Things Whereby We May Edify One Another

This is the second article that I wrote for out student newspaper:

Things Whereby We May Edify One Another

J. K. Walters

In the world of Bible college, the student will often be required to defend or express his position either through papers or orally. As we get engrossed in the process of thorough research, detailed study, cogent argument, and concise expression, we may forget one of the primary reasons for our words: edifying or building up God’s Church, those who are fellow recipients of the grace and mercy of God.

We read, in 1 Corinthians 13.1-2, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. (2) And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” Surely it would be a sore pity to spend days researching, studying, and carefully constructing a convincing argument, and then for one’s argument to have the effect of a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

By emphasizing the edification of the reader of hearer, we do not mean in any way to minimize the importance of faithfulness to the Word. In fact, I think it is safe to say that infidelity concerning the Word will probably never edify the reader or hearer. The Scriptures themselves speak both of the importance of presenting correct exegesis and interpretation and of avoiding eisegesis or “going beyond the Word.”

On correct exegesis, in Titus 2.7-8, Paul writes, “in your teaching show integrity, dignity, (8) and sound speech that cannot be condemned …” Furthermore, he exhorts Timothy, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2Ti 2:15 ). The importance of “rightly handling the word of truth” is clear in these verses. But not only does one need to “rightly handling the word of truth”; it is also important to avoid going beyond what is written, or dogmatically insisting upon what is not taught in Scripture. In 1 Corinthians 4.6 we are instructed to “learn … not to go beyond what is written …” (cf. Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown’s commentary, in loc.: “Revere the silence of Holy Writ, as much as its declarations”). Again, in Tit. 1.9, Paul insists upon the importance of being sure to “hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught,” not “as we would like it to be written,” but rather “as taught.”

We see then that is our responsibility to carefully and faithfully handle the Word of God. But, and this is what we want to emphasize in this article, even the greatest amount of carefulness and faithfulness will be nothing without love. The exhortations to speak for the edification of the body are numerous in the Scriptures. Romans 14.19 says, “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” In Ephesians 4.29, it is commanded, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Paul says to the Colossians, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Col. 4.6). The Thessalonian believers are commanded thus: “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” (1 Thess. 5.11). In 2 Timothy 2.24-25, even the correcting of opponents (with gentleness) is hoped to result in “repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth” (cf. 1 Cor. 5.4-5). The verses quoted above are only some of a larger number of verses that speak about the importance of edifying the body of Christ (cf. also Rom. 15.2; 1 Cor. 14.26, 10.24; 2 Cor. 13.10).

So, in conclusion, whether we are writing or speaking, let us not be as noisy gongs or clanging cymbals, but rather, “let us follow after … things whereby we may edify one another” (Rom. 14.19).