Building (3619) (oikodome from oikos = dwelling, house + doma = building or demo = to build) is literally the building of a house and came to refer to any building process. Oikodome can refer to the actual process of building or construction. Another literal meaning is as a reference to a building or edifice which is the result of a construction process (Mt 24:1, Mk 13:1, 2 are the only literal uses of oikodome in the NT). (See sermon by Alexander Maclaren entitled "Edification") Most of the NT uses of oikodome are metaphorical or figurative, obviously an architectural metaphor. As used here in Eph 2:21, oikodome refers to the church as the building for God's indwelling (cp 1Co 3:9 - see discussion below). Figuratively the idea is the process of edification or building up spiritually or spiritual strengthening. Other figurative meanings include our physical bodies (5.1" class="scriptRef">2Co 5:1), as a reference to the process of spiritual growth, edification or building up (some contexts speak primarily to the individual, some to the corporate body of Christ) (Ro 14:19, 15:2, 1Co 3:9, 14:3, 5, 12, 26, 2Co 10:8), Webster's English dictionary says that edify is from Latin aedificare meaning to construct, to instruct or improve spiritually, from Latin to erect a house, from aedes temple, house and facio, to make. In English edify means . To build, in a literal sense. [Not now used.] To instruct and improve the mind in knowledge generally, and particularly in moral and religious knowledge, in faith and holiness. To improve the morality, intellect, etc, especially by instruction. Vine summarizes the word group of oikodome (noun) and oikodomeo (verb) noting that these is used... both in a literal sense, Mt 7:24; Lk 4:29, and in a figurative, Ac 20:32; Ga 2:18. The corresponding noun, oikodome, building, edification, is used in a similar way, literally, Matthew 24:1 (noun - oikodome), figuratively, Ro 14:19 (noun - oikodome). The word expresses the strengthening effect of teaching, 1Co 14:3 (noun - oikodome), and example, 1Co 10:23, upon oneself and upon others, 1Co 14:4, whether for good, 2Co 10:8, or for evil, 1Co 8:10, “emboldened.” From the familiar spectacle of building operations it transfers to the spiritual realm the idea of assured progress as the result of patient labor. The word is used of national life, Mt 21:42, and of church life, Ac 9:31, as well as of the individual, Ro 15:2 (noun - oikodome). It is used of the “Church which is His Body” in Mt 16:18; 12" class="scriptRef">Ep 4:12 (noun - oikodome), cp. 1Pe 2:5, and of the local church in 1Co 3:9; 14:5, 12; Ep 2:21 (noun - oikodome). Once it describes the resurrection body, 2Co 5:1. God is said to be the Builder, in 1Co 3:9 (noun - oikodome); Christ in Mt 16:18; Paul in Ro 15:20, cp. 1Co 3:10; 2Co 10:8; 13:10 (both use the noun - oikodome); the “gifts” of the ascended Lord are the builders in Ep 4:12 (noun - oikodome), cp. 1Co 14:12; individual believers, here; and in Ep 4:16 (noun - oikodome) the church is said to build itself up in love. Building up is effected by: (1) love, 1Co 8:1, cp. Ep 4:16 (noun - oikodome): (2) prophesying, 1Co 14:3, 4 (noun in 14:3 - oikodome), (3) exhortation, 1Th 5:11, cp. He 10:25. (Vine, W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson) Oikodome is used 18 times in the NT and is rendered in the NAS as building(8), buildings(3), edification(5), edifying(1), upbuilding(1) and in the KJV as edifying 7, building 6, edification 4, wherewith (one) may edify 1 Matthew 24:1 And Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. Mark 13:1 And as He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, "Teacher, behold what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!" 2 And Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another which will not be torn down." Romans 14:19-note So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Comment: This conveys the sense that the building is a process (not an arrival - that's where the metaphor "breaks down" - in this earthly life we will need to be continually building up one another. Vincent - Lit., things of edification, that, namely, which is with reference to one another. The definite article thus points Paul’s reference to individuals rather than to the Church as a whole. Romans 15:2-note Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. 1Corinthians 3:9 For we are God's fellow workers; you (plural - the Corinthian believers were in view) are God's field, God's building. Comment: Corinth was known for its magnificent buildings and pagan temples which were but temporal works of human hands. Little wonder that Paul would introduce the imagery of an architectural metaphor, one which all Corinthians could readily understand (cp 1Co 3:16, 6:19, 2Co 6:16). In context, Paul is in a sense contrasting the temporal, transient nature of human works with the supernatural, eternal character of "good" (God) works (see study of Good Deeds), in and through believers who are continually choosing to yield to the Holy Spirit, Who enables the believers to "build" - (1Co 3:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) (cp Jn 15:5, Ga 5:16-note, Ga 5:18-note, Ga 5:22-note, Ga 5:23-note, Ga 5:25-note), cp 2Co 5:10, 1Co 4:5). While this verse (and the following passages certainly can be applied to building of the individual's life in Christ, some like Warren Wiersbe [others such as John MacArthur agree] interpret this as primarily a reference to the local church and offers the interesting conclusion that "one day God will judge our labors as related to the local assembly" [Bible Exposition Commentary]. In 1Cor 6:19, 20, clearly the individual believer is in view as God's temple.) Vincent has this note on oikodome - Paul’s metaphors are drawn from the works and customs of men rather than from the works of nature. “In his epistles,” says Archdeacon Farrar, “we only breathe the air of cities and synagogues.” The abundance of architectural metaphors is not strange in view of the magnificent temples and public buildings which he was continually seeing at Antioch, Athens, Corinth, and Ephesus. His frequent use of to build and building in a moral and spiritual sense is noteworthy. In this sense the two words oikodomeo and oikodome occur twenty-six