Tag: oikodome

Romans 15:2 – Build-up, Not Tear-down

Posted on by Will

Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

Truth to Learn

We are to focus on the good of others and on ways to build them up, not on ways to tear them down.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “please” is a form of the Greek verb areskō, which means “to make one inclined to or to soften one's heart towards another.” This particular form of the verb is in the present tense and imperative mood. The imperative mood means that Paul is not simply suggesting that this might be a good idea, rather he is commanding us to do this. Also, according to the Complete Word Study Dictionary, “the present tense denotes intentional, deliberate, and continuous conduct; yet the word involves a relationship prior to behavior. It is actually satisfying or behaving properly toward one with whom one is related.”

“Neighbor” is from the Greek noun plēsion, which is based on the word pelas, meaning “near” or “close to.” Hence, plēsion refers to someone who is physically close to you, that is, your neighbor. Metaphorically, it refers to anyone whom you encounter in your walk through this life.

“Build … up” is from oikodomē, which we looked at back in Romans 14:19. It is made up of oikos, meaning “a family dwelling place” and a form of demo, meaning “to build.” Literally, oikodomē means “to build a house.” By application it means “to build-up, physically, emotionally, or spiritually.”

 

Meaning Explained

We have just been taught that those of us who are strong in our faith need to bear with the weaknesses of those who are less mature in their Christian faith. And, we just saw that the word translated “to bear” means “to lift up” or “to provide support.” Now the Apostle Paul teaches us that we are to please our neighbor for his good, not for our own. This is nearly a restatement of what we were told back in Romans 14:19;

Therefore we should pursue the things of peace and the things by which we build up one another.

In that verse Paul emphasized us pursuing the things which produce peace and the things which build-up someone else. In the current verse Paul’s exhortation again includes building up someone else, but it focuses on pleasing our neighbor.

In other words, we are to behave in a particular way to those around us, those whom we encounter in life. We are to treat them in such a way as to make them feel good and warm hearted. If you have ever had a dispute with a next door neighbor or someone with whom you work, then you know how difficult this can be. Paul’s point, however, is that we should constantly be acting in such a way toward those around us that they will be impressed with the way Christians behave.

 

Application

Yet again, we see that the proper attitude of a follower of Christ is to be focused on the good of others rather than his or her own good. That’s what Jesus’ life was all about. He humbled himself and offered His perfect life on the cross for our sake, not His own. We need to emulate His life. Remember, you may be the only Bible that your neighbor will ever read! Do your neighbors see Jesus Christ in you?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 4:29 – Constructive Words

Posted on by Will

Let no rotten word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for needed edification, that it may give grace to the hearers.

Truth to Learn

Our speech should build up, not tear down.

 

Behind the Words

“Let … proceed” is translated from the verb ekporeuomai, which is a compound word made up of ek, meaning “out of” and poreuomai, meaning “to travel, to depart, or to go.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood, indicating a command. Since English doesn’t have a similar command form, the word “let” is used to provide this emphasis. Therefore, when you see the word “let” used with a verb in the Bible, it almost always implies a command type of directive, not a statement of permission.

The word “rotten” is from the Greek word sapros, which is based on the verb sēpō, meaning “to putrefy, to rot, or to perish.” Thus, sapros refers to that which is rotten or putrid.

“Word” is translated from the Greek noun logos, which refers to something said. However, it refers to more than just the word itself, but also to the thoughts behind the word.

“Needed” is from chreia, meaning “that which is needful, necessary, or useful.”

The word “edification” is translated from oikodomē, which we saw earlier in this chapter. It literally refers to “building a house.” Metaphorically, it refers to “building up” or “strengthening” someone or something.

                          

Meaning Explained

Paul is teaching us about the “new man” with which we are to clothe ourselves. Characteristics of this new man include not lying, not being sinfully angry, not stealing, and now – being careful about our speech.

Usually when we read today’s verse we think that it applies specifically to cursing, or as we call it, swearing: the use of four-letter swear words or using the Lord’s name in vain. It seems, however, that Paul has a much broader concept in mind. He specifically refers to it as putrid, or rotten, words and thoughts. And, as we have already pointed out, in Paul’s typical style he tells what the proper thing is right after he tells us the improper thing. The proper type of communication is “that which is good for needed edification of those who hear.”

