![[Jacques Home Page]](thumbnail/openbibleemitting65x53.jpg "[Jacques Home Page]")
![[Articles Directory]](thumbnail/prophet53x53.jpg "[Articles Directory]")
![[Blurbs Directory]](thumbnail/fruit53x53.jpg "[Blurbs Directory]")
![[Poetry Directory]](thumbnail/heart38x53.jpg "[Poetry Directory]")
To Edify Or To Build Up
I don^t know if it is just me or if it is a popular misconception but I thought that to edify meant to praise. Probably because of the God bless you^s and repeated flatteries that are often heard among would be saints. The dictionary reveals that to edify means to improve spiritually or morally by instruction or example. The word oikodome in Greek translated edify is also translated as build up, as in a building or house, such work as a carpenter might do. Jesus was a carpenter. So let us keep these things in mind as we read some scriptures.
Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Romans 14:16-19
All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor. 1 Corinthians 10:23-24
Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church. 1 Corinthians 14:12
For this reason I am writing these things while absent, in order that when present I may not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me, for building up and not for tearing down. 2 Corinthians 13:10
11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Ephesians 4:11-16
The New American Standard Bible, (La Habra, California: The Lockman Foundation) 1977.
Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 1 Corinthians 8:1 (KJV)
He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail. Job 17:5 The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.
2007 Jacques Gauvin
Search for related topics. * United Church Of God - UCG - ucg.org