A continuing series by guest writer Lucas Ward.
Having discussed the most basic, all-pervading âone anotherâ command, to love one another, letâs move on to some of the more specific ways we show that love for each other. Some of the âone anotherâ passages that easily group themselves for discussion are those which teach us to edify, exhort and admonish each other: Rom. 14:9, 1 Thess. 5:11, Heb. 3:13, Heb. 10:24, Rom. 15:14, and Col. 3:16. First, letâs discuss what these commands mean.
To edify just means to build up. An edifice is a building, to edify is to build. The Greek word is oikodomeo which means *gasp* to build up. No surprises here. The only other way the word is ever used is if it is literally referring to the construction trade. When we are commanded to edify, we are being commanded to build our fellow Christianâs faith & character.
To exhort, according to Websterâs New Collegiate Dictionary, is to urge strongly, to make urgent appeals, to give warnings or advice. The Greek is parakaleo. This word is translated âexhortâ 19 times in the KJV, âbeseechâ 43 times and âentreatâ three times. So the idea of urging and making urgent appeals seems to hold. However, the word is also translated âcomfortâ 23 times, which might seem odd until you realize that the ESV translates the word âencourageâ pretty uniformly. Which makes sense, because when someone is feeling down, we encourage (comfort) them, but when someone isnât achieving as they should, we encourage (exhort) them to do better. So you can see how the same word can fit in both situations. The meaning of the command to us seems to be to urge our brethren to be what they ought to be.
To admonish is to indicate duties and obligations. To express warning or disapproval especially in a gentle, earnest or solicitous manner. The Greek is noutheteo which means to put in mind of or to remind of something which fits well with the idea of reminding Christians of their duties and also reminding/warning them of the eternal consequences of sin. Notice two things about the English definition: the manner is to be gentle and earnest, and disapproval can be expressed. Is disapproval really a part of Christian life? Well, if we are trying to live pure and holy lives before the Lord, then there are things that we canât approve of. But disapproval doesnât mean hatred of the individual. 2 Thess. 3:14-15, âAnd if any man obeys not our word by this epistle, note that man, that ye have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed. And yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.â We canât approve of his actions. If he continues in them, we are to have nothing to do with him. But this isnât the result of hate, but of brotherly love: we admonish him with the hope of his repentance. He is not an enemy, but a brother being admonished. So, to admonish our brethren is to remind them of their Christian duties and/or gently warn them of temptations and sins.
Ok, so how do I do this? How do I edify, exhort, and admonish (EE&A)? The first thing to note is that I canât if Iâm too busy condemning my brother. In Romans 14 Paul is writing to a church that is fighting over the permissibility of eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols. Some believed wholeheartedly that it was a sin. The rest of the church laughed at them for being silly. Both sides were quick to judge, in the sense of passing sentence on the other side. Paul told them in vs 13 âLet us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumbling-block in his brother's way, or an occasion of falling.â Rather than judging, they needed to make sure they werenât hurting their brothers. Why? vs 17 âfor the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.â The Church was a lot more important than just eating and drinking. Righteousness, peace and joy were far more important. Therefore, vs 19 âSo then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another.â Instead of condemning each other, the Roman Christians should have been finding ways to make peace and to edify one another. I canât very well build my brother up if Iâm busy tearing him down, now can I?
To properly EE&A, I must also be fully aware of the dangers of sin. The Hebrew writer says in 3:13 âbut exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called To-day; lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sinâ. Sin is tricky. It doesnât seem all that bad. âI can put just my toe across the line, and Iâll still be ok.â Soon, my whole foot is across the line, and before I know it, Iâm standing several yards beyond the line. It keeps sneaking up on you, and never seems that bad. And it hardens you, leading to, as verse 12 calls it, an âevil heart of unbelief.â The more you live in sin, the more you donât want to listen to or believe the Word of God. Which is why we need to urgently warn our brothers and sisters about sin. Growing up in the piney woods of North Central Florida, I quickly learned to look down at the ground whenever I ventured into the woods. Snakes, especially rattlesnakes, have an uncanny knack for blending into the background. The patterns on their backs make them look just like a pile of dead leaves unless you know what to look for. Whenever we would hike as a group, anyone who saw a snake would immediately warn everyone else in the party. As Christians, we need to know that sin is far more dangerous than any poisonous viper and yell out warnings as we see our brethren nearing danger.