One of the advantages of this style of teaching is that it tells us a little bit more about what to avoid. The type of speech which we are to avoid is that which does not build up. In other words, any communication which tears down or which prevents building up is the rotten communication Paul refers to. Yes, it would necessarily include swearing, but it also includes insulting or belittling speech. It includes bragging about oneself. It includes intentionally deceptive words and any type of speech which blasphemes God. In other words, if the words you say don’t encourage or build up your brothers and sisters in Christ, don’t say them.

 

Application

Your mother may have taught you, like my mother taught me, when she said, “If you can’t say something nice about someone, then don’t say anything at all.” That sounds like Apostle Paul-talk to me.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 4:16 – Growth At Work

Posted on by Will

from whom the whole body, having been closely joined together and united by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working in the measure of every single part, produces the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Truth to Learn

Growth of the body depends on all parts doing their part.

 

Behind the Words

The word “from” is translated from ek, meaning “out of.” This word indicates the source from which something is derived.

“Closely joined together” is from sunarmologeō, which is made up of sun, meaning “together,” harmos, meaning “an articulation (a joint), and logos, meaning “a word spoken.” Actually, the original meaning of logos was “to lay forth,” which is the sense in which it is used in this word. Sunarmelogeō means “to be laid-out closely together.” It is a picture of blocks of stone which are laid down together, fitting perfectly because they have been shaped into a perfect fit.

“United” is translated from the Greek word sumbibadzō, which is made up of sun, meaning “together” and bibadzō, meaning “to uplift.” Thus, sumbibadzō means “to knit together” or “to unite together.” This is a picture of two bushes planted close together which grow into each other so that they form the appearance of a single bush.

The word “joint” is haphē, which refers to “that which connects or joins two things, like a ligament.”

 “Growth” is translated from auxēis, which is based on auxanō (which we saw in yesterday’s verse) meaning “growth as a result of an outside power.”

“Building up” is from the Greek word oikodomē, which is made up of oikos, meaning “a house” or “a dwelling place” and the base of demō, meaning “to build.” Oikodomē refers to the edifying, or building up of a structure, an organization, or a person.

 

Meaning Explained

This verse starts out with “from whom.” This is a reference to Jesus Christ who is the head of the body. The words from “joined” to “every single part” are parenthetical. So to understand the base meaning behind this verse, we could temporarily exclude the parenthetical expression. Thus, we have “from whom the whole body … produces the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” In other words, it is Jesus Christ working through the church which causes all the body to grow. Keep in mind that the word “growth” refers to that growth which is caused by an outside power. So, the source of growth in the body of Christ is God, but the process of growth is through all the various parts of the body, with each one doing his or her part.

In the parenthetical expression we are told a little about how the body is put together and how it functions. The words translated “closely joined together and united” tell us that every part of the body is specially formed and gifted by God to be perfectly joined to the other parts of the body. But it doesn’t stop there. As we are joined together in service to and with our brothers and sisters, we actually grow together. We become so united that we become an inseparable unit (that’s the unity that Paul has been talking about for most of this chapter).

The final point to learn is that the growth of the body depends on every part doing its share. If part of the body is not working, it becomes like a cancer sucking the life out of the church.

 

Application

From these last few verses we see how important it is for members of the church to be growing. In order for that to happen, though, we all have to be working, performing the function for which God has gifted us. Let’s all get to work and build up the body together!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 4:12 – Share Your Gift!

Posted on by Will

for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ,

Truth to Learn

All Christians have gifts to be used in the church.

 

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “equipping” is katartismos. This word is made up of kata, meaning “down” but used here as an intensifier and a derivative of artios, meaning “to finish, to adjust, or to repair.” The fundamental meaning of katartismos is “to be put in the proper condition.” It could also be described as “to make fully ready.”

“Ministry” is from diakonia which means “attending to someone like a servant would do,” that is, “serving” or “ministering.”

“Building up” is translated from the Greek word oikodomē, which is a compound word made up of oikos, meaning “a house” or “a dwelling place” and a derivative of demō, meaning “to build.” Thus, oikodomē specifically refers to “building a house” and in common usage it means “to build up or strengthen something.”

