Saturday, June 20, 2026
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).
If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?
Remember, “oikos” is Greek for “house” (cf. “oikonomia,” “house laws”). A kindred word is “oikodome,” as in “building/edifying,” erecting an edifice or structure or house; it is the opposite of tearing down. “For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification [‘oikodome’] and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:…” (2 Corinthians 10:8; cf. 2 Corinthians 13:10).
“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify [‘oikodome’] another” (Romans 14:19). “Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification [‘oikodome’]” (Romans 15:2). “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying [‘oikodome’] of the body of Christ:… From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying [‘oikodome’] of itself in love…. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying [‘oikodome’], that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:12,16,29). “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry [farm], ye are God’s building [‘oikodome’]” (1 Corinthians 3:9). “Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying [‘oikodome’]” (2 Corinthians 12:19). See also “edification… edifying… edifying… edifying” in 1 Corinthians 14:3,5,12,26.
“In whom [Jesus Christ] all the building [‘oikodome’] fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:21,22). Edification involves building or constructing an edifice or structure of doctrine in the inner man (soul and spirit), that that doctrine be the means whereby we believers in Christ function as God’s house or dwellingplace. Such an assembly or configuration can transpire only if we are aware of and are using the “oikonomia” (house rules, building instructions, or dispensation!) currently in force….
NOTE: In order to bring you a special study tomorrow, we will temporarily break away from this devotionals arc….
333 Words of Grace 