The Corner Stone?

[Van]

We know of two verses that indicate Christ is the cornerstone. See Ephesians 2:20 and 1 Peter 2:6.

Clearly Christ is the cornerstone of the foundation upon which the household of God is being built.

But just what does the "cornerstone" do? It is the "joining" stone connecting seemingly separate walls. But when joined to Christ, the differing stones become similar, Jew and Gentile, Male and Female, Slave and Free. See Galatians 3:28. When we became "living stones" we had been washed, thus the gift of the "white stone" with a new name, as a child of God. See 1 Peter 2:4-5 and Revelation 2:17

In Isaiah 28:16 we see that those who believe in "the cornerstone" will not be hastened away, since Christ is the sure foundation of our faith.

Kinda gives new meaning to being our "mediator" the one who joined us to God and to His household.

 

[Van]

The chief cornerstone, Christ,..

“A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE”;
they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this they were also appointed.​

How were the lost "appointed" (set unilaterally) to stumble and be disobedient to God's word? See 1 Peter 2:8.

We were "made sinners" as a consequence of Adam's sin, spiritually corrupted such we were prone to sin. And we started out, when conceived in iniquity, in a sinful state, in Adam, NOT Christ, thus in the realm of darkness. See Colossians 1:13.

 

[Ben1445]

there is another perspective on this subject.

Matthew 21:42
Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

According to stories, (the link is the first place I found it. I didn’t read the whole page. I linked it to say that I didn’t make it up.)

According to stories the stone in the temple that was rejected was the head of the corner. The top of the temple instead of the foundation.

This is not to say that Christ is not the foundation.

1 Corinthians 3:11
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.


What it would mean if it is more than a story is that there are two object lessons instead of one.

 

[Van]

there is another perspective on this subject.

Matthew 21:42
Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

According to stories, (the link is the first place I found it. I didn’t read the whole page. I linked it to say that I didn’t make it up.)

According to stories the stone in the temple that was rejected was the head of the corner. The top of the temple instead of the foundation.

This is not to say that Christ is not the foundation.

1 Corinthians 3:11
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

What it would mean if it is more than a story is that there are two object lessons instead of one.

Here is the NET bible footnote:

​

63tn Or “capstone,” “keystone.” Although these meanings are lexically possible, the imagery in Eph 2:20-22 and 1 Cor 3:11 indicates that the term κεφαλὴ γωνίας (kefalh gwnia") refers to a cornerstone, not a capstone.​

 

[Ben1445]

Here is the NET bible footnote:

​

63tn Or “capstone,” “keystone.” Although these meanings are lexically possible, the imagery in Eph 2:20-22 and 1 Cor 3:11 indicates that the term κεφαλὴ γωνίας (kefalh gwnia") refers to a cornerstone, not a capstone.​

I don’t disagree with that In Ephesians or 1 Corinthians.

But the Stone the builders rejected in Matthew is supposed to be a true story. They didn’t take the temple apart to replace the first stone laid.

I’m not trying to take apart what you said. I just wanted to include the use of a similar instance yet different, by Christ.
I only mention it to show a difference between the two uses. To avoid confusion of them.
A cap is not a foundation stone, hence two illustrations.

But why would the head be in the footer?

 

[Van]

I don’t disagree with that In Ephesians or 1 Corinthians.

But the Stone the builders rejected in Matthew is supposed to be a true story. They didn’t take the temple apart to replace the first stone laid.

I’m not trying to take apart what you said. I just wanted to include the use of a similar instance yet different, by Christ.
I only mention it to show a difference between the two uses. To avoid confusion of them.
A cap is not a foundation stone, hence two illustrations.

But why would the head be in the footer?

The footnote was for Matthew 21:42. The verse is translated chief cornerstone in the NASB, NKJV, AMP, and WE. Many others simply go with "cornerstone." Lastly several others including KJV and WEB, go with "head of the corner. This is based on the two Greek words, one meaning head or chief or more prominent, and the other word means corner and is in the genitive. Thus a literal translation would be Corner's head or chief. Or in plain English, chief cornerstone, as Christ was the "stone" rejected.

The legend in the link is a made up story, and provides no illumination of the meaning of the phrase, also found in Mark 12:10, Luke 20:17, Acts 4:11 and 1 Peter 2:7.

See also Psalm 118:22, where even the KJV goes with head stone of the corner, or the first stone laid. See also, 1 Corinthians 3:11. You cannot start a foundation, but only build on the one Christ started, if you expect a reward.

 

[Ben1445]

The legend in the link is a made up story

Jesus had apparently heard it.

Luke 20:17
And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

And this is a reference to Psalm 118. David is supposed to have written this Psalm so it could not make sense that he was telling about Solomon’s temple, could it?

Well, it could still be.
David collected the material for the temple, stone included.


1 Chronicles 22:14
Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.


It is entirely plausible that the stone for the end of the building of the temple was sent early, not recognized and set aside and forgotten.

Given the way that rabbinical teachings were passed on, it is plausible that it is a true story and referring to a prominent stone instead of the first stone you would place and would be expecting.
I’m not telling anyone to preach tradition or legend. But it doesn’t need to be thrown out either.

In either case, the truth is there.