Dictionaries :: Edification, Edify, Edifying

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Edification, Edify, Edifying:

denotes

(a) "the act of building" (oikos, "a home," and demo, "to build"); this is used only figuratively in the NT, in the sense of edification, the promotion of spiritual growth (lit., "the things of building up"), Rom 14:19; 15:2; 1Cr 14:3, 5, 12, 26, e.g.;

(b) "a building, edifice," whether material, Mat 24:1, e.g., or figurative, of the future body of the believer, 2Cr 5:1, or of a local church, 1Cr 3:9, or the whole church, "the body of Christ," Eph 2:21.
See BUILDING.

Edification, Edify, Edifying:

lit., "to build a house" (see above),

(a) usually signifies "to build," whether literally, or figuratively; the present participle, lit., "the (ones) building," is used as a noun, "the builders," in Mat 21:42; Mar 12:10; Luk 20:17; Act 4:11 (in some mss.; the most authentic have the noun oikodomos); 1Pe 2:7;

(b) is used metaphorically, in the sense of "edifying," promoting the spiritual growth and development of character of believers, by teaching or by example, suggesting such spiritual progress as the result of patient labor. It is said

(1) of the effect of this upon local churches, Act 9:31; 1Cr 14:4;

(2) of the individual action of believers towards each other, 1Cr 8:1; 10:23; 14:17; 1Th 5:11;

(3) of an individual in regard to himself, 1Cr 14:4. In 1Cr 8:10, where it is translated "emboldened," the Apostle uses it with pathetic irony, of the action of a brother in "building up" his brother who had a weak conscience, causing him to compromise his scruples; "strengthened," or "confirmed," would be suitable renderings.
See BUILD, EMBOLDEN.