Definition and Etymology:
The term "edify" originates from the Latin word "aedificare," which means "to build" or "to construct." In a biblical context, edification refers to the spiritual building up or strengthening of individuals or the church community. It involves promoting growth in Christian knowledge, faith, and holiness.

Biblical Usage:
In the New Testament, the concept of edification is frequently associated with the growth and strengthening of the church body and individual believers. The Apostle Paul often emphasizes the importance of edification in his epistles, highlighting it as a key purpose of Christian ministry and fellowship.

Key Scriptures:

1. 1 Corinthians 14:26 :
"What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up."

This verse underscores the purpose of spiritual gifts and activities within the church: to edify or build up the congregation. Paul stresses that all contributions in a worship setting should aim to strengthen the church.

2. Ephesians 4:11-12 :
"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."

Here, Paul explains that the various roles within the church are given by Christ to equip believers for service and to edify the body of Christ. The ultimate goal is the spiritual maturity and unity of the church.

3. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 :
"Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing."

Paul encourages the Thessalonian believers to continue in their efforts to edify one another. This mutual encouragement and building up is a vital aspect of Christian community life.

Theological Significance:
Edification is a central theme in Christian theology, reflecting the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in believers' lives. It involves both individual and communal aspects, as believers are called to grow in their personal faith and contribute to the spiritual growth of others. The process of edification is closely linked to discipleship, teaching, and the exercise of spiritual gifts.

Practical Application:
In practical terms, edification can take many forms, including teaching, preaching, fellowship, prayer, and acts of service. Believers are encouraged to engage in activities that promote spiritual growth and maturity, both in themselves and in others. This can involve studying Scripture, participating in small groups, and using one's spiritual gifts to serve the church community.

Conclusion:
While the Bible does not provide a single, exhaustive definition of edification, the concept is woven throughout the New Testament as a vital component of Christian life and community. Believers are called to actively participate in the edification of the church, contributing to its growth and unity in love and truth.1. (v. i.) To build up; to strengthen; to instruct, especially in morals or religion.

2. (v. i.) To instruct and improve, especially in moral and religious knowledge; to teach.

3. (v. i.) To teach or persuade.

4. (v. i.) To improve.

EDIFICATION; EDIFY

ed-i-fi-ka'-shun, ed'-i-fi:

The Greek words oikodomeo, "to build," oikodome, "the act of building," are used both literally and figuratively in the New Testament; "edify," "edifying," "edification," are the translation of the King James Version in some 20 passages, all in the figurative sense of the promotion of growth in Christian character. the Revised Version (British and American) in 2 Corinthians 10:8; 2 Corinthians 13:10 Ephesians 4:12, 16 1 Thessalonians 5:11 renders "build up," "building up," making the force of the figure clearer to the English reader. In 1 Timothy 1:4 the Greek text followed by the Revised Version (British and American) has oikonomia, "dispensation," instead of oikodomia, "edifying" (the King James Version).

F. K. Farr

3618. oikodomeo -- to build a house
... to build a house. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: oikodomeo Phonetic Spelling:
(oy-kod-om-eh'-o) Short Definition: I build, build up, edify Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3618.htm - 9k

5486. charisma -- a gift of grace, a free gift
... Cognate: 5486 (from "grace," 5485 ) -- properly, the operation of (divine ), ie
a to edify the Church (note the suffix, focusing on the of the endowment of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5486.htm - 7k

2026. epoikodomeo -- to build upon
... 2026 (from 1909 , "apt, fitting ," which intensifies 3618 , "to build up, edify") --
properly, build on, following a with () specifications. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2026.htm - 7k

3619. oikodome -- (the act of) building, a building
... abstract) of a compound of oikos and the base of doma; architecture, ie (concretely)
a structure; figuratively, confirmation -- building, edify(-ication, -ing ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3619.htm - 7k

Heretics Work to Pull Down and to Destroy, not to Edify and ...
... Chapter XLII."Heretics Work to Pull Down and to Destroy, Not to Edify and Elevate
Heretics Do Not Adhere Even to Their Own Traditions, But Harbour Dissent ...
/.../the prescription against heretics/chapter xlii heretics work to pull.htm

1 Cor. Ix. 1
... Not because they would otherwise be made to stumble, but because his not receiving
would edify them [101] : a much greater thing for him to do. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxi 1 cor ix.htm

Rom. xiv. 14
... will. Ver.19. "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace,
and things wherewith one may edify one another.". This ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxvi rom xiv 14.htm

Hebrews xii. 13-Nov
... Do not then cast all [the burden] on your teachers; do not [cast] all upon them
who have the rule over you: ye also (he means) are able to edify one another. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxx hebrews xii 13-nov.htm

Three Good Reasons for Abstaining from Certain Kinds of Food.
... Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things whereby
one may edify another. For meat destroys not the work of God. ...
/.../chapter 14 name good reasons.htm

A Continuation of Mr Bunyan's Life; Beginning Where He Left Off ...
... a meeting- house, to which they made their voluntary contributions with all
cheerfulness and alacrity; and the first time he appeared there to edify, the place ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/a continuation of mr bunyans.htm

1 Cor. x. 13
... Ver.23, 24. "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient:
all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxiv 1 cor x.htm

The Dispensation of the Spirit.
... measure was love, charity. The apostle considered that gift most desirable
by which men might most edify one another. And hence that ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/iii the dispensation of the.htm

Introduction
... it with unwearied diligence; he was a master in it; but he laid all the surprising
treasures of his learning at the foot of the cross." To edify the members of ...
/.../the epistle of paul to the philippians practically explained/introduction.htm

Introduction
... He had no other object in view than to edify his congregation and to lead it to
Christ when, in 1517, he published his first independent work, the Explanation ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/a treatise on good works/introduction.htm

Edify (5 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To teach or persuade. 4. (vi) To improve. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
EDIFICATION; EDIFY. ... FK Farr. Multi-Version Concordance Edify (5 Occurrences). ...
/e/edify.htm - 9k

Edifying (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Edify. 2. (a.) Instructing; improving;
as, an edifying conversation. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/e/edifying.htm - 9k

Edification (10 Occurrences)
... spiritual improvement; instruction. 2. (n.) A building or edifice. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EDIFICATION; EDIFY. ed-i-fi-ka ...
/e/edification.htm - 10k

Prophesying (58 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 14:4 he who is speaking in an 'unknown' tongue, himself doth edify,
and he who is prophesying, an assembly doth edify; (YLT). ...
/p/prophesying.htm - 25k

Wherewith (182 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV). Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make
for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. (KJV). ...
/w/wherewith.htm - 38k

Whereby (46 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY). Romans 14:19 So then let us follow after things which make for
peace, and things whereby we may edify one another. (ASV DBY). ...
/w/whereby.htm - 20k

Edifieth (2 Occurrences)

/e/edifieth.htm - 6k

Expedient (8 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV WBS). 1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things
are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. ...
/e/expedient.htm - 10k

Comfort (130 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV). 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves
together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. (KJV BBE WBS YLT). ...
/c/comfort.htm - 37k

Why is edification important in the life of a Christian? | GotQuestions.org

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Edify: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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