The term "edified" in the context of the Bible refers to the act of building up, strengthening, or improving someone spiritually or morally. It is derived from the Greek word "oikodomeo," which literally means to build a house or structure. In the New Testament, this concept is frequently used metaphorically to describe the spiritual growth and strengthening of believers in their faith and community.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Spiritual Growth and Encouragement: The Apostle Paul often emphasizes the importance of edification within the church. In 1 Corinthians 14:26 , Paul writes, "What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church." Here, the focus is on the collective edification of the church body through the use of spiritual gifts.

2. Unity and Love: Edification is closely linked with the concepts of unity and love among believers. In Ephesians 4:11-12 , Paul explains, "And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ." The purpose of these roles is to foster unity and maturity in the faith, contributing to the overall edification of the church.

3. Personal Conduct and Speech: Believers are encouraged to engage in behaviors and speech that edify others. Ephesians 4:29 instructs, "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen." This highlights the importance of using words that encourage and strengthen others in their faith journey.

4. Mutual Edification: The New Testament also stresses the reciprocal nature of edification among believers. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11 , Paul exhorts, "Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing." This mutual edification is a hallmark of a healthy Christian community, where members support and uplift each other.

5. Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the process of edification. In Jude 1:20 , believers are encouraged to "build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit." The Spirit empowers and guides believers, facilitating their growth and strengthening in the faith.

Theological Significance

Edification is a central theme in Christian theology, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel in the lives of believers. It underscores the importance of community, where each member contributes to the spiritual growth and well-being of others. Through edification, believers are equipped to live out their faith, serve one another, and advance the mission of the church. The process of being edified is ongoing, as believers continually seek to grow in their relationship with God and with each other, striving to reflect the character of Christ in their lives.(imp. & p. p.) of Edify.3618. oikodomeo -- to build a house
... Word Origin from oikodomos Definition to build a house NASB Word Usage build (13),
builders (4), building (2), built (10), edified (1), edifies (3), edify (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3618.htm - 9k

A Bird's-Eye view of the Early Church
... 'So the Church throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified;
and, walking in the fear of ... 'Then had the Church rest, and was edified.'. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/a birds-eye view of the.htm

Occasion of the Epistle.
... desire, and I implore God, who enables us both to speak and to hear, to grant to
me so to speak, that, above all, I may hear you have been edified, [266] and ...
/.../the epistle of mathetes to diognetus/chapter i occasion of the epistle.htm

You Observe How New and Terrible a Form of Oath this is which He ...
... Even in the works which he addresses to girls and weak women, who desire, as is
right, only to be edified by teaching out of our Scriptures, he weaves in ...
/.../7 you observe how new.htm

John vi. 41, 42
... Here one might reasonably enquire, how this was a fit season for these words, which
neither edified nor profited, but rather did mischief to those who had been ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xlvi john vi 41.htm

The History of Solomon
... I have sanctified and hallowed this house that thou hast edified for to put my name
therein for evermore, and my eyes and heart shall be thereon always. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of solomon.htm

On Singing and Music.
... they were led to utter words of prayer or praise to the Almighty, or exhortation
to their fellow believers; they were comforted or edified in proportion as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/on singing and music/on singing and music.htm

The Blood of Sprinkling (Second Sermon. )
... as this before us, we shall be nothing profited; but if he will show these choice
truths unto us, we shall be comforted, quickened, edified, and sanctified by ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the blood of sprinkling second.htm

Internal Evidence Goes Far to Establish the Credit which Eusebius ...
... days "for the testimony of Jesus," and in order to hand down the knowledge of the
Gospel to these boastful ages of our own, I confess myself edified by what I ...
/.../smyrna/the martyrdom of the holy polycarp/internal evidence goes far to.htm

From the Fourth Chapter.
... For John was of the circumcision, and all that people which had heard the
announcement of the Old Testament was edified with his word. ...
/.../commentary on the apocolypse of the blessed john/from the fourth chapter.htm

the Manner of this Oversight
... who desire to know that they may edify others, and that is praiseworthy; and there
are some who desire to know that they themselves may be edified, and that is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 2 - the manner.htm

Edified (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Edified (3 Occurrences). ... (See RSV NIV). 1 Corinthians
14:17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. ...
/e/edified.htm - 7k

Edification (10 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of edifying, or the state of being edified; a building up, especially
in a moral or spiritual sense; moral, intellectual, or spiritual ...
/e/edification.htm - 10k

Givest (31 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Givest (31 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 14:17 For thou
verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. (KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/g/givest.htm - 15k

Edifies (2 Occurrences)

/e/edifies.htm - 6k

Churches (39 Occurrences)
... Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria,
and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort ...
/c/churches.htm - 20k

Judaea (45 Occurrences)
... Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria,
and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort ...
/j/judaea.htm - 24k

Tongues (67 Occurrences)
... his peace and speak to himself and to God, ie he must not disturb the worship by
giving voice to his ecstasy unless the whole assembly should be edified thereby ...
/t/tongues.htm - 61k

Ghost (123 Occurrences)
... Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria,
and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort ...
/g/ghost.htm - 39k

Gifts (144 Occurrences)
... in an unknown tongue addressed himself to God and not to men (14:2, 14) and was
not understood by those who heard him (14:2), that he edified himself (14:4 ...
/g/gifts.htm - 61k

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