Edification - To Build Up

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Edification is the Greek word oikodome or oikodomeo.

Oikodome comes from the root words: oikos meaning house; and doma meaning rooftop. It is a figurative word which means "to build up to the roof" or simply "to build up."

Corrupt is the Greek word sapros which means rotten.
Communication is the Greek word logos which means words.

In Matthew 7:17-18 the word sapros is used of a rotten tree that produces hurtful fruit. As believers we are not to let rotten words that are hurtful to other believers proceed out of our mouths. Rather we are to speak words that build each other up and minister grace to the hearers.


Edification of the Church

Speaking In Tongues is one of three speaking manifestations of holy spirit which God has made available to those born again believers for the expressed purpose of edification.
Speaking in tongues builds up the individual believer and is an important aspect of walking according to the Word of God. However, when fellowshipping with the church (ekklesia - the called out) edification of others is the primary responsibility of the believer.

Speaking In Tongues with Interpretation is a speaking manifestation of holy spirit that God has made available to each believer for edification of the church. Tongues with Interpretation edifys the other believers because an edifying message from God is delivered to the church (called out) in their own language and is thus understood.

Prophecy is a speaking manifestation of holy spirit that God has made available to each believer for edification of the church. Like Tongues with Interpretation, Prophecy edifys the other believers because an edifying message from God is delivered to the church (called out) in their own language and is thus understood.


Actions that Edify

In Romans and Corinthians the Word of God presents doctrine and reproof regarding our liberty in Christ. We have the freedom to act in a variety of ways, but our actions should be focused on those things which build each other up in the Word and that "no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way."


Ministries to Edify the Body of Christ

Ephesians 4:8-12 ...When he (Jesus Christ) ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men....And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints (the believers), for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Ministries are gifts to the church (the body of Christ) given to build it up. Paul had the ministry of an Apostle and the power or authority that goes with that responsibility. Paul had been given that authority for the expressed purpose of edification. Ministries are set in the church to build it up - not to tear it down.


In Summary

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Home Page

Published to the Web July 1996
URL http://www.cortright.org/edify.htm
Michael Cortright