Word Study for G2026 (ἐποικοδομέω)

epoikodoméō /ep-oy-kod-om-eh'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ἐπί and οἰκοδομέω

Meaningto build upon, i.e. (figuratively) to rear up

KJV usagebuild thereon (thereupon, on, upon).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of epoikodoméō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word epoikodoméō, represented by G2026, means to build upon or, figuratively, to rear up. It is derived from ἐπί and οἰκοδομέω. This word appears 8 times in 7 unique verses in the Bible. Its core idea involves adding to an existing structure or foundation, often in a spiritual or metaphorical sense.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G2026 is used metaphorically to describe spiritual growth and the establishment of the church. Believers are called to be "building up yourselves on your most holy faith" Jude 1:20. This growth is established on a specific base, as seen in Ephesians, where believers are described as being "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone" Ephesians 2:20. The quality of what is built upon this foundation is also critical, as seen in the admonition to take heed how one "buildeth thereupon" 1 Corinthians 3:10.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the concept of spiritual construction:

G2310 themélios (something put down, i.e. a substruction (of a building, etc.), (literally or figuratively):--foundation): This is the base upon which one builds. Paul states that no one can lay any other foundation than Jesus Christ 1 Corinthians 3:11.
G753 architéktōn (a chief constructor, i.e. "architect":--masterbuilder): This term describes the one who lays the foundation. Paul identifies himself as a wise masterbuilder who laid the foundation upon which others build 1 Corinthians 3:10.
G4492 rhizóō (to root (figuratively, become stable):--root): Used alongside G2026, it emphasizes the source of stability for what is being built. Believers are to be "Rooted and built up in him" Colossians 2:7.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G2026 is centered on the believer's spiritual development and the church's formation.

The Unshakable Foundation: The act of "building upon" is always connected to a pre-existing foundation. This foundation is explicitly identified as Jesus Christ 1 Corinthians 3:11 and the teachings of the apostles and prophets Ephesians 2:20.
Continuous Spiritual Construction: Believers are actively involved in this building process. They are instructed to be "building up yourselves on your most holy faith" Jude 1:20 and to be "rooted and built up in him" Colossians 2:7. This implies a dynamic and ongoing spiritual growth.
Divine Empowerment and Inheritance: The ability to build up is a gift of God's grace through His word. This process leads to a promised "inheritance among all them which are sanctified" Acts 20:32.

Summary

In summary, G2026 is a key term for understanding Christian discipleship and ecclesiology. It moves beyond literal construction to a powerful metaphor for spiritual development. The word illustrates that faith is not a static state but a dynamic process of being built up on the singular foundation of Jesus Christ Ephesians 2:20. It emphasizes the responsibility of every believer to build carefully 1 Corinthians 3:10 and the power of God's word to accomplish this work, ultimately leading to an inheritance with the sanctified Acts 20:32.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 8 occurrences, inflected in 6 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 3×
Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Aorist Active Infinitive 1×
Aorist Passive Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
Present Passive Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 7 verses across 5 of the 27 books. Most frequent in 1 Corinthians (3 verses); never once in the other 22.

Acts

1 Corinthians

Ephesians

Colossians

Jude

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.