 

Meaning Explained

For the past few verses Paul has been talking about the gifts which Christ gave to men (Ephesians 4:8) when he ascended to heaven following His victory over death and Satan. Some of those spiritual gifts were mentioned in yesterday’s verse. These gifts include the gift of apostleship, the gift of prophecy, the gift of evangelism, and the gift of pastoring, and teaching (the last two given together to those who pastor churches).

Too often, people in churches believe that it is the pastor’s job to evangelize the lost and to teach church truths. They also tend to believe that it is up to the apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor/teachers to build up the body of Christ. According to Paul, however, that is not correct. In today’s verse we learn that the job of these gifted men is to prepare ordinary church-goers to do the work of ministry.

I can just hear you say, “Wait a minute! I thought that the pastor was the minister of our church.” He is, but so are you! Each of us in the church is supposed to be ministering. Our pastors’ jobs include overseeing the local assembly and teaching us. Part of that teaching is Christian doctrine. Another part of his job is teaching us how we can all build up the body of Christ. Here’s how Paul expressed it in 1Corinthians 12:7,

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for our profit; (1 Corinthians 12:7)

In other words, the spiritual gifts are given to each one of us, not for our own benefit, but for the benefit of the entire body of Christ. No matter what spiritual gift you have (wisdom, knowledge, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues, teaching, pastoring, helps, exhortation, administration, giving, leading, and mercy), the purpose of that gift is to build up other Christians. No matter what gift or gifts you have, if you are using it (or them) for your own benefit, then you are misusing that gift. According to today’s verse, we are to be using our gifts to build up the body of Christ.

 

Application

Do you know what your spiritual gift is? If not, look through the list above and pray to God that He will reveal what your gift is. When you know what your spiritual gift is, look for ways to use that gift in the body of Christ, and then get to work! We all have a job to do; let’s all do our part.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 2:21 – Temple Building

Posted on by Will

in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,

Truth to Learn

Every Christian is part of the temple of God.

 

Behind the Words

The words “the whole” are translated from a form of pas, which can mean “all” or “every.” So this could be translated as “all the building” or “the whole building.”

“Building” is from the Greek word oikodomē, which is very similar to the word translated “having been built on” in the previous verse. This word can refer either to “the act of building” or to “the building” itself.

The verb sunarmologeō is translated here as “being fitted together.” This word is made up of sun, meaning “together,” harmos “to join things together,” and legō, which means “to lay forth” or “to say a word.” Putting these all together, we find that sunarmologeō means “to lay things closely joined together,” as one would do with stones or bricks in building a structure. The word is expressed here as a present participle, indicating that it is action that is continually taking place.

The word “grows” is from auxanō, which means “to grow” or “to increase.” This word is expressed in the present tense, indicative mood, which implies current continuous action.

“Temple” is translated from naos. This is derived from the verb naiō, meaning “to dwell.” Naos refers to “a shrine” or “a temple” where a deity dwells. There is another word in Greek, often translated “temple.” It is hieron, which refers to the entire temple area or temple grounds. Naos, however, refers specifically to the central building in the temple area.

 

Meaning Explained

In the Greek text there is no definite article associated with the word oikodomē, which introduces some ambiguity as to whether Paul is talking about every believer being a holy temple, or the whole church being a single, holy temple. However, since both “building” and “temple” are singular Greek words and the following verse says that “you [plural] are being built together for a dwelling place [singular] for God,” there is strong evidence that Paul is referring to the entire church as the building.

Assuming that this is, in fact, what Paul was expressing, we are told here that the church, which is composed of every believer from the beginning of time, is continually being built by God. Each member of the church has a place in the building and is put in place joined closely together with those around him or her. Later in this letter (Ephesians 4:12) Paul will refer to the church as “the body of Christ.” Also. in his first letter to the Corinthians, he refers to the church as “the body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27). Since Paul uses both of these metaphors to refer to the church universal, we can see that the church, whether a living body or a building, is continually being built. And, we see from this verse, that the church is the central temple (dwelling place) of God, Himself. We are all part of the body, and we are all part of the holy temple where God lives.

