immaterial which term is used. But ye are fellow-citizens with the saints. The saints are the chosen ones of all time (comp. Hebrews 12:22, "But ye are come unto Mount Zion," etc.). "Their names are engraven on the same civic roll with all whom ' the Lord shall count when be reckoneth up the people." It is as if they who had dwelt in the waste and howling wilderness, scattered defenseless and in melancholy isolation, had been transplanted, not only into Palestine, but had been appointed to domiciles on Mount Zion, and were located in the metropolis, not to admire its architecture, or gaze upon its battlements, or envy the tribes who had come up to worship in the city which is compact together; but to claim its municipal immunities, experience its protection, obey its laws, live and love in its happy society, and hold communion with its glorious Founder and Guardian" (Eadie). And (members) of the household of God. A nearer relation to God and a higher privilege is denoted here. You are not guests or occasional visitors, but permanent dwellers in the house and members of the family. Compare the Queen of Sheba's words to Solomon (1 Kings 10:8).

Ellicott's Commentary

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(2 c.) Ephesians 2:19-22 sum up the two-fold idea of this chapter--union of the Gentiles, with God and with God's chosen people--in the metaphor of the One Temple, of which Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone, and which, both collectively and in the individuality of each part, grows into a habitation of God.(19) Strangers and foreigners.--Here the word rendered "stranger" means properly an alien, or foreigner; while the word translated "foreigners" signifies the resident aliens of an ancient city, who were but half-aliens, having free intercourse with the citizens, although no rights of citizenship. The latter word is used literally in Acts 7:6; Acts 7:29 (there rendered "sojourner"), and often in the LXX. version; perhaps metaphorically in 1Peter 2:11. Such a sojourner, though in some sense less an absolute alien than the mere "stranger," was one on whom by daily contrast the sense of being an alien, excluded from power and privilege, was more forcibly impressed.Fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.--In sense this double expression preserves the double idea running through the whole chapter. The phrase "fellowcitizens of the saints" is applied to the Gentiles, as now united with the Israel of God in one "commonwealth." (See above, Ephesians 2:12.) "Members of the household of God" refers rather to the union with God, restored by the blood of Jesus Christ. (See Ephesians 2:13.) As to the metaphor, the word "stranger"--that is, alien--seems to be opposed to "fellowcitizen"; the word "foreigner"--that is, half-alien--to members of the household: for the resident aliens stood opposed to the "houses," the families or clans, of the citizens--the unit in ancient law being always the family, and not the individual. The Gentiles were now brought into a "household," and that household the household of God Himself. . . .