### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun οἰκοδομία (oikodomía, `{{G3620}}`) is derived from the same root as οἰκοδομή (oikodomē, `{{G3619}}`), which means "building" or "edification." The word is a compound of οἶκος (oikos, `{{G3624}}`, "house") and δέμω (demō, "to build"). While οἰκοδομή often refers to the act of building or the structure itself, and metaphorically to the *process* or *result* of spiritual edification, οἰκοδομία carries a nuanced emphasis on the *effect* or *outcome* of such building up, specifically "confirmation" or "edifying." It denotes that which contributes to spiritual growth, stability, and strengthening within the believer or the community of faith. Its semantic range is tightly focused on the constructive and beneficial aspects of spiritual development.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term οἰκοδομία (oikodomía, `{{G3620}}`) appears in the New Testament in a single, though textually significant, instance: [[1 Timothy 1:4]]. The verse, in the King James Version, reads: "Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do."
It is crucial to note that the reading of οἰκοδομία in [[1 Timothy 1:4]] is found in the Textus Receptus and Majority Text traditions. However, many modern critical editions of the Greek New Testament (e.g., NA28, UBS5) prefer the reading οἰκονομία (oikonomia, `{{G3622}}`), meaning "stewardship" or "administration." This textual variant significantly impacts the precise meaning of the verse.
If οἰκοδομία is the correct reading, Paul's admonition contrasts "myths and endless genealogies" – which lead to unproductive "speculations" or "questions" – with "godly edification which is in faith." In this context, οἰκοδομία highlights the constructive, spiritual building-up that is the proper aim of Christian teaching and discourse. It emphasizes that the true purpose of faith is to foster spiritual growth and stability, rather than to engage in idle curiosity or divisive theological debates. The "edifying which is in faith" points to a process of spiritual strengthening that is rooted in and promoted by genuine faith in God.
### Related Words & Concepts
The term οἰκοδομία is intimately connected with a family of Greek words centered on the concept of "building":
* οἰκοδομή (oikodomē, `{{G3619}}`): This is the more common and broader noun, referring to the act of building, a structure, or, metaphorically, spiritual edification. οἰκοδομία can be seen as a specific nuance or emphasis of οἰκοδομή, perhaps highlighting the *result* or *effect* of edification.
* οἰκοδομέω (oikodomeō, `{{G3618}}`): The verb "to build" or "to edify." It describes the action of constructing, both literally and spiritually.
* οἶκος (oikos, `{{G3624}}`): The root word for "house" or "household," underscoring the foundational idea of building a dwelling place, which is then extended metaphorically to the spiritual "house" of God's people.
* οἰκονομία (oikonomia, `{{G3622}}`): "Stewardship," "administration," or "divine plan." As discussed, this word is a significant textual variant in [[1 Timothy 1:4]]. If οἰκονομία is read, the verse contrasts unproductive speculation with the practical administration or divine arrangement that comes by faith. The close phonetic and orthographic similarity between οἰκοδομία and οἰκονομία likely contributed to the textual uncertainty.
The concept of "edification" itself is central to Pauline theology, emphasizing the mutual building up of believers in love and truth (e.g., [[Ephesians 4:12]], [[Ephesians 4:16]], [[Romans 14:19]]).
### Theological Significance
If οἰκοδομία is understood as the intended reading in [[1 Timothy 1:4]], its theological significance is profound. It underscores the practical and constructive nature of true Christian faith and teaching. The Apostle Paul consistently emphasizes that the purpose of the gospel and sound doctrine is not to satisfy intellectual curiosity or promote divisive arguments, but to build up the body of Christ in spiritual maturity and unity.
This word highlights that genuine faith should lead to spiritual strengthening and growth, rather than to unproductive "speculations" (ζητήσεις, zētēseis). It implies a divine purpose for all Christian discourse and ministry: to confirm, solidify, and advance the spiritual well-being of believers. God's truth, when properly received and applied, builds up, whereas humanly devised fables and endless genealogies, by contrast, only generate questions and divisiveness. οἰκοδομία thus serves as a theological criterion for evaluating teaching: does it build up in faith, or does it merely lead to unproductive disputes?
### Summary
οἰκοδομία (oikodomía, `{{G3620}}`) refers to "edification" or "confirmation," emphasizing the spiritual building up and strengthening of believers. Its sole occurrence in the New Testament, [[1 Timothy 1:4]], is subject to a textual variant, with some manuscripts reading οἰκονομία (stewardship) instead. If οἰκοδομία is the original reading, the verse contrasts unproductive "myths and endless genealogies" with the "godly edifying which is in faith." This highlights the essential purpose of Christian teaching: to foster genuine spiritual growth and stability in believers, rather than to engage in idle or divisive speculation. The word underscores the constructive, faith-affirming nature of the gospel and the call for all Christian discourse to contribute to the spiritual maturity of God's people.
TRV