In the Bible, architecture is often used figuratively to convey spiritual truths and divine principles. The imagery of construction, buildings, and structures serves as a powerful metaphor for God's work in creation, the establishment of His covenant, and the spiritual growth of believers.

The Foundation and Cornerstone

The concept of a foundation is central in biblical architecture, symbolizing stability and permanence. In 1 Corinthians 3:11, Paul writes, "For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." Here, Christ is depicted as the essential foundation upon which the faith of believers is built. Similarly, Ephesians 2:20 describes believers as being "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone." The cornerstone is the first stone set in the construction of a building, ensuring the structure's alignment and integrity. This imagery emphasizes Christ's role as the essential and unifying element in the spiritual edifice of the Church.

The Temple of God

The temple is another significant architectural metaphor in Scripture. In the Old Testament, the physical temple in Jerusalem was the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. In the New Testament, this imagery is expanded to describe the Church and individual believers. 1 Corinthians 3:16 states, "Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?" This metaphor highlights the sanctity and indwelling presence of God within the believer, underscoring the call to holiness and spiritual purity.

The House Built on the Rock

Jesus uses the metaphor of building a house to illustrate the importance of obedience to His teachings. In Matthew 7:24-25, He says, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock." This parable contrasts the stability of a life founded on Christ's words with the instability of one built on anything else, emphasizing the necessity of a firm spiritual foundation.

The Spiritual House

Peter expands on the architectural metaphor by describing believers as "living stones" in a spiritual house. In 1 Peter 2:5, he writes, "You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." This imagery conveys the idea of a dynamic and growing community of faith, where each believer plays a vital role in the structure and function of the Church.

The City of God

The imagery of a city is also used to depict the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Hebrews 11:10 speaks of Abraham looking forward to "the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." This city represents the heavenly Jerusalem, the eternal dwelling place of God with His people. Revelation 21:2 describes the New Jerusalem as "coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." This vision of the city symbolizes the consummation of God's kingdom and the perfect union of God and His people.

In these and other passages, the Bible uses architectural imagery to communicate profound spiritual truths, illustrating the nature of God's work in the world and in the lives of His people.Ephesians 2:21,22
In whom all the building fitly framed together grows to an holy temple in the Lord:
Nave's Topical Index

After Christ: with Christ
... imitate that in its effects, except in a very secondary and figurative fashion. ... of
a 'house not made with hands,' and yet conformed in its architecture to the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/after christ with christ.htm

The Leaven.
... as far as I know, the different and opposite figurative significations of ... may be
seen everywhere throughout Europe, in the architecture, sculpture, paintings ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/iv the leaven.htm

Jesus at Capernaum.
... The Jews not having any architecture of their own, never cared to give ... for deified
men or for demons, would consider all these figurative representations as ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter viii jesus at capernaum.htm

The Cleansing of the Temple - the Sign,' which is not a Sign.
... No wonder that, in the figurative language of the Talmud, the Temple is ... Temple' merely
as a building, of which they fully know the architecture, manner, and ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v the cleansing of.htm

Christianity Misunderstood by Believers.
... Even if all these phrases ought to be interpreted in a figurative sense and are ... Every
art, from architecture to poetry, is brought into requisition to work its ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter iii christianity misunderstood by.htm

The First Epistle of St. Peter
... The metaphor is abruptly changed, from child-life to architecture, but there is
no change in the thought: all depends upon Christians availing themselves of ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the first epistle of st.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... AND A. SKETCH OF HIS LIFE, TIMES, AND CONTEMPORARIES. VOLUME THIRD. ALLEGORICAL,
FIGURATIVE, AND SYMBOLICAL. EDITED BY. GEORGE OFFOR, ESQ. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm

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Architecture: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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