Meaning:
(Edification is also teaching, in other words, the improvement of somebody's
mind or character,
to improve people's mind or character by teaching them! is to edify.
The ministry of teaching the word of God is a ministry
of the believers to the believers. The more one studies
the word of God, the more he is motivated to share with
others what he has learned.)
A. Those who are to edify:
1. Preachers (At 14:21; 1 Tm 6:2; 2 Tm 2:2,24-26).
2. Elders (1 Tm 3:2).
3. All Christians (Mt 28:19,20; At 5:42; 20:20; Hb
5:12).
4. Aged Christian women (Ti 2:3,4).
5. Parents (Dt 6:4-9; 11:18-20).
B. When and where to edify:
1. Every day (Lk 9:23; At 5:42).
2. Everywhere (At 5:42).
3. In religious centers (Mt 26:55; At 17:1-3; 18:4).
4. In educational centers (At 17:16ff).
5. In schools (At 19:8-10).
C. What to edify:
1. The truth (2 Tm 2:2; Hb 8:12).
2. The teachings of Jesus (Mt 28:20).
3. Good things (Ti 2:3).
4. Christian attitudes and behavior (1 Tm 4:6-11;
Ti 2:4,5).
5. God's law (Ps 119:12,26,66; 2 Jn 9).
6. The apostles' examples (1 Tm 1:3; 2 Th 2:15).
7. The Old Testament (Rm 15:4; 1 Co 10:11).
D. The teacher:
1. Must take heed to self (1 Tm 4:16).
2. Must discipline self (1 Co 9:27).
3. Must be knowledgeable of Bible (1 Tm 1:7).
4. Must realize great responsibility (Js 3:1).