What Produces Edification?
Our Lord has specified what is to be used to produce edification. Peter said, “as newborn babes, desire the sincere mild of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Pet. 2:2). To grow up in Christ we must desire the word of God. To aid others in their process of growth we must take them the word or encourage them to spend time in study of the word. Paul said, “we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying” (2 Cor. 12:19). The activities of his life will illustrate the kinds of activities that promote spiritual growth. He went about preaching the gospel; confirming, or strengthening, the saints by exhorting them to continue in the faith (Acts 14:22); praying for the growth of the saints (Phil. 1:9-11); and writing to them to aid in their growth (cf. Eph. 3:1-ff). In each case Paul either made direct use of God’s word to build them up or prayed they would increase in their understanding of God’s word to be built up. Only through the word can we edify or be edified.