To EE&A, I also must be full of goodness and filled with knowledge. Romans 15:14 âAnd I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.â Paul was sure they could handle their own admonishment precisely because they were full of goodness and filled with knowledge. Which makes sense. How can I build my brother up according to Godâs word if I donât know Godâs word? How can I urge him to his duties if I donât know what God says his duties are? But knowledge alone can be dangerous. Note 1 Cor. 8:1-3: âNow concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. If any man thinks that he knows anything, he knows not yet as he ought to know; but if any man loves God, the same is known by him.â Knowledge alone can lead to false pride and damage done. Which is why Paul also says that the Romans were âfull of goodnessâ. This is analogous to the love he mentions to the Corinthians. Knowledge, directed by love and goodness, leads to proper EE&A.
Furthering the discussion of the need for knowledge, look at Col 3:16 âLet the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God.â The word is to dwell in you. It is not an occasional visitor; it lives in you. We read and think about it regularly. This leads to teaching and admonishing âin all wisdomâ. As mentioned in Romans and 1 Corinthians, knowledge alone isnât enough. It is to be guided by love, goodness and wisdom. And see how this teaching is done? Through the songs we sing. We often think of the song service as purely praise to God, and it does contain a lot of that, but it is also a great avenue for teaching. If we actually pay attention to what we say, we can be greatly built up and exhorted by the songs we sing. Think about âPrepare to Meet thy Godâ: âCareless soul, why will you linger wandering from the fold of God. . .â Or âAlmost Persuadedâ: âSad, sad that bitter wail âalmost, but lostââ. How about âTake Time to be Holyâ? âspeak oft with thy Lord; abide in Him always and feed on His word.â Or âI Want to Be a Worker for the Lordâ or. . . Songs can be powerful. At thirteen, singing the phrase âLord come quicklyâ made me wonder if I really wanted Him to come back quickly right then and led directly to me discussing baptism with my parents. Songs are a tool for teaching and admonishment and, given that, song leaders need to take care how they choose the songs we sing.
In order to EE&A, we must also consider one another. Heb. 10:24 âand let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good worksâ. The ESV says âto stir up one anotherâ. While the word isnât used here, isnât stirring up or provoking to good works the definition of exhortation. (Which word is used in the next verse.) But to do it, I have to consider my brethren. I have to think about them. I have to figure out what each of them needs and how I can best help them. If I never think about my brother, how am I supposed to know how to help him out? We are supposed to be a family that helps each other, not a group that meets a couple of times a week. To be the former, we must take the time and make the effort to consider each other. Also, note the verses preceding vs 24. We are told that Christ has opened a way for us into the Holy Place. The Hebrew writer says that we should therefore 1) draw near with true hearts and full faith, 2) hold fast to our confession, and 3) consider one another. The way to heaven is open, and my job is to walk through the door and bring along as many of my brethren as I possibly can. Draw near, hold fast (thatâs me getting there) and consider one another (dragging them along with me). That leads into my final point, that we . . .
EE&A with the knowledge that salvation is already won. 1 Thess. 5:9-11 âFor God appointed us not into wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do.â He died for us so we could live with Him. We are not appointed to wrath, but to salvation. âWhereforeâ or with that in mind, exhort and edify one another. The door has already been opened. We only have to walk through. The way can be hard, sometimes, and we need to encourage each other with the knowledge that the hardships of this life are temporary. We are appointed to salvation. We just have to keep going.
âWherefore exhort one another, and build each other upâ
Lucas Ward
Having discussed the most basic, all-pervading âone anotherâ command, to love one another, letâs move on to some of the more specific ways we show that love for each other. Some of the âone anotherâ passages that easily group themselves for discussion are those which teach us to edify, exhort and admonish each other: Rom. 14:9, 1 Thess. 5:11, Heb. 3:13, Heb. 10:24, Rom. 15:14, and Col. 3:16. First, letâs discuss what these commands mean.
To edify just means to build up. An edifice is a building, to edify is to build. The Greek word is oikodomeo which means *gasp* to build up. No surprises here. The only other way the word is ever used is if it is literally referring to the construction trade. When we are commanded to edify, we are being commanded to build our fellow Christianâs faith & character.
To exhort, according to Websterâs New Collegiate Dictionary, is to urge strongly, to make urgent appeals, to give warnings or advice. The Greek is parakaleo. This word is translated âexhortâ 19 times in the KJV, âbeseechâ 43 times and âentreatâ three times. So the idea of urging and making urgent appeals seems to hold. However, the word is also translated âcomfortâ 23 times, which might seem odd until you realize that the ESV translates the word âencourageâ pretty uniformly. Which makes sense, because when someone is feeling down, we encourage (comfort) them, but when someone isnât achieving as they should, we encourage (exhort) them to do better. So you can see how the same word can fit in both situations. The meaning of the command to us seems to be to urge our brethren to be what they ought to be.
To admonish is to indicate duties and obligations. To express warning or disapproval especially in a gentle, earnest or solicitous manner. The Greek is noutheteo which means to put in mind of or to remind of something which fits well with the idea of reminding Christians of their duties and also reminding/warning them of the eternal consequences of sin. Notice two things about the English definition: the manner is to be gentle and earnest, and disapproval can be expressed. Is disapproval really a part of Christian life? Well, if we are trying to live pure and holy lives before the Lord, then there are things that we canât approve of. But disapproval doesnât mean hatred of the individual. 2 Thess. 3:14-15, âAnd if any man obeys not our word by this epistle, note that man, that ye have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed. And yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.â We canât approve of his actions. If he continues in them, we are to have nothing to do with him. But this isnât the result of hate, but of brotherly love: we admonish him with the hope of his repentance. He is not an enemy, but a brother being admonished. So, to admonish our brethren is to remind them of their Christian duties and/or gently warn them of temptations and sins.
Ok, so how do I do this? How do I edify, exhort, and admonish (EE&A)? The first thing to note is that I canât if Iâm too busy condemning my brother. In Romans 14 Paul is writing to a church that is fighting over the permissibility of eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols. Some believed wholeheartedly that it was a sin. The rest of the church laughed at them for being silly. Both sides were quick to judge, in the sense of passing sentence on the other side. Paul told them in vs 13 âLet us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumbling-block in his brother's way, or an occasion of falling.â Rather than judging, they needed to make sure they werenât hurting their brothers. Why? vs 17 âfor the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.â The Church was a lot more important than just eating and drinking. Righteousness, peace and joy were far more important. Therefore, vs 19 âSo then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another.â Instead of condemning each other, the Roman Christians should have been finding ways to make peace and to edify one another. I canât very well build my brother up if Iâm busy tearing him down, now can I?
To properly EE&A, I must also be fully aware of the dangers of sin. The Hebrew writer says in 3:13 âbut exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called To-day; lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sinâ. Sin is tricky. It doesnât seem all that bad. âI can put just my toe across the line, and Iâll still be ok.â Soon, my whole foot is across the line, and before I know it, Iâm standing several yards beyond the line. It keeps sneaking up on you, and never seems that bad. And it hardens you, leading to, as verse 12 calls it, an âevil heart of unbelief.â The more you live in sin, the more you donât want to listen to or believe the Word of God. Which is why we need to urgently warn our brothers and sisters about sin. Growing up in the piney woods of North Central Florida, I quickly learned to look down at the ground whenever I ventured into the woods. Snakes, especially rattlesnakes, have an uncanny knack for blending into the background. The patterns on their backs make them look just like a pile of dead leaves unless you know what to look for. Whenever we would hike as a group, anyone who saw a snake would immediately warn everyone else in the party. As Christians, we need to know that sin is far more dangerous than any poisonous viper and yell out warnings as we see our brethren nearing danger.
To EE&A, I also must be full of goodness and filled with knowledge. Romans 15:14 âAnd I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.â Paul was sure they could handle their own admonishment precisely because they were full of goodness and filled with knowledge. Which makes sense. How can I build my brother up according to Godâs word if I donât know Godâs word? How can I urge him to his duties if I donât know what God says his duties are? But knowledge alone can be dangerous. Note 1 Cor. 8:1-3: âNow concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. If any man thinks that he knows anything, he knows not yet as he ought to know; but if any man loves God, the same is known by him.â Knowledge alone can lead to false pride and damage done. Which is why Paul also says that the Romans were âfull of goodnessâ. This is analogous to the love he mentions to the Corinthians. Knowledge, directed by love and goodness, leads to proper EE&A.
Furthering the discussion of the need for knowledge, look at Col 3:16 âLet the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God.â The word is to dwell in you. It is not an occasional visitor; it lives in you. We read and think about it regularly. This leads to teaching and admonishing âin all wisdomâ. As mentioned in Romans and 1 Corinthians, knowledge alone isnât enough. It is to be guided by love, goodness and wisdom. And see how this teaching is done? Through the songs we sing. We often think of the song service as purely praise to God, and it does contain a lot of that, but it is also a great avenue for teaching. If we actually pay attention to what we say, we can be greatly built up and exhorted by the songs we sing. Think about âPrepare to Meet thy Godâ: âCareless soul, why will you linger wandering from the fold of God. . .â Or âAlmost Persuadedâ: âSad, sad that bitter wail âalmost, but lostââ. How about âTake Time to be Holyâ? âspeak oft with thy Lord; abide in Him always and feed on His word.â Or âI Want to Be a Worker for the Lordâ or. . . Songs can be powerful. At thirteen, singing the phrase âLord come quicklyâ made me wonder if I really wanted Him to come back quickly right then and led directly to me discussing baptism with my parents. Songs are a tool for teaching and admonishment and, given that, song leaders need to take care how they choose the songs we sing.
In order to EE&A, we must also consider one another. Heb. 10:24 âand let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good worksâ. The ESV says âto stir up one anotherâ. While the word isnât used here, isnât stirring up or provoking to good works the definition of exhortation. (Which word is used in the next verse.) But to do it, I have to consider my brethren. I have to think about them. I have to figure out what each of them needs and how I can best help them. If I never think about my brother, how am I supposed to know how to help him out? We are supposed to be a family that helps each other, not a group that meets a couple of times a week. To be the former, we must take the time and make the effort to consider each other. Also, note the verses preceding vs 24. We are told that Christ has opened a way for us into the Holy Place. The Hebrew writer says that we should therefore 1) draw near with true hearts and full faith, 2) hold fast to our confession, and 3) consider one another. The way to heaven is open, and my job is to walk through the door and bring along as many of my brethren as I possibly can. Draw near, hold fast (thatâs me getting there) and consider one another (dragging them along with me). That leads into my final point, that we . . .
EE&A with the knowledge that salvation is already won. 1 Thess. 5:9-11 âFor God appointed us not into wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do.â He died for us so we could live with Him. We are not appointed to wrath, but to salvation. âWhereforeâ or with that in mind, exhort and edify one another. The door has already been opened. We only have to walk through. The way can be hard, sometimes, and we need to encourage each other with the knowledge that the hardships of this life are temporary. We are appointed to salvation. We just have to keep going.
âWherefore exhort one another, and build each other upâ
Lucas Ward
Comments