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Edification is a word which may seem long and complicated, but it is a very important word for the Christian vocabulary. Therefore,
we need to study edification and gain a better understanding of the word as it is found in the Scriptures. In fact, in this study we shall
consider the subject from the vantage points of eight different Scriptures. Of course there are other Scriptures which deal with
edification and related words such as edify and edifying.
Before going to the Bible, let us consider a simple definition which should give a sense of direction, as we consider the Scriptures which
follow. Edification simply means building up. Therefore we are to consider the idea of building up people! It usually carries the idea of
advancing, improving, instructing, adorning, and comforting. We may receive this edification through prayer, listening to the gospel, reading
the Bible, doing good works, and meditating on God. Keep in mind that edification is something which we can do for others as well as
for ourselves.
(1) "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another" (Romans 14:19).
Christian fellowship is to be aimed at two things, peace and edification. Paul is saying that subjects of the kingdom of God who serve
Jesus Christ are to share a dual pursuit. We are to seek peace with others and the edification of others. We should aim at these two targets
as carefully as does a hunter at his game.
As the body of Christ, the church should always seek peace (1 Peter 3: 11). As much as is humanly possible, we should live at peace with
one another (Rom. 12:18). A church torn by strife, contention, quarrels, and divisions has lost its right to be called a church. It has
become fragmented with worldliness.
The church must also aim at up-building its members. The structure of the church was designed to build up all its members. Peter
described us as "lively stones" (l Peter 2:5), and anyone who helps build up the church, making its fabric and structure stronger, is
edifying the body. So let each of us aim at peace and edification!
(2) "Let everyone of us please his neighbor for his good to edification" (Rom. 15:2). Here Paul informs us that spiritual minded people
think in terms of others. If we are strong, we can help the weak bear their burdens (Gal. 6:2), and such conduct fulfills the Law of Christ,
which is love John 15:12). People whose faith is weak need the encouragement of those whose faith is strong, and thereby the weak
brother is edified or built up. We help, not for our glory, but for God's glory and their good! We have Christ as our pattern, for He took
our reproaches and went to the cross in our place and for our good. Since Jesus saved us, the least we can do is edify one another.
(3) "Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we have all knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth" (l
Cor. 8:1). The early church had a real problem with meats. There were in the church some who were reared in heathenism and some who
were reared in Judaism. Those brought up under the Law could not eat certain meats, especially those offered to idols. Paul wanted them
to know that he understood the Law and understood their problem; however, he added that mere knowledge is not enough but there is
the need for love also.
Knowledge may make a person arrogant, feeling he knows more than others. Such knowledge may put down the ignorant, but love
will pick him up (edify). Therefore, no one should be judged strictly from the standpoint of knowledge; for if love is mixed with the
knowledge, then the person is built up. Love will require us to share our knowledge in a kind and sympathetic way, so as to lift up others
and not put them down. This lifting up is edification.
(4) "But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. How is it then, brethren? when ye come
together, everyone of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be
done unto edification" (l Cor. 14:3, 26). In this chapter, Paul dealt with speaking in tongues, which was a gift of the apostolic church
However, while he did acknowledge the gift, he preferred prophesy and commended those who prophesied. Such individuals were not
seeking their own gratification, but the edification of others. They spoke not with tongues, but in a language which all could understand
and so benefit from what they said.
Paul implied that each one who had a different gift or ability sought to use it but not always for the good of the whole body. He reminded
them that edification is to be of utmost importance in all that we do in the church. Our actions are not simply to gratify ourselves but
to lift up and build up others.
(5) "For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your
destruction, I should not be ashamed" (2 Cor. 10:8).Paul was an apostle of the Lord and as such had authority from God. He also recognized
that God had given that authority for the upbuilding of the church. He was to build up or edify God's people, not to tear down and destroy
them to the cause of Christ in the earth. Would that all pastoral authority could be viewed in the light of edification, for then there
would be more help and less hurt rendered by ministers.
(6) "Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? We speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your
edifying" (2 Cor. 12:19). Paul had not sought material gain from his labors, but rather a spiritual gain for others. While we ministers are
supported by the church to allow us to be entirely given to the ministry, we should be concerned not with the material substance,
but with those things which will build up others. Any minister who is overly concerned with finances has lost sight of the real purpose
of his existence - the edification of God's people. Through our studies, preaching, teaching, and private counsel, we must aim at building
up God's children by helping them be better people.
(7) "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the
saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." (Eph. 4: 11-12). Paul listed these various divisions of the
ministry: apostles, of which he was one; prophets, who appeared in the Old Testament but whose teachings were used by the church;
evangelists, who were basically wandering preachers; and pastors and teachers, which was a double phrase used to describe one group.
Pastors are shepherds who watch over the flock of God and as they do so, they teach. Books were rare 1400 years before the printing press
and those available would often cost a year's wage. So teachers were valuable, sharing the Word of God by mouth. All these groups were
given by God, that His saints might be edified.
(8) "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister
grace unto the hearers" (Eph. 4:29). Here Paul admonishes all saints to be careful what they say. The mouth or tongue is an unruly member
Games 3: 1-8) and is often used to injure others. Paul further reminds us all (ministers and laymen) that we are to monitor our conversation
and speak only those things which will build up others. Then those who hear us will receive edification. Let us be careful to say only that
which will help others. I hope that all of us will be more conscious of others, endeavoring by all we say and do to edify one another as
we have been taught by God in these Scripture references.
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