Edification is a word used frequently among the Lord’s people. It is found in scripture numerous times. Edification is an enormous part of a Christian’s life. Without it we would easily fail in our spiritual endeavors. That being said, it is essential that we understand what edification is, where we get it, and what role each of us play in contributing to the edification of ourselves and each other.

What is edification?

Edification is translated from the Greek word, oikodomē, meaning architecture, that is, a structure. The idea expressed is that of building up, as a building would be constructed. Thayer says of edification – the act of one who promotes another’s growth in Christian wisdom, piety, holiness, happiness. It is important to stress the spiritual nature of edification displayed in scripture. While a byproduct of edification might be various emotions, the emotions themselves are not edifying.

Edification is often spoken of as a superficial product of spirituality. Edification is the feeling you get from being in the presence of other Christians that are your age, or who have the same interests as you. Edification comes from the fun we have at get-togethers after services. These concepts of edification, as well as others, are false.

In the epistle to the church in Ephesus Paul wrote about edification. He writes that there were apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers given for the edifying of the church (cf. Ephesians 4:11). One of the reasons for edification was so “that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting” (4:14). Edification is a defense mechanism against the wicked one in the ongoing spiritual war. Peter said, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Edification is the building up of a spiritual understanding that allows us to know what to look out for and how to avoid it.

Where do we get edification?

In Ephesians 4, Paul states that edification of the church allows us to “all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (4:13). Before, Paul noted that the unity under discussion is “of the Spirit” (4:3). The Holy Spirit is that revealing factor of God’s will (cf. 1 Corinthians 2; 2 Peter 1:19-21). Edification is a result of us attaining “knowledge of the Son of God” and allows us to reach maturity. Directly following Paul’s point regarding edification, he reproved the Ephesians misbehavior of walking as the Gentiles walk. He then tells them, “you have not so learned Christ” (4:20). The knowledge of Christ taught them, rather, to put off the old man (cf. 4:22). We are built up, or edified, by the attaining of the knowledge of God’s word.

Prophecy was the most emphasized spiritual gift by Paul in 1 Corinthians 14. For “he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men” (14:3). Prophecy was more easily understood than tongue speaking and was therefore encouraged (cf. 14:13-19). However, all of the spiritual gifts discussed were for the purpose of edifying the church (cf. 14:12).

The spiritual gift of prophecy made manifest God’s word in bits and pieces (cf. 2 Peter 1:19-21). However, we no longer receive edification from prophecy. For prophecy was in part, and “when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away” (1 Corinthians 13:10). Having already established that prophecy is the word of God, we conclude that “that which is perfect” is the perfect revelation of God’s will. Jude tells us that the faith “was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). Therefore, we receive edification from scripture (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

What role do we play in our own edification, and each other’s?

Given that edification is received from the knowledge of God’s word, personal study is a colossal part of an individual’s edification. Paul told Timothy to “give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:13). Edification takes diligence to attain (cf. 2 Timothy 2:15). The failure of the seed sown by the wayside resulted from the individual’s lack of understanding of the word (cf. Matthew 13:19). The failure of the seed sown on the stony places is due to the lack of root found in oneself (cf. Matthew 13:21). Both of these situations result from a lack of diligence in study of God’s word. No edification was received due to neglect of self with regard to study.

A collective effort for edification with regard to the church is examined in scripture as well. Paul noted that, in the church, “every joint supplies” (Ephesians 4:16). Each individual plays a role in the edification of the church. We sing to each other to edify one another (cf. Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). We pray to edify one another (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:15). The assembling of ourselves together plays a role in edification (cf. Hebrews 10:24-25). As members of Christ’s church, and “individually members of one another” (Romans 12:5), it is incumbent upon each of us to edify each other.

Conclusion

Edification plays an important part in our effort to live lives pleasing to God. We must know God’s will and live our lives accordingly. This takes diligence in study, and attendance to the assembly. Let us each consider the truth about edification, and seek to further our knowledge of God’s will.