The Bible refers to Jesus Christ as the cornerstone in several passages, indicating His importance and role in God’s plan of salvation for humanity. Here is an explanation of the significance of Jesus Christ being described as the cornerstone.
1. Christ as the foundation of the church
Several verses use the imagery of a building or temple to illustrate how Christ is the bedrock on which the church is built.
Ephesians 2:19-22 states: “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”
Here Paul describes how the church forms the temple of God, with Christ as the foundational cornerstone. The imagery highlights how Christ provides stability and alignment for the rest of the building. Just as the cornerstone set the pattern and position for a physical building, Jesus provides the basis on which the church takes shape and direction.
A similar metaphor is used in 1 Peter 2:4-8: “As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’ So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,’ and ‘A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.’”
Here Peter describes how Christ is the living stone that provides the structure for the spiritual house of the church. Those who accept Christ are also like living stones built upon Him. But for those who reject Him, He becomes a stumbling stone instead. This firmly establishes Christ’s role as the cornerstone of the church.
2. Christ as the foundation of salvation
In addition to being the bedrock of the church, Christ as the cornerstone also signifies how He provides the basis on which the entire plan of salvation rests.
Isaiah 28:16 declares: “Therefore thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’”
This prophecy points to how God promised to lay a cornerstone in Zion, referring to the coming of Jesus Christ. Christ is the cornerstone of salvation because the possibility of redemption relies completely on His sacrificial death and resurrection. He provides the secure foundation on which salvation can be built.
Romans 9:30-33 further explains: “What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written, ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’”
Paul contrasts those who stumble over Christ as the cornerstone with those who accept Him by faith as the foundation of righteousness. Jesus is the rock on which salvation rests, but also causes offense for those trying to attain righteousness through the law instead of faith in Him. This establishes Christ’s unique role as the basis for salvation.
3. Christ as the unifier of Jews and Gentiles
Another significant meaning of Christ as the cornerstone is how He breaks down barriers and provides a unifying foundation between Jews and Gentiles.
Ephesians 2:11-14 touches on this symbolism: “Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh…were separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.”
Christ abolished the division between Jews and Gentiles by providing a shared cornerstone of faith. Through Him both groups are reconciled to God and united as one body of believers.
The imagery of Christ as cornerstone illustrates how Jesus fulfills several important roles according to God’s redemptive plan. He provides the structure and alignment for the church, the essential basis for salvation through faith alone, and the unifying foundation bringing Jews and Gentiles together in one body. He is the rock on which the new covenant of God rests securely. Understanding Christ as the cornerstone helps highlight His central significance in the Bible’s overarching narrative of redemption and reconciliation.
4. Christ as the ruler of God’s eternal kingdom
Christ being described as the cornerstone also points to His position as the ruler and foundation of God’s eternal kingdom.
In Daniel 2, Daniel interprets King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream involving a statue made of different materials being struck down by a stone. Daniel explains that each part of the statue represents the succession of human kingdoms, while the stone depicts the kingdom established by God:
“In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands—a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces” (Daniel 2:44-45).
The imagery of the rock destroying the statue and becoming a great mountain indicates Christ’s kingdom surpassing and enduring beyond all others. As the cornerstone of God’s eternal kingdom, Jesus is set to rule forever.
Psalm 118:22 also connects Christ to the cornerstone metaphor: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” This points to the surprising way in which Christ, despite being despised by human rulers, became the foundation of God’s kingdom.
Isaiah prophesied about the establishment of Christ’s rule on the throne of David: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this” (Isaiah 9:6-7).
As the rightful and eternal heir to David’s throne, Jesus ascended to heaven and sat down at the right hand of God following His resurrection (Mark 16:19). The cornerstone of God’s kingdom rule has been laid in Christ.
5. Christ as the standard of judgment
The Bible also uses the metaphor of Christ as cornerstone in reference to the standard by which God will judge everyone.
Romans 14:9-12 declares: “For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.”
Because Christ is Lord of all and we will stand before Him in judgment, we ought to avoid judging others or treating them with contempt over matters of conscience and disputable matters. The example of the strong and weak in faith in Romans 14 reinforces Christ’s cornerstone role in judgment, as our evaluation of fellow believers must be anchored in His standards rather than our own opinions.
Additionally, 1 Peter 2:6 states: “For it stands in Scripture: ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’” Those who trust in Christ as their cornerstone foundation will not be put to shame at judgment, but unbelievers will stumble over Him to their ruin (1 Peter 2:7-8).
How we respond to Christ determines our eternal destiny. The Bible’s metaphor of Christ as cornerstone highlights how acceptance or rejection of Him decides salvation versus destruction. Our alignment to the cornerstone forms the basis of God’s evaluation.
6. Christ as the rejected stone becoming the capstone
A final aspect of the cornerstone image involves Christ transforming from a rejected stone into the capstone or keystone at the top of God’s building.
Psalm 118:22 prophesies this surprising reversal: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” Human builders despised the stone destined to be the cornerstone. But God exalted Christ to the highest position despite being despised and crucified.
Jesus quoted this Psalm when challenging the Jewish religious leaders who rejected Him as Messiah (Matthew 21:42). Their plans to construct a righteous kingdom centered on their understanding of the law did not align with God’s blueprint with Christ as the cornerstone. By rejecting Him, they discarded the very foundation of God’s true kingdom.
Christ also alluded to Himself as the stone the builders rejected when telling the parable of the wicked tenants (Matthew 21:33-46). In this story, the master’s son represents Christ being scorned and killed by the tenants, picturing the Jewish leaders who rejected Him. Yet Jesus was vindicated when God raised Him from the dead and seated Him in power and authority over all.
Ephesians 2:20-22 incorporates this capstone understanding: “Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”
Though rejected by human builders intent on constructing their own religious edifices, Christ forms the supreme capstone of God’s glorious temple. United with Him, believers are being built together into God’s holy habitation.
The cornerstone metaphor encapsulates Christ’s identity in God’s plan. Despite enduring rejection and crucifixion, He became the foundation for the church, the basis for salvation, the unifier of Jews and Gentiles, the eternal king of God’s kingdom, the standard of judgment for all people, and the exalted capstone adorning God’s magnificent temple.
Conclusion
The rich cornerstone imagery found throughout Scripture highlights the preeminent position and multi-faceted role of Christ. As the cornerstone, Jesus provides the indispensable foundation for the spiritual house of the church. He offers the only sure basis for salvation through faith in Him. Christ removes divisions between believers and unites them into one body. He establishes God’s eternal kingdom and reigns as its undisputed ruler. All people will one day face judgment on the standard set by this cornerstone. And amazingly, the very stone discarded by human builders has become the exalted, precious capstone gracing God’s magnificent temple. The Bible’s cornerstone metaphor encapsulates Christ’s indispensable identity and work, urging us to align our lives by this touchstone.