In biblical architecture and symbolism, the term "corner-stone" holds significant importance, both in a literal and metaphorical sense. The corner-stone is the foundational stone at the corner of a building, crucial for the structure's stability and alignment. In Scripture, it is often used to represent strength, foundation, and the essential nature of Christ in the spiritual edifice of the Church.

Old Testament References

The concept of the corner-stone is first introduced in the Old Testament, where it is associated with strength and stability. In Isaiah 28:16 , the prophet declares, "So this is what the Lord GOD says: 'See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.'" This passage highlights the corner-stone as a symbol of trust and reliability, pointing to the coming Messiah as the ultimate foundation for God's people.

Psalm 118:22 also speaks of the corner-stone: "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." This verse is prophetic, foretelling the rejection of Christ by the religious leaders of His time and His subsequent exaltation as the foundation of the Church.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the imagery of the corner-stone is explicitly applied to Jesus Christ. In Matthew 21:42 , Jesus Himself quotes Psalm 118:22, saying, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?" Here, Jesus identifies Himself as the rejected stone, now established as the cornerstone of God's redemptive plan.

The Apostle Peter further elaborates on this in 1 Peter 2:6-7 : "For it stands in Scripture: 'See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.' To you who believe, then, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, 'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.'" Peter emphasizes the dual role of Christ as both a foundation for believers and a stumbling block for those who reject Him.

Theological Significance

Theologically, the corner-stone represents Christ as the essential foundation of the Church. Ephesians 2:19-20 states, "Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone." This passage underscores the unity and stability of the Church, grounded in the teachings of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the pivotal cornerstone.

In the broader biblical narrative, the corner-stone signifies the fulfillment of God's promises and the establishment of His kingdom through Jesus Christ. It serves as a reminder of the centrality of Christ in the life of believers and the Church's mission in the world.

Practical Implications

For believers, the imagery of the corner-stone calls for a life built upon the teachings and person of Jesus Christ. It challenges Christians to align their lives with the truth of the Gospel, ensuring that their faith is anchored in the unshakeable foundation of Christ. As the cornerstone provides stability to a building, so does Christ offer spiritual stability and direction to those who trust in Him.

Introduction
... He did not invent the doctrines of original sin and seminal transmission of guilt
but he did set them as cornerstones in his "system," matching them with a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/confessions and enchiridion/introduction.htm

Carey as an Educator --The First Christian College in the East
... As planned by Carey in 1793, the constitution had founded the enterprise on these
three corner-stones"preaching the Gospel in the mother tongue of the people ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter xiv carey as an.htm

1 John 5:4-5. victory
... The atoning work of Christ FOR us, and the sanctifying work of the Holy Ghost WITHIN
US, are the two corner-stones of saving religion Surely a truth which the ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter viii 1 john 5 4-5.htm

Psalm 144
... that works deceitfully. ^12That, as the plants, our sons may be. in youth grown
up that are; Our daughters like to corner-stones,. carv'd like a palace fair. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 144.htm

Whether, Since it is Evident that Deity is not to be Found in the ...
... overseers, certainly the rest are not rejected, since all good Christians are
deservedly called elect; in the erection of a building corner-stones are elected ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 1 whether since it is.htm

Letter vii. Tact --Unobtrusiveness.
... such obtrusiveness must be done away with before we shall be able to realize the
prayer of David, "that our daughters may be like corner-stones, polished after ...
/.../letter vii tactunobtrusiveness.htm

The Pilgrim Fathers.
... the asylum of the oppressed, and it increased and prospered until its foundation
principles"civil and religious liberty"became the corner-stones of the ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /16 the pilgrim fathers.htm

The Pilgrim Fathers
... the asylum of the oppressed, and it increased and prospered until its foundation
principles"civil and religious liberty"became the cornerstones of the ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 16 the pilgrim fathers.htm

Cornerstones (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Cornerstones (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 19:13 The
princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are ...
/c/cornerstones.htm - 6k

Corner-stones (2 Occurrences)
Corner-stones. Cornerstones, Corner-stones. Cornet . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(DBY). Cornerstones, Corner-stones. Cornet . Reference Bible.
/c/corner-stones.htm - 7k

Corner-stone (10 Occurrences)
... Cornerstone, Corner-stone. Cornerstones . Int. ... by Pusey under Zechariah 4:7). It
is probable that we should read in Psalm 144:12 not "corner-stones," but "corner ...
/c/corner-stone.htm - 13k

Cornet (8 Occurrences)

/c/cornet.htm - 11k

Corner (60 Occurrences)
... 2); katheph, "shoulder" (2 Kings 11:11 the King James Version, twice); pa`am, "foot"
(Exodus 25:12 the King James Version); zawiyoth, "corner-stones" (Psalm 144 ...
/c/corner.htm - 33k

Polished (23 Occurrences)
... Psalms 144:12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our
daughters may be as cornerstones, polished after the similitude of a palace ...
/p/polished.htm - 13k

Corner-pillars (1 Occurrence)
... Psalms 144:12 When our sons shall be as plants grown up in their youth, And our
daughters as corner-stones hewn after the fashion of a palace; (See JPS). ...
/c/corner-pillars.htm - 6k

Cornerstone (13 Occurrences)
... suggested by Psalm 118:22 (Midrash quoted by Pusey under Zechariah 4:7). It is probable
that we should read in Psalm 144:12 not "corner-stones," but "corner ...
/c/cornerstone.htm - 14k

Similitude (18 Occurrences)
... Psalms 144:12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our
daughters may be as cornerstones, polished after the similitude of a palace ...
/s/similitude.htm - 13k

Hewn (32 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Psalms 144:12 When our sons shall be as plants grown up in their youth, And
our daughters as corner-stones hewn after the fashion of a palace; (ASV YLT). ...
/h/hewn.htm - 16k

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