times in the New Testament, and in all but two cases in Paul’s writings. Peter uses build in a similar sense; 1Pet. 2:5. See edify, edification, build, Acts 9:31; Ro 15:20; 1Co 8:1; 1Co 8:10, where emboldened is literally built up, and is used ironically. Also Ro 14:19; 15:2; 1 Cor. 14:3; Eph. 2:21, etc. It is worth noting that in the Epistle to the Hebrews, while the same metaphor occurs, different words are used. Thus in He 3:3, 4, built, bullied, represent kataskeuazo to prepare. In Heb 11:10, technites artificer, and demiourgos, lit., a workman for the public: A. V., builder and maker. This fact has a bearing on the authorship of the epistle. In earlier English, edify was used for build in the literal sense. Thus Piers Ploughman: “I shal overturne this temple and a-down throwe it, and in thre daies after edifie it newe.” See on Acts 20:32. In the double metaphor of the field and the building, the former furnishes the mould of Paul’s thought in 1Co 3:6, 7, 8, 9, and the latter in 1Cor 3:10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. Edwards remarks that the field describes the raw material on which God works, the house the result of the work. 1Corinthians 14:3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. 4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies (verb - oikodomeo) himself; but one who prophesies edifies (verb - oikodomeo) the church. 5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying. Comment: Edification is the main test of tongues in this chapter. In public worship we should have only what "builds up" the church 1Corinthians 14:12 So also you (plural), since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church. 1Corinthians 14:26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done (3rd person singular) for edification. Comment: John MacArthur writes that oikodome... literally means “house building,” the construction of a house. Figuratively, it refers to growing, improving, or maturing. The spiritual lives of Christians need to be built up and improved, expanded to fulness and completeness. The primary responsibility of Christians to each other is to build each other up. Edification is a major responsibility of church leaders (Ep 4:11,12), but it is also the responsibility of all other Christians. Every believer is called to be an edifier. “Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing” (1Th 5:11). “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself” (Ro 15:2, 3). Jesus “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28). Our Lord did not seek what was beneficial to Himself but what was beneficial to those He came to save. As Paul repeatedly points out in this fourteenth chapter, a major evidence of the Corinthians’ loveless immaturity was their selfish concern for themselves, the other side of which was lack of concern for the edification, the building up, of their brothers and sisters in Christ (1Co 14:3, 4, 5, 12, 17, 26, 31) They did not, as Paul commanded, “pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another” (Ro 14:19). That which builds others up is also that which brings harmony, just as that which is selfish is also that which brings disharmony. Christians are built up by only one thing, the Word of God. That is the tool with which all spiritual building is done. (2Ti3:16,17). That is the tool with which every believer should be skilled. (MacArthur, J: 1Corinthians. Chicago: Moody Press) 2Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God (our physical body), a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Comment: A building suggests something on a solid foundation that is fixed, secure, and permanent. Since it replaced his earthly tent (his physical body), the building from God Paul referred to must be his glorified body (cp 2Co 4:14). 2Corinthians 10:8 For even if I should boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying (pulling you down - NIV) you (plural), I shall not be put to shame, 2Corinthians 12:19 All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your (plural) upbuilding, beloved. 2Corinthians 13:10 For this reason I am writing these things while absent, in order that when present I may not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me, for building up and not for tearing down. Ephesians 2:21-note in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; Ephesians 4:12-note for the equipping (verb was a medical technical term for the setting of a bone) of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; Vincent writes that Building defines the nature of the work of ministry, and perfecting comes through a process. John MacArthur writes that oikodome... literally refers to the building of a house, and was used figuratively of any sort of construction. It is the spiritual edification and development of the church of which Paul is speaking here. The body is built up externally through evangelism as more believers are added, but the emphasis here is on its being built up internally as all believers are nurtured to fruitful service through the Word. Paul’s exhortation to the Ephesian elders emphasizes this process: “I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, … which is able to build you up” (Greek = epoikodomeo:G2026) (Acts 20:32). The maturation of the church is tied to learning of and obedience to the holy revelation of Scripture. Just as newborn babes desire physical milk, so should believers desire the spiritual nourishment of the Word (1Pe 2:2-note). (MacArthur, J: Ephesians. Chicago: Moody Press) Ephesians 4:16-note from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Expositor's Greek Testament says The idea appears to be that the body is fitly framed and knit together by means of the joints, every one of them in its own place and function, as the points of connection between member and member, and the points of communication between the different parts and the supply which comes from the Head. The joints are the constituents of union in the body and the media of the impartation of the life drawn by the members from the head.” (Online) Ephesians 4:29-note Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear. Oikodome is used 5x in the non-apocryphal Septuagint - 1 Chr. 26:27; 29:1; Ezek. 16:61; 17:17; 40:2