Bible Daily

What Does the Bible Say About Edification?

The term "edification" frequently appears in Christian discourse, but understanding its biblical definition and significance requires a deep dive into Scripture and theological reflection. Derived from the Latin word "aedificare," which means "to build," edification in the Bible refers to the spiritual growth and strengthening of the faith community.

The concept of edification is intricately woven throughout the New Testament, especially in the Pauline epistles. Paul uses the term to describe the building up of the church, both in terms of individual believers and the collective body of Christ. One of the clearest expressions of this is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:11: "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing" (NIV). Here, the idea of edification is closely linked to mutual encouragement and support among believers.

In Ephesians 4:11-16, Paul elaborates on the mechanisms of edification within the church:

"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work" (NIV).

This passage highlights several key aspects of biblical edification:

  1. Christ's Provision: Christ provides the necessary gifts and roles within the church to facilitate growth. These roles—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—are given to equip believers for service.

  2. Unity and Maturity: The ultimate goal is the unity and maturity of the body of Christ, characterized by a deep knowledge of the Son of God and a steadfast faith.

  3. Truth and Love: Speaking the truth in love is essential for growth, preventing believers from being misled by false teachings and enabling them to mature in their faith.

  4. Interconnectedness: The metaphor of the body, with Christ as the head, underscores the interconnectedness of believers. Each member has a role, and the growth of the entire body depends on the effective functioning of each part.

Another significant passage on edification is found in 1 Corinthians 14. Here, Paul addresses the use of spiritual gifts, particularly the gift of prophecy, within the church. He contrasts the gift of tongues, which edifies the individual, with prophecy, which edifies the church:

"Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified" (1 Corinthians 14:4-5, NIV).

Paul emphasizes the communal aspect of edification. While personal spiritual experiences are valuable, the edification of the church as a whole is of greater importance. Prophecy, which involves speaking God's truth to the community, serves to edify the church by providing guidance, encouragement, and instruction.

The theme of edification also appears in Peter's writings. In 1 Peter 2:4-5, he uses the metaphor of a spiritual house to describe the process of being built up:

"As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (NIV).

This imagery emphasizes the collective nature of edification. Believers are not isolated individuals but are being built together into a spiritual house. The purpose of this edification is to offer spiritual sacrifices, indicating that edification involves both growth in holiness and active participation in worship and service.

In summary, the Bible defines edification as the process of building up the church, both individually and collectively, in faith, knowledge, and love. It involves faithful teaching of Scripture, mutual encouragement, the exercise of spiritual gifts, and personal spiritual growth, all aimed at the maturity and unity of the body of Christ.