 

Application

Whether we consider the church to be the temple of God or the body of Christ, we each have a part in it. Each and every Christian has an important function to perform. Are you performing your function? Are you being used by God as part of the church? If not, you’re not fulfilling God’s purpose for your life.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Corinthians 3:9 – Builder or Spectator?

Posted on by Will

For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building.

Truth to Learn

Every Christian is assigned a task in building God’s church and we all need to be hard at work, not just watching.

Behind the Words

In this verse, each time the word “God’s” appears, it is the translation of the genitive case (indicating possession) of the noun theos, from which we get our English word “theology,” meaning the study of God. The word theos was originally used by the Greeks to refer to any of their gods. In the New Testament, however, it is almost exclusively used in reference to the one true God. Theos is probably derived from the Greek word theteres, meaning “placers,” for the Greeks thought the gods were makers and disposers of all things. The ancient Greeks believed that elements had their own “placers.” Thus they had the god of fire, the god of the winds, the god of money, etc.

“Fellow workers” is from the Greek noun sunergos. This is made up of sun, meaning “together” and ergon, which refers to “work” or “a deed.”

Geōrgion is the word translated “field.” It refers to ground that is used to grow plants. It could be translated as “farmland,” “vineyard,” or “garden.”

“Building” is from the Greek noun oikodomē, which is made up of oikos, meaning “a dwelling place” or “a house” and a form of demō, meaning “to build.” Literally, it refers to a house under construction.

Meaning Explained

The first thing to notice about this verse is the way it is constructed. Literally it reads, “God’s fellow workers we are, God’s garden, God’s building you are.” The word theos is the first word in each phrase, placing strong emphasis on the fact that God is the possessor and source of each. The verbs we are (first person) and you are (second person) are notably different. Paul includes himself in the group of “fellow workers” but emphasized that you (members of the church, the body of Christ) are God’s garden and God’s house under construction.

As we mentioned in verse six, Paul uses an agricultural metaphor that everyone in the Roman world would be familiar with. In this verse, he transitions to an architectural metaphor. This would be especially relevant to people in the city of Corinth because of all the magnificent temples and other splendid structures that existed throughout the city and other major cities throughout the Roman Empire. Perhaps the reason for this is the fact that a garden or a vineyard was typically the work of a few workers working together. The great buildings of the Roman cities, however, were the work of large numbers of people working together toward a common goal.

The apostle will now use the architectural metaphor to show how the body of Christ, the church, God’s temple, is built up as a result of each one of us doing our part. He will then show that each worker will receive his or her pay (reward) in proportion to the amount of work done in the temple building process.

Application

Are you hard at work building up the body of Christ, God’s temple, or are you just sitting back watching it grow? Only the workers will get paid, not the spectators.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

Ephesians 4:29 – Constructive Words

Posted on by Will

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Truth to Learn

Our speech should build up, not tear down.

Behind the Words

“Let … proceed” is translated from the verb ekporeuomai, which is a compound word made up of ek, meaning “out of” and poreuomai, meaning “to travel, to depart, or to go.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood, indicating a command. Since English doesn’t have a similar command form, the word “let” is used to provide this emphasis. Therefore, when you see the word “let” used with a verb in the Bible it almost always implies a command type of directive, not a statement of permission.

The word “corrupt” is from the Greek word sapros, which is based on the verb sēpō, meaning “to putrefy, to rot, or to perish.” Thus, sapros refers to that which is rotten or putrid.

“Word” is translated from the Greek noun logos, which refers to something said. However, it refers to more than just the word itself, but also to the thoughts behind the word.

“Necessary” is from chreia, meaning “that which is needful, necessary, or useful.”

The word “edification” is translated from oikodomē, which we saw earlier in this chapter. It literally refers to “building a house.” Metaphorically, it refers to “building up” or “strengthening” someone or something.

Meaning Explained

Paul is teaching us about the “new man” with which we are to clothe ourselves. Characteristics of this new man include not lying, not being sinfully angry, not stealing, and now – being careful about our speech.

