The Greek word aúxēsis, represented by G838, signifies growth or increase. It is derived from the verb αὐξάνω (auxánō) and appears 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible. Both occurrences describe a specific kind of spiritual growth pertaining to the collective body of believers.
In its biblical usage, G838 is exclusively used to illustrate the growth of the church, which is described as a body. In Ephesians, the body, when "fitly joined together," maketh increase of itself unto its own "edifying" in love Ephesians 4:16. This growth is sourced from the Head. Similarly, Colossians describes the body being nourished and knit together, where it "increaseth with the increase of God" Colossians 2:19, emphasizing that the source of this growth is divine.
Several related words help clarify the concept of divinely-sourced growth:
- G837 auxánō (to grow ("wax"), i.e. enlarge (literal or figurative, active or passive):--grow (up), (give the) increase): As the root verb of aúxēsis, it is used to describe the action of the body's growth, which results in the "increase of God" Colossians 2:19.
- G4983 sōma (the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively:--bodily, body, slave): This is the subject that undergoes the aúxēsis, referring to the church as the body of Christ in both primary occurrences (Ephesians 4:16, Colossians 2:19).
- G2024 epichorēgía (from ἐπιχορηγέω; contribution:--supply): This term describes the means by which the body grows, through the supply furnished by every joint, leading to the body's increase Ephesians 4:16.
- G3619 oikodomḗ (feminine (abstract) of a compound of οἶκος and the base of δῶμα; architecture, i.e. (concretely) a structure; figuratively, confirmation:--building, edify(-ication, -ing)): This is the purpose of the increase, for the edifying of the body of Christ Ephesians 4:16.
The theological weight of G838 is significant for understanding ecclesiology, the doctrine of the church.
- Christ as the Source: The increase is not self-generated but flows from the Head, who is Christ. The body grows because of its connection to him (Colossians 2:19, Ephesians 4:16).
- Interdependent Growth: The increase of the body is a collective effort, achieved when it is "fitly joined together and compacted" Ephesians 4:16. Each part contributes according to its proper "measure" for the whole to grow.
- Divine Origin: The growth is explicitly called the "increase of God" Colossians 2:19, indicating that its nature, power, and origin are divine, not human. The body is nourished and supplied to facilitate this growth.
In summary, G838 is a precise term that defines the spiritual maturation of the church. It moves beyond a general idea of growth to describe a specific, divinely-sourced development that is dependent on Christ as the Head and the proper functioning of every member of the body. This increase results in the strengthening and "edifying" of the church in love.
TRV