Built up (2026) (epoikodomeo from epà = upon, Vincent says it indicates the placing of one layer upon another + oikodomeo [from oikos = house + domeo = to build] = build a house) literally means to build upon something already built, "adding to the foundation of a building" (Friberg-Analytical Lexicon), "to build further" (TDNT), to erect a superstructure (an entity, concept, or complex based on a more fundamental one) which is the metaphorical use in 1Co 3:10, Ep 2:20). Epoikodomeo is used figuratively meaning to build up spiritually, to edify or to promote the growth of Christian character (Col 2:7, Jude 1:20). The papyri afford the following example, “build on it (a sound foundation) your firmness and unshaken resolve” (Moulton and Milligan). Uses of epoikodomeo in Ancient Greek writings (from Liddell-Scott)... Upon this foundation was built a wall of brick, fifty feet in breadth and a hundred in height; and the circuit of the wall was six parasangs (parasang = an ancient unit of about four miles). (Xenophon in Seven Volumes, 3) And when the king had built an idol altar upon God’s Altar, he slew swine upon it, (Josephus Ant. 12, 253) (of a tower) the building of it was to be continued (Hermas Similitude) BDAG says here in Colossians (and Acts 20:32) the idea is "to engage in a building process of personal and corporate development." Enhanced Strong's Lexicon... To finish the structure of which the foundation has already been laid, to give constant increase in Christian knowledge and in a life conformed thereto. Louw Nida on the semantic domain consisting of oikodomeo, epoikodomeo, oikodome says the idea is... to increase the potential of someone or something, with focus upon the process involved—‘to strengthen, to make more able, to build up.’ (Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament : Based on Semantic Domains) Thayer's Lexicon... ‘to finish the structure of which the foundation has already been laid,’ i.e. in plain language, to give constant increase in Christian knowledge and in a life conformed thereto (Acts 20:32)...with the pass., in fellowship with Christ to grow in spiritual life, (Col. 2:7)....Jude 20, where the sense is, ‘resting on your most holy faith as a foundation, make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher.’ The 1828 Webster's says edify means to "To instruct and improve the mind in knowledge generally, and particularly in moral and religious knowledge, in faith and holiness." Epoikodomeo - 7x in 6v - 1Co 3:10, 12, 14; Eph 2:20; Col 2:7; Jude 1:20 and is rendered by the NAS as building(2), builds(2), built(4). (Note Textus Receptus uses epoikodomeo in Acts 20:32) GOD'S POWERFUL WORD OF GRACE Acts 20:32 (Paul is addressing the Ephesian elders) And now I commend you (paratithemi = entrust you to care and protection) to God (Always first to God!) and to the Word of His grace, which is able (dunamai in the present tense = continually able) to build you up (epoikodomeo) and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Comment: Note that in the NASB (from NA27) the verb is oikodomeo, but in the KJV which uses the Textus Receptus the verb is epoikodomeo. Either way, the principle is powerful. What has the inherent power or ability to build up a saint? (in context Paul was addressing the elders at Ephesus but clearly the application is to all Christ followers) The "Word of His grace", a beautiful and poignant description of the precious and powerful logos from the lips of God to undeserving sinners like us! It bespeaks of His great grace. The logos speaks grace into our lives! No wonder grace is so amazing! Grace is a multicolored word with the divine blessings generally falling into one of two categories, either His privileges to saints or His power for saints, the power to live and grow in Christlikeness (transforming power as in 2Ti 2:1-note and 2Cor 12:9-note where the "power" is dunamis = inherent ability to accomplish some task; dunamis describes resurrection power [Ep 1:18, 19], the very power that is available to every believer through the "Spirit of grace" [Heb 10:29] Who indwells us [Ro 8:9] in order to give us power for living and ministry just as He did for Jesus in Luke 4:14!). So we are continually built up with His Word and thereby grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. (2Pe 3:18-note, cp 1Pe 2:1-note, 1Pe 2, 3-note) John R de Witt once said - The sermon which is the richest, most profitable, instructive and edifying is the one which is fullest of the Lord Jesus Christ. Henry Law - Eternal love devised the plan; eternal wisdom drew the model; eternal grace comes down to build it. 1Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful (blepo in the present imperative = command to continually keep looking with the idea in this context of taking heed regarding one's Christian works or ministry) how he builds on it....12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,...14 If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man's work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire." Comment: Here we see the vital truth that all our Christian work and ministry must be "built upon" Christ. Paul emphasizes the importance of the correct "building code" and the consequences of utilizing "cheap" building materials. While addressed primarily to preachers and evangelists, the principle is applicable to all believers and their work for the glory of