Usually when we read today’s verse we think that it applies specifically to cursing, or as we call it, swearing: the use of four-letter swear words or using the Lord’s name in vain. It seems, however, that Paul has a much broader concept in mind. He specifically refers to it as putrid, or rotten, words and thoughts. And, as we have already pointed out, in Paul’s typical style he tells what the proper thing is right after he tells us the improper thing. The proper type of communication is “that which is good toward the needful edification of those who hear.”

One of the advantages of this style of teaching is that it tells us a little bit more about what to avoid. The type of speech which we are to avoid is that which does not build up. In other words, any communication which tears down or which prevents building up is the rotten communication Paul refers to. Yes, it would necessarily include swearing, but it also includes insulting or belittling speech. It includes bragging about oneself. It includes intentionally deceptive words and any type of speech which blasphemes God. In other words, if the words you say don’t encourage or build up your brothers and sisters in Christ, don’t say them.

Application

Your mother may have taught you like my mother taught me when she said, “If you can’t say something nice about someone, then don’t say anything at all.” That sounds like Apostle Paul-talk to me.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

Ephesians 4:12 – Share Your Gift!

Posted on by Will

for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

Truth to Learn

All Christians have gifts to be used in the church.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “equipping” is katartismos. This word is made up of kata, meaning “down” but used here as an intensifier and a derivative of artios, meaning “to finish, to adjust, or to repair.” The fundamental meaning of katartismos is “to be put in the proper condition.”

“Ministry” is from diakonia which means “attending to someone like a servant would do,” that is, “serving.”

“Edifying” is translated from the Greek word oikodomē, which is a compound word made up of oikos, meaning “a house” or “a dwelling place” and a derivative of demō, meaning “to build.” Thus, oikodomē specifically refers to “building a house” and in common usage it means “to build or strengthen something.”

Meaning Explained

For the past few verses Paul has been talking about the gifts which Christ gave to men (Ephesians 4:8) when he ascended to heaven following His victory over death and Satan. Some of those spiritual gifts were mentioned in yesterday’s verse. These gifts include the gift of apostleship, the gift of prophecy, the gift of evangelism, the gift of pastoring, and the gift of teaching (the last two given together to those who pastor churches).

Too often, people in churches believe that it is the pastor’s job to evangelize the lost and to teach church truths. They also tend to believe that it is up to the apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor/teachers to build up the body of Christ. According to Paul, however, that is not correct. In today’s verse we learn that the job of these gifted men is to prepare ordinary church-goers to do the work of ministry.

I can just hear you say, “Wait a minute! I thought that the pastor was the minister of our church.” He is, but so are you! Each of us in the church is supposed to be ministering. Our pastors’ jobs include overseeing the local assembly and teaching us. Part of that teaching is Christian doctrine. Another part of his job is teaching us how we can all build up the body of Christ. Here’s how Paul expressed it in 1Corinthians 12:7,

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: (1 Corinthians 12:7)

In other words, the spiritual gifts are given to each one of us, not for our own benefit, but for the benefit of the entire body of Christ. No matter what spiritual gift you have (wisdom, knowledge, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues, teaching, pastoring, helps, exhortation, administration, giving, leading, mercy) the purpose of that gift is to build up other Christians. No matter what gift or gifts you have, if you are using it (or them) for your own benefit, then you are misusing that gift. According to today’s verse, we are to be using our gifts to build up the body of Christ.

Application

Do you know what your spiritual gift is? If not, look through the list above and pray to God that He will reveal what your gift is. When you know what your spiritual gift is, look for ways to use that gift in your local church, and then get to work! We all have a job to do; let’s all do our part.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

Ephesians 2:21 – Temple Building

Posted on by Will

Ephesians 2:21  – Temple Building

in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,

Truth to Learn

Every Christian is part of the temple of God.

Behind the Words

The words “the whole” are translated from a form of pas, which can mean “all” or “every.” Since there is no definite article included with the word for “building” a literal translation would be either “all building” or “every building.”

“Building” is from the Greek word oikodomē, which is very similar to the word translated “having been built on” in the previous verse. This word can refer either to “the act of building” or to “the building” itself.

The verb sunarmologeō is translated here as “being fitted together.” This word is made up of sun, meaning “together,” harmos “to join things together,” and legō, which means “to lay forth” or “to say a word.” Putting these all together, we find that sunarmologeō means “to lay things closely joined together,” as one would do with stones or bricks in building a structure. The word is expressed here as a present participle, indicating that it is action that is continually taking place.

The word “grows” is from auxanō, which means “to grow” or “to increase.” This word is expressed in the present tense, indicative mood, which implies current continuous action.

“Temple” is translated from naos. This is derived from the verb naiō, meaning “to dwell.” Naos refers to “a shrine” or “a temple” where a deity dwells.

Meaning Explained

As we pointed out in Behind the Words, there is no definite article associated with the word oikodomē, which introduces some ambiguity as to whether Paul is talking about every believer being a holy temple, or the whole church being a single, holy temple. However, since both “building” and “temple” are singular Greek words and the following verse says that “you [plural] are being built together for a dwelling place [singular] for God,” there is strong evidence that Paul is referring to the entire church as the building.

Assuming that this is, in fact, what Paul was expressing, we are told here that the church, which is composed of every believer from the beginning of time, is continually being built by God. Each member of the church has a place in the building and is put in place joined closely together with those around him or her. Later in this letter (Ephesians 4:12) Paul will refer to the church as “the body of Christ.” Also. in his first letter to the Corinthians, he also refers to the church as “the body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27). Since Paul uses both of these metaphors to refer to the church universal, we can see that the church, whether a living body or a building, is continually being built. And, we see from this verse, that the church is the temple (dwelling place) of God, Himself. We are all part of the body, and we are all part of the holy temple where God lives.

Application

Whether we consider the church to be the temple of God or the body of Christ, we each have a part in it. Each and every Christian has an important function to perform. Are you performing your function? Are you being used by God as part of the church? If not, you’re not fulfilling God’s purpose for your life.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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Romans 15:2 – Build-up, Not Tear-down

Posted on by Will

Romans 15:2 – Build-up, Not Tear-down

Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.

Truth to Learn

We are to focus on the good of others and on ways to build them up, not on ways to tear them down.

Behind the Words

The word translated “please” is a form of the Greek verb areskō, which means “to make one inclined to or to soften one’s heart towards another.” This particular form of the verb is in the present tense and imperative mood. The imperative mood means that Paul is not simply suggesting that this might be a good idea, rather he is commanding us to do this. Also, according to the Complete Word Study Dictionary, “the present tense denotes intentional, deliberate, and continuous conduct; yet the word involves a relationship prior to behavior. It is actually satisfying or behaving properly toward one with whom one is related.”

“Neighbor” is from the Greek noun plēsion, which is based on the word pelas, meaning “near” or “close to.” Hence, plēsion refers to someone who is physically close to you, that is, your neighbor. Metaphorically, it refers to anyone whom you encounter in your walk through this life.

“Edification” is from oikodomē, which we looked at back in Romans 14:19. It is made up of oikos, meaning “a family dwelling place” and a form of demo, meaning “to build.” Literally, oikodomē means “to build a house.” By application it means “to build-up, physically, emotionally, or spiritually.”

Meaning Explained

We have just been taught that those of us who are strong in our faith need to bear with the weaknesses of those who are less mature in their Christian faith. And, we just saw that the word translated “to bear” means “to lift up” or “to provide support.” Now the Apostle Paul teaches us that we are to please our neighbor for his good, not for our own. This is nearly a restatement of what we were told back in Romans 14:19;

Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

In that verse Paul emphasized us pursuing the things which produce peace and the things which build-up someone else. In the current verse Paul’s exhortation again includes building up someone else, but it focuses on pleasing our neighbor.

In other words, we are to behave in a particular way to those around us, those whom we encounter in life. We are to treat them in such a way as to make them feel good and warm hearted. If you have ever had a dispute with a next door neighbor or someone with whom you work, then you know how difficult this can be. Paul’s point, however, is that we should constantly be acting in such a way toward those around us that they will be impressed with the way Christians behave.

Application

Yet again, we see that the proper attitude of a follower of Christ is to be focused on the good of others rather than his or her own good. That’s what Jesus’ life was all about. He humbled himself and offered His perfect life on the cross for our sake, not His own. We need to emulate His life. Remember, you may be the only Bible that your neighbor will ever read! Do your neighbors see Jesus Christ in you?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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