Definition and Concept
Upbuilding refers to the process of edification, strengthening, and encouraging individuals or the community of believers in their faith and spiritual life. It involves actions, words, and attitudes that contribute to the growth and maturity of Christians, both individually and collectively. The concept of upbuilding is deeply rooted in the New Testament, where it is often associated with the work of the Holy Spirit, the ministry of the church, and the mutual encouragement among believers.

Biblical References
The term "upbuilding" is closely related to the Greek word "oikodomē," which is often translated as "edification" or "building up." This concept is frequently mentioned in the epistles of the Apostle Paul, who emphasizes the importance of edifying the church.

1. 1 Corinthians 14:12 · "So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church."
Here, Paul encourages the Corinthian believers to seek spiritual gifts that contribute to the upbuilding of the church, highlighting the communal aspect of spiritual growth.

2. Ephesians 4:11-12 · "And He 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."
This passage underscores the role of church leaders in equipping believers for service and fostering the spiritual growth of the entire body of Christ.

3. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 · "Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing."
Paul exhorts the Thessalonian church to continue in their practice of mutual encouragement and upbuilding, reinforcing the idea that every believer has a role in the spiritual development of others.

The Role of Love and Unity
Upbuilding is closely linked with love and unity within the Christian community. Love is the foundation upon which true edification is built, as it seeks the well-being and growth of others.

· 1 Corinthians 8:1 · "Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up."
Paul contrasts knowledge, which can lead to pride, with love, which genuinely builds up others. This highlights the importance of love as the driving force behind upbuilding.

· Ephesians 4:15-16 · "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head. From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
The unity and growth of the church are achieved through love and truth, with each member contributing to the upbuilding of the body.

Practical Application
Upbuilding involves practical actions and attitudes that promote spiritual growth and maturity. This includes:

· Encouragement and Exhortation: Believers are called to encourage one another, offering support and motivation to persevere in faith (Hebrews 10:24-25).

· Teaching and Instruction: Sound teaching and doctrinal instruction are vital for the upbuilding of the church, ensuring that believers are grounded in truth (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

· Service and Ministry: Engaging in acts of service and ministry not only benefits others but also contributes to personal spiritual growth and the strengthening of the church community (1 Peter 4:10-11).

· Prayer and Worship: Corporate prayer and worship are essential for fostering a sense of unity and dependence on God, leading to the spiritual upbuilding of the congregation (Acts 2:42-47).

Conclusion
The concept of upbuilding is integral to the life of the church and the individual believer. It encompasses a range of activities and attitudes that contribute to spiritual growth, unity, and maturity in Christ. Through love, encouragement, and the exercise of spiritual gifts, believers are called to actively participate in the upbuilding of one another and the body of Christ as a whole.3619. oikodome -- (the act of) building, a building
... and the same as doma Definition (the act of) building, a building NASB Word Usage
building (8), buildings (3), edification (5), edifying (1), upbuilding (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3619.htm - 7k

xxxvi.
... different purpose. The work of grace is for our own salvation, joy, and
upbuilding; the charismata are given us for others. The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxvi.htm

Pastoral and Personal
... The Purpose.+"Paul shows here his care for the churches, their upbuilding in the
faith and their proper regulation of the things that pertain to worship and ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study x pastoral and personal.htm

Elisha's Closing Ministry
... So long as Elisha was able to journey from place to place throughout the kingdom
of Israel, he continued to take an active interest in the upbuilding of the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 21 elishas closing ministry.htm

Preface
... They should also be helpful to others who, tho not preachers, yet seek reading of
this kind for the upbuilding of personal character and for strengthening ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the worlds great sermons volume i/preface.htm

Foreword
... May God bless it to many hearts and use it for the upbuilding and strengthening
of Christian character through the length and breadth of the land. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the essentials of prayer/foreword.htm

The Christian's God
... Right Conceptions of God are necessary for the true worship of the Almighty, for
the exercise of proper conduct to our fellow men and for the upbuilding of our ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study ii the christians god.htm

The Right to Live with the People of My Choice
... be my fellow worker, my companion in recreation, the one who spends time with me
at the Throne of Grace, pleading for souls, and for the upbuilding of God's ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/williamson/have we no rights/chapter 9 the right to.htm

Brorson's Swan-Song
... He was, we are told, as happy as a child when he found pastors and their people
working faithfully together for the upbuilding of the kingdom. ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter ten brorsons swan-song.htm

The Note of Edification.
... The preacher is appointed for the upbuilding of the Church and of the individual
believer upon "the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ ...
/.../jackson/the message and the man/chapter iv the note of.htm

Work Development
... And some evangelists, And some shepherds and teachers," With a view to the fitting
of the saints For the work of ministering, For an upbuilding of the body ...
/.../the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter viii work development.htm

Upbuilding (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Upbuilding (3 Occurrences). Romans 14:19 Therefore let
us aim at whatever makes for peace and mutual upbuilding of character. ...
/u/upbuilding.htm - 7k

Kingly (7 Occurrences)
... for it is given to him by the Father as the reward of his obedience and sufferings
(Philippians 2:6-11), and has as its especial object the upbuilding and the ...
/k/kingly.htm - 10k

Up-building (1 Occurrence)
Up-building. Upbuilding, Up-building. Upbuilds . Multi-Version Concordance
Up-building (1 Occurrence). ... Upbuilding, Up-building. Upbuilds . Reference Bible
/u/up-building.htm - 6k

Upbraiding (2 Occurrences)

/u/upbraiding.htm - 7k

Mutual (7 Occurrences)
... of Law. (WEY). Romans 14:19 Therefore let us aim at whatever makes for
peace and mutual upbuilding of character. (WEY RSV NIV). 1 ...
/m/mutual.htm - 8k

Character (27 Occurrences)
... NAS RSV NIV). Romans 14:19 Therefore let us aim at whatever makes for peace
and mutual upbuilding of character. (WEY). 1 Corinthians ...
/c/character.htm - 16k

Aim (17 Occurrences)
... To Him be the glory throughout the Ages! Amen. (WEY). Romans 14:19 Therefore let
us aim at whatever makes for peace and mutual upbuilding of character. (WEY). ...
/a/aim.htm - 12k

Jehoiachin (20 Occurrences)
... prophetic hopes are identified appears in his parable of the Good and Bad Figs
(Jeremiah 24), in which he predicts spiritual integrity and upbuilding to the ...
/j/jehoiachin.htm - 19k

Makes (483 Occurrences)
... complete. (BBE). Romans 14:19 Therefore let us aim at whatever makes for
peace and mutual upbuilding of character. (WEY RSV). Romans ...
/m/makes.htm - 34k

Building (249 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Romans 14:19 Therefore let us aim at whatever makes for peace and
mutual upbuilding of character. (Root in WEY YLT NAS RSV). ...
/b/building.htm - 47k

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