the Lord. If our work is not built upon Christ, we will not be rewarded by Christ at the Bema Seat (2Cor 5:10-note). The truth of future reward was one a great motivation for Paul and should be for us as well. MacArthur qualifies this by noting that "It was not that he wanted glory or honor for himself, or wanted to prove himself better than other Christians, showing them up in Christian service. He wanted the Lord’s highest reward because that would be the most pleasing to the Lord Himself, and would most graphically demonstrate his grateful love." (See The Judgment of the Believer's Works) What does it mean to build on Christ? If we are abiding in the Vine (Jn 15:5), filled with, controlled by the Spirit of Christ (Eph 5:18-note), and walk by the Spirit (Gal 5:16-note), the Spirit will help us, lead us and guide us (Jn 14:16, 26, into those works which were prepared beforehand (Ep 2:10-note) and which will glorify Jesus Christ (Jn 16:14). Works that we do must point to Christ, elevate Christ, glorify Christ. Ephesians 2:20-note (God's household ~ a family) having been built on (past completed action) the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone (akrogoniaios) Comment: Writing to the Ephesians Paul reminded them that the church was not a physical building but a body of individuals "having built upon (epoikodomeo) the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone (akrogoniaios), in Whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; in Whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. (Ep 2:20-note, Eph 2:21, 22-note) Fred Beck - You can't build a church with stumbling blocks. (Which are you in you to the body of Christ - an edifying block or a stumbling block?) Donald Grey Barnhouse - (The household of God) The church of Jesus Christ is not a building where people come together for a religious service, but it is a gathering of people who come together in order to worship God and to build each other by mutual faith and strength. D L Moody - The best way to revive a church is to build a fire in the pulpit. Colossians 2:7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and (continually being) established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. Comment: Note that firmly rooted is in the perfect tense, which describes past completed action with ongoing effect. They were "rooted" in Christ in the past and remain rooted in Him! The perfect tense speaks of permanence of their "rooting" which should encourage you if you wrestle with the teaching (with which I do not believe is Scripturally sound doctrine) that you can lose your salvation. Jude 1:20 But (Jude contrasts believing readers with false teachers) you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit Comment: Building up is in the present tense signifying continuous "edification" and the active voice identifies this as a choice we must make. The verb tense pictures the building as a process (not an arrival in this lifetime!), i.e., sanctification, progressive growth in Christ-like character. Note also our body is a "temple" of the Holy Spirit 1Cor 3:16. "Faith" in this context is not the faith we personally exercised in our salvation but "the faith" or Gospel teaching about Jesus and His gift of the Spirit, the truths were once for all delivered to the saints in Jude 1:3. This is the foundation upon which they [we] are building Regarding the description of the faith as "holy" Mayor says “The faith here is called ‘most holy’ because it comes to us from God, and reveals God to us, and because it is by its means that man is made righteous, and enabled to overcome the world.” In the Holy Spirit - contrast the description of false teachers as "devoid of the Spirit" Jude 1:19. In this lifelong "construction project", believers are in continual need of the help of the Helper, the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:16, 26, 15:26, 16:7), and one aspect of praying in the Spirit is crying out to Him in times of seemingly overwhelming trials/temptations. Remember that He is for us in the moments of great temptation - don't forget about His presence and His power to help you whether the "storm"! See notes on Heb 2:18 specifically the phrase "come to the aid of") Being built up is present tense which pictures a continuous process (which would equate with "sanctification" or "present tense salvation" ~ being saved every day). The passive voice ("divine passive") pictures the effective force that brings about this "building up" as coming from without, specifically implying as from God's Spirit Who transforms us from glory to glory (2Cor 3:18-note). Don't misunderstand - this truth of God growing us does not justify the phrase "Let go and Let God." It by no means liberates the saint from daily making "holy" decisions. This basic principle which regarding spiritual growth in grace and Christ likeness is summed up in the letter to the Philippians where Paul encourages them So then (based upon the truths in (Phil 2:1-11) , my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling (man's responsibility) for it is God who is at work in you, (God's role) both to will and to work for His good pleasure." (Php 2:12, 13-see note Php 2:12; 13) Jerry Bridges refers to the spiritual dynamic in verses such as Philippians 2:12-13 as "qualified synergism": The Bible teaches that the Spirit applies his power to our lives in two different ways. The first we call his synergistic work, which refers to occasions that combine our effort with his enabling power. But this isn’t a pure synergism, as if we and the Spirit each contributed equal power to the task. Rather, we work as he enables us to work, so we use the expression qualified synergism. We’re 100 percent dependent on his power in order to participate in the work, as the psalmist illustrated: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (Psalm 127:1). Two activities are mentioned: building a house and watching over a city. The Lord’s involvement isn’t one of helping but of building the house and watching over the city. At the same time, the builder builds and the watchman watches. The verse’s message is that the Lord doesn’t merely help the builder and the watchman; he’s totally involved with them in this qualified synergism. He supplies all the enabling power, and they do all the tangible work. There are many such examples in the New Testament. We’re to “put to death the deeds of the body” —the sin that remains in us—yet we do so “by the Spirit” (Romans 8:13). We’re to use the spiritual gifts we’ve received to serve God and other people, yet we do so “by the strength that God supplies” (1Pe 4:10, 11). Perhaps we see this qualified synergism most clearly in Philippians 2:12—13...In this sentence, Paul refers to work three times. We are to work—to apply ourselves with utmost seriousness and vigilance. But we’re to do so with the recognition that God provides us with both the motivation (the will) and the power (the work) to obey. Toward the end of this letter, after describing how he’d learned to be content in any and every circumstance, Paul summed up the concept of qualified synergism with a sweeping, dramatic statement: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13). We’re fully and wholeheartedly engaged in the work as the Spirit’s enabling power works in us. (from The Bookends of the Christian Life [ebook] or Hardcover co-authored by Jerry Bridges and Bob Bevington - I highly recommend this excellent book which deals with the practical Christian life in easy to understand language which is also sound doctrinally!) Jesus used a similar metaphor of building in the conclusion of His "Sermon on the Mount" declaring that everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock. (Mt 7:24, 25-notes) C S Lewis - Never, never pin your whole faith on any human being; not if he is the best and wisest in the whole world. There are lots of nice things you can do with sand; but do not try building a house on it. Peter reminded the saints undergoing various trials that they had come to Him (Jesus) as to a Living Stone, rejected by men, but choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up (oikodomeo = present tense - continually, passive voice - being, action or power for building up coming from outside source, the Spirit of God) as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture: "BEHOLD I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." (1Pe 2:4, 5, 6- notes 1Pe 2:4; 2:5; 2:6) In Him - Christ is the solid rock, the firm foundation. (Related Resource: Scriptures & chart - Christ, the Rock, the Stone) In Him not "upon Him" as might have been expected. In this and in Ephesians (Eph 2:20), Christ is represented as the sphere within which the building goes on. (See comments on In Christ and in Christ Jesus) John Eadie comments the main ideas are stability and growth—the root, “in Him,” beyond the possibility of eradication; and the growth that of a symmetrical structure, which, “in Him,” has its unshaken foundation." (Commentary on Gk Text of the Epistle of Paul to Colossians) Vine comments the distinct metaphors are those of planting and building ( cp. 1Cor 3:9; Eph 3:17-note). They suggest, (a) firmness, and fixity, (b) established development and coherence. There is a noticeable change of tenses in the two verbs in the original. That rendered “rooted” is in the perfect tense, lit. , “having been rooted,” an act accomplished once for all with permanent results; that rendered “builded up” is in the present tense, indicating a constant process from day to day. The “in Him” is repeated at the end of the whole clause as at the beginning, lit. , “in Him walk ye, rooted and builded up in Him,” thus laying stress upon what Christ is to be in our life. (Vine, W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson ) Barclay adds that there are two pictures here. The word used for rooted is the word which would be used of a tree with its roots deep in the soil. The word used for built is the word which would be used of a house erected on a firm foundation. Just as the great tree is deep-rooted in the soil and draws its nourishment from it, so the Christian is rooted in Christ, the source of his life and strength. Just as the house stands fast because it is built on strong foundations, so the Christian life is resistant to any storm because it is founded on the strength of Christ. Christ is alike the source of the Christian’s life and the foundation of his stability. (Barclay, W: The Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press) AND ESTABLISHED IN YOUR FAITH: kai bebaioumenoi (PPPMPN) en te pistei: (Col 1:23; 1Cor 15:58; ; 2Thes 2:17; 1Pe 5:10; 2Pe 3:17, 18; Jude 1:24) and constantly being established with reference to the Faith (Wuest) becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith (Amp)