What is edification?
Introduction. The Greek noun translated edification is oikodome. This is a compound word made up of, oikos, a house, and demo, to build. Oikodome is "only used figuratively in the New Testament, in the sense of edification, the promotion of spiritual growth" (Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, by W. E. Vine). Part of, perhaps the primary, work God has enjoined on the local church is that of building up the saints (Eph. 4: 11-16).
The Christian is exhorted to grow. When one becomes a Christian, one is a "babe" (1 Pet. 2: 2). He is to "desire the sincere milk of the word, that he may grow thereby" (Ibid.). Growth is an individual responsibility. "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing," Paul exhorts, "being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Col. 1: 10, 11). As one grows and has time, one is to begin using solid food (Heb. 5: 11-14). To fail to grow is a sin and a common cause of falling away (Heb. 5: 11-14, 2 Pet. 1: 5-11).
The church and edification. One of the main purposes of the assembly is the edification of the members. In the assembly climate, Paul wrote "Let all things be done unto edifying" (1 Cor. 14: 26). The chapter is replete with references to the edification or building up of those present (vs. 4, 5, 9, 12). This is why the "whole church be come together into one place" (vs. 23). In view of the importance of coming together to worship and be edified, Christians are not to forsake the assembling of themselves together (Heb. 10: 25).
The preaching of the gospel is designed to promote growth and avoid apostasy (2 Tim. 4: 2 ff., 2 Cor. 10: 8). Edification is also achieved through the distributive actions of each Christian in the assembly (Eph. 4: 16). Notice, "every joint supplieth...unto the edifying of itself in love." Moreover, Christians are expressly told to "edify one another" (1 Thes. 5: 11).
The Christian is exhorted to grow. When one becomes a Christian, one is a "babe" (1 Pet. 2: 2). He is to "desire the sincere milk of the word, that he may grow thereby" (Ibid.). Growth is an individual responsibility. "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing," Paul exhorts, "being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Col. 1: 10, 11). As one grows and has time, one is to begin using solid food (Heb. 5: 11-14). To fail to grow is a sin and a common cause of falling away (Heb. 5: 11-14, 2 Pet. 1: 5-11).
The church and edification. One of the main purposes of the assembly is the edification of the members. In the assembly climate, Paul wrote "Let all things be done unto edifying" (1 Cor. 14: 26). The chapter is replete with references to the edification or building up of those present (vs. 4, 5, 9, 12). This is why the "whole church be come together into one place" (vs. 23). In view of the importance of coming together to worship and be edified, Christians are not to forsake the assembling of themselves together (Heb. 10: 25).
The preaching of the gospel is designed to promote growth and avoid apostasy (2 Tim. 4: 2 ff., 2 Cor. 10: 8). Edification is also achieved through the distributive actions of each Christian in the assembly (Eph. 4: 16). Notice, "every joint supplieth...unto the edifying of itself in love." Moreover, Christians are expressly told to "edify one another" (1 Thes. 5: 11).