III. Ye Also Are Builded

Witness Lee concludes this chapter with a discussion of the interdependent relationship between the universal church (“all the building”) and the local church (“ye also are being builded”) in Ephesians 2:21-22.

In closing this chapter, we must read Ephesians 2:21-22. The following is the best translation: "In whom all the building, fitly framed together, groweth into an holy temple in the Lord. In whom ye also are being builded together into an habitation of God in spirit." The Apostle Paul added verse 22 as a kind of repetition. It seems that verse 21 is quite adequate: "In whom all the building fitly framed together, groweth into an holy temple in the Lord." Why does he need verse 22? "In whom ye also are being builded together into an habitation of God in spirit." What is mentioned in verse 21 is the so-called universal church, the whole Body of Christ. But Paul mentions the local church in verse 22. "Ye" refers to the saints of the local church in Ephesus. "Ye also are being builded together for an habitation of God in spirit." Is the habitation of God in verse 22 different from the temple in the Lord in verse 21? No, the habitation of God in verse 22 is a part of the temple in the Lord in verse 21. One is local; the other is universal.

Bible teachers have always said that the book of Ephesians is not about the local church, but the universal church. They are right in that this book covers the universal aspect of the church, but it still deals with the local church. "In whom ye also are being builded together…” This is the building of the local church. Do not say that as long as we have the universal church it is good enough. Regardless of how much we have the universal church, we still need "In whom ye also…!” We still need the local church, for without it, there is no practicality of the church.

Witness Lee points out that although the book of Ephesians mainly concerns the universal church, chapter two, verse 22 clearly touches on the matter of the local church—specifically, the local church in Ephesus.. The experience of individual believers being built together in local churches is the practical way in which "all the building...grows into a holy temple in the Lord."