What is “Ekklésia”?

The Greek word “Ekklésia” is translated into our English word “Church”.  “Ekklésia” refers to the universal body of believers whom God calls out from the world into His eternal Kingdom[1]. It also refers to brothers and sisters in Christ, those belonging to and following Jesus, who are called out from their homes into a public gathering[2].  The church is made up of local bodies of believers who gather to meet.  Each of these local bodies of believers make up the universal church, the larger Body of Christ. 

“And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1:22)

I have so often thought of the church as being an institution or a building but the church is actually the Body of Christ.  When I view the church as Christ’s body, I desire to be apart of it, to strengthen and encourage it and to take care of it.  When I decided to become a follower of Jesus, I didn’t just become an individual son of God or the only bride of Christ, I became a part of the larger body of Christ, a joint of supply (Ephesians 4:16).

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another… even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.  But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” (Colossians 3:12)

As the Body of Christ, it is critical that we love, honor, teach and admonish one another.  The Body of Christ is such a beautiful display of God’s nature, character and glory.  We are called not only as individual image bearers but also as a corporate body; to display what God is like to the world around us.  Just as we must love, nourish and care for our individual bodies, so we must love, nourish and care for Christ’s body, His church.  The only way we can walk in love for His body is to look to and love the Head of the Body.  Christ is the only answer to true love, unity and light flooding His body.  As we gaze at God, we will fall more in love with Him and will fall more in love with each other.  “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”[3]

[1] Bible Hub by Biblos, "1557. Ekklésia" HelpsWord-studies
http://biblesuite.com/greek/1577.htm (accessed September 29th, 2013)
[2] Bible Hub by Biblos, "1557. Ekklésia" Thayer's Greek Lexicon
http://biblesuite.com/greek/1577.htm (accessed September 29th, 2013) 
[3] John 13:35 (New King James Version)