Original Word: οἰκοδομή
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: oikodomé
Pronunciation: oy-kod-om-ay'
Phonetic Spelling: (oy-kod-om-ay')
KJV: building, edify(-ication, -ing)
NASB: building, edification, buildings, edifying, upbuilding
Word Origin: [feminine (abstract) of a compound of G3624 (οἶκος - house) and the base of G1430 (δῶμα - housetop)]

1. architecture
2. (concretely) a structure
3. (figuratively) confirmation

building, edification

Feminine (abstract) of a compound of oikos and the base of doma; architecture, i.e. (concretely) a structure; figuratively, confirmation -- building, edify(-ication, -ing).

see GREEK oikos

see GREEK doma

Cognate: 3619 oikodomḗ – properly, a building (edifice) serving as a home; (figuratively) constructive criticism and instruction that builds a person up to be the suitable dwelling place of God, i.e. where the Lord is "at home." See 3618 (oikodemeō).

Word Origin
from oikos and the same as dóma
Definition
(the act of) building, a building
NASB Translation
building (8), buildings (3), edification (5), edifying (1), upbuilding (1).

STRONGS NT 3619: οἰκοδομή

οἰκοδομή, οἰκοδομῆς, ἡ (οἶκος, and δέμω to build), a later Greek word, condemned by Phryn., yet used by Aristotle, Theophrastus, ((but both these thought to be doubtful)), Diodorus (1, 46), Philo (vit. Moys. i. § 40; de monarch. ii. § 2), Josephus, Plutarch, the Sept., and many others, for οἰκοδόμημα and οἰκοδόμησις; cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 481ff, cf. p. 421; (Winer's Grammar, 24);

1. (the act of) building, building up, equivalent to τό οἰκοδομεῖν; as, τῶν τειχέων, 1 Macc. 16:23; τοῦ οἴκου τοῦ Θεοῦ, 1 Chronicles 26:27; in the N. T. metaphorically, "edifying, edification, i. e. the act of one who promotes another's growth in Christian wisdom, piety, holiness, happiness" (see οἰκοδομέω, b. β'. (cf. Winer's Grammar, 35 (34))): Romans 14:19; Romans 15:2; (1 Corinthians 14:26); 2 Corinthians 10:8 (see below); ; Ephesians 4:29; with a genitive of the person whose growth is furthered, ὑμῶν, 2 Corinthians 12:19 (cf. 10:8); ἑαυτοῦ (Tdf. αὐτοῦ), Ephesians 4:16; τοῦ σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ, Ephesians 4:12; τῆς ἐκκλησίας, 1 Corinthians 14:12; equivalent to τό ὀικοδομουν, what contributes to edification, or augments wisdom, etc. λαλεῖν, λαβεῖν, οἰκοδομήν, 1 Corinthians 14:3, 5.

2. equivalent to οἰκοδόμημα, a building (i. e. thing built, edifice): Mark 13:1f; τοῦ ἱεροῦ, Matthew 24:1; used of the heavenly body, the abode of the soul after death, 2 Corinthians 5:1; tropically, of a body of Christians, a Christian church (see οἰκοδομέω, b. β'.), Ephesians 2:21 (cf. πᾶς, I. 1 c.); with a genitive of the owner or occupant, Θεοῦ, 1 Corinthians 3:9.

Meaning and Range of Usage

The noun οἰκοδομή (Strong’s 3619) moves along a spectrum from a literal “structure made with stones” to the figurative “edification, spiritual strengthening.” The New Testament uses it eighteen times, allowing both facets to illuminate one another: what once described Jerusalem’s visible temple comes to denote the invisible temple of Christ’s people.

Literal Buildings and Prophetic Warning (Mark 13:1–2; Matthew 24:1)

When the disciples marveled at “the large stones and magnificent buildings” (Mark 13:1), οἰκοδομή pointed to Herod’s grand complex. Jesus’ declaration—“Not one stone will be left on another” (Mark 13:2)—transferred attention from architectural splendor to impending judgment. Thus the first evangelists anchor the term in redemptive history: physical structures, however imposing, cannot secure covenant blessing if they house unbelief.

God’s People as His Building (1 Corinthians 3:9; Ephesians 2:21)

Paul pivots the word from masonry to ministry: “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9). Christ is both foundation and cornerstone; apostles and prophets lay doctrinal footings; every believer becomes a “living stone” in the rising house. “In Him the whole building, fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord” (Ephesians 2:21). Here οἰκοδομή marks the corporate identity of the church, replacing the now-judged temple with a Spirit-indwelt community.

Edification as the Aim of Christian Conduct (Romans 14:19; 15:2)

Within the fellowship, believers pursue what “leads to peace and to mutual edification” (Romans 14:19). The term supplies an ethical criterion: if an action tears down a brother’s conscience, it violates the very purpose of freedom. Similarly, “Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up” (Romans 15:2). Edification is not mere self-improvement but covenantal responsibility toward one another’s spiritual stability.

Word-Based Edification in Corporate Worship (1 Corinthians 14)

Five occurrences in this chapter frame Paul’s regulation of tongues and prophecy. Prophecy “speaks to people for their strengthening” (verse 3); uninterpreted tongues do not “build up the church” (verse 12). Every element of gathered worship should contribute “for building up” (verse 26). Thus οἰκοδομή becomes the yardstick by which gifts are evaluated: intelligible, truth-filled communication that promotes understanding outweighs ecstatic expression void of comprehension.

Gifts, Growth, and Unity (Ephesians 4:12, 16)

Christ gives apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers “to equip the saints for works of ministry, to build up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12). As every ligament supplies grace, “the body grows and builds itself up in love” (verse 16). Edification is organic and relational; doctrinal integrity and loving service cooperate to mature the church into the stature of her Head.

Speech that Builds, Not Destroys (Ephesians 4:29)

“Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up others according to their needs.” The tongue functions as a mason: it can either reinforce or erode faith-structures. Edifying speech transmits grace, modeling the creative power of God’s Word.

Apostolic Authority for Building Up (2 Corinthians 10:8; 12:19; 13:10)

Paul repeatedly reminds the Corinthians that his God-given authority exists “for building you up, not for tearing you down.” True spiritual leadership does not dominate but constructs, shaping lives into alignment with Christ’s blueprint. This principle guards both shepherd and flock: correction is restorative, never vindictive.

The Eternal House Awaiting Believers (2 Corinthians 5:1)

“We know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven.” Here οἰκοδομή points beyond ecclesiology to eschatology. The resurrection body—imperishable, Spirit-animated—will surpass the transience of the present dwelling. The metaphor bridges present ministry (building the church) with future hope (God’s completed architecture).

Practical Ministry Implications

1. Evaluate every program, sermon, and conversation by the edification metric: Does it establish believers more firmly in Christ?
2. Prioritize intelligible, Scripture-saturated proclamation; spiritual experiences devoid of truth cannot edify.
3. Exercise authority humbly, aiming at the strengthening of consciences, not the consolidation of personal power.
4. Foster unity and growth through diverse gifts working in concert, remembering that the Builder supplies both grace and growth.
5. Encourage the weary with the promise of an incorruptible house, motivating perseverance and holiness.

In each text οἰκοδομή gathers the scattered stones of God’s people into a single, living sanctuary, anticipating the day when every scaffolding of weakness will give way to the perfect, eternal habitation of God with His redeemed.

οικοδομαι οικοδομαί οἰκοδομαί οικοδομας οικοδομάς οἰκοδομάς οἰκοδομὰς οικοδομη οικοδομή οἰκοδομή οἰκοδομὴ οικοδομην οικοδομήν οἰκοδομήν οἰκοδομὴν οικοδομης οικοδομής οἰκοδομῆς oikodomai oikodomaí oikodomas oikodomás oikodomàs oikodome oikodomē oikodomḗ oikodomḕ oikodomen oikodomēn oikodomḗn oikodomḕn oikodomes oikodomês oikodomēs oikodomē̂sInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts