Edify
Definition: to instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge
Why I Looked It Up
A sign at my church (image at right) quoted 1 Corinthians 8:1. Here’s the verse from the NIV:
Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.
And here’s the New King James:
Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
The sign in question was about my church’s work in Ethiopia, where we’