Edification in the Bible
The word “edification” is found in the Bible, specifically in Ephesians 4:29. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” In other words, edification is building someone up – spiritually, emotionally, mentally, etc.
Definition of Edification
The word “edification” appears several times in the King James Version of the Bible. In every instance, the word is translated from the Greek word oikodome, which can be translated “building” or “structure.” When used in relation to people, oikodome can be translated “character” or “spiritual growth.” In short, edification is the process of growing in character and spiritual maturity.
Edification in the Old Testament
The word “edify” is used several times in the Old Testament, most often in the Prophets. In Micah 4:1-2, the Lord says that in the last days He will gather His people and they will live in peace and security. One of the things He will do to bring about this peaceful state is to “edify” or build up His people spiritually. In other words, God will help His people to grow in their relationship with Him and become more like Christ.
In Jeremiah 31:7-9, God says that He will gather His people from all over the world and bring them back to Israel. He will also “edify” them by giving them a new heart and a new Spirit. This new Spirit will cause them to obey God’s law and live according to His ways.
In Ezekiel 36:26-27, God says that when He gathers His people back to Israel, He will give them a new heart and put His Spirit within them. He will also “edify” or cleanse them from all their sinfulness. As a result, they will obey Him and live according to His laws.
All of these verses show that “edification” is something that God does for His people in order to help them grow spiritually and become more like Christ.
Edification in the New Testament
The Greek word oikodome (oiko- meaning “house,” and -dome meaning “build”) is used 19 times in the New Testament, most frequently in Paul’s epistles. The word first appears in Matthew 7:24-27, where Jesus says that those who build their houses upon the rock will be saved from destruction, but those who build on the sand will perish. The word oikodome is also used in 1 Corinthians 3:9-15, where Paul speaks of himself and Apollos as co-laborers who are working together to build up (or edify) the church. In Ephesians 4:11-16, Paul describes how Christ has given gifts to the church for the purpose of edification, and he exhorts believers to use their gifts to build up (edify) one another.
The concept of edification is also found in Romans 14:19; 15:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 10:24-25; and 1 Peter 2:5. In each of these passages, edification is connected with some aspect of Christian growth or maturity. For example, in Romans 14:19, Paul says that we should pursue things that lead to peace and mutual edification. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, he says that we should encourage one another and build each other up. And in Hebrews 10:24-25, he exhorts us to consider how we can spur one another on toward love and good deeds, so that we may not neglect or give up on meeting together (as some have done).
When we understand what it means to be “built up” or “edified” according to Scripture, it becomes clear that this is not something that can happen apart from relationship with other believers. We need one another if we are going to grow in our faith!
The Purpose of Edification
The word “edification” comes from the Latin word aedificare, which means “to build up.” When we talk about edification in the Bible, we are referring to the process of building up the body of Christ. This can be done in a number of ways, but the most common is through the teaching and preaching of the Word of God.
To Build Up the Body of Christ
The word “edification” comes from a Latin word meaning “to build.” In general, edification is the act of building up or improving something. When edification occurs within the context of the body of Christ, it refers to the process of improving ourselves and others spiritually.
As Christians, we are called to edify one another through our words and actions. We do this by acting in ways that build up the body of Christ and by speaking words that encourage and uplift others. When we edify one another, we help to create an environment in which everyone can grow in their relationship with God.
To Glorify God
The purpose of edification is to bring glory to God by making His name known and loved. It begins with an understanding that everything we do should give God glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). We then seek to exalt God in all areas of our lives including our thoughts, words, and actions. This requires effort and intentionality on our part, but it is worth it because God is worthy of our praise.
Edification also includes growing in our knowledge and love of God. This happens as we read His Word, pray, meditate on His truths, and obey His commands. As we draw near to God, He transforms us into His likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18). And the more we experience His goodness, the more our hearts will overflow with praise for Him.
The Importance of Edification
The Bible often speaks of the importance of edification. Edification is the act of building someone up. It is the act of improving morally or spiritually. When we edify others, we help them to grow in their relationship with God. We also help them to become better people.
Edification Leads to Maturity
Edification is the act of building up or improving something. When it comes to the spiritual life, edification is the process of growing in knowledge and maturity. As Christians, we are called to edify one another (Ephesians 4:29). This means that we are to help each other grow in our relationship with God.
There are many ways to edify others. We can do this through teaching, sharing our testimony, praying for one another, and encouraging one another. As we grow in our own relationship with God, we will naturally want to help others do the same. Edification is not a one-time event; it is a lifelong process.
One of the most important things we can do for others is to help them develop a daily devotional life. This means spending time alone with God every day, reading His Word and communicating with Him through prayer. A daily devotional life is essential for spiritual growth. It is impossible to mature spiritually without it.
If you are not currently doing daily devotions, I encourage you to start today. It will make a world of difference in your relationship with God. And as you grow in your own faith, you will be better equipped to help others do the same.
Edification Promotes Unity
One of the main purposes of edification is to promote unity within the body of Christ. This is done by teaching people the correct way to live according to Scripture. When people are unified in their understanding of what the Bible says, it creates peace and reduces division.
Edification also helps us to grow in our relationship with God. As we learn more about Him and His will for our lives, we are able to worship Him more fully and serve Him more obediently. This growing relationship gives us a greater desire to please God and live for His glory.
How to Edify Others
One of the most important things we can do as Christians is to edify others. Edification is defined as “the act of improving or promoting growth.” When we edify others, we are helping them to grow in their relationship with Christ. This can be done in many different ways, but one of the most important things to remember is that our motivation should always be love.
By Speaking the Truth in Love
The Bible tells us to edify one another. But what does that mean? To edify is to build up or improve. So how do we do that?
The answer is found in Ephesians 4:15, which says, “Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.”
This verse gives us two key principles for edifying others: speaking the truth and speaking in love. Let’s look at each of these more closely.
When we speak the truth, we are communicating what is real and right. We are not trying to hide anything or sugarcoat things. We are being honest about what is going on, even if it’s not pretty.
But we must always speak the truth in love. This means that our words are motivated by a genuine desire to help the other person grow and mature. We are not speaking just to hear ourselves talk or because we think we know better than they do. We want what is best for them, even if it’s not easy to hear.
If we can remember these two principles – speaking the truth and speaking in love – we will be well on our way to edifying others around us.
By Serving One Another
In order to edify others, we must first serve one another. Whether it’s through acts of kindness, service projects or simply lending a listening ear, serving others is the best way to show them that we care. When we take the time to put others first, we are showing them the love of Christ and setting an example for how they can do the same.
Conclusion
The Bible does not give a precise definition of “edification,” but the general idea is clear: edification is the process of building someone up, spiritually speaking. It can involve teaching, encouraging, and correcting others with the goal of helping them grow in their faith. Ultimately, edification is about helping people become more like Christ.