Edification; Edify
Textsâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
The Greek terms oikodomeo and oikodome function as metaphors for spiritual construction in the New Testament, where 'edify' and 'edification' translate the act of fostering growth in Christian character. The Revised Version often employs 'build up' to clarify the architectural imagery inherent in these passages.
What is the meaning of Edification; Edify in the Bible?
The Greek terms oikodomeo and oikodome function as metaphors for spiritual construction in the New Testament, where 'edify' and 'edification' translate the act of fostering growth in Christian character. The Revised Version often employs 'build up' to clarify the architectural imagery inherent in these passages.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the architectural metaphor of 'building up' clarifies how early Christian communities viewed spiritual maturity as a cumulative process of instruction and mutual support rather than an instantaneous event.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Edification; Edify in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Edification; Edify clarify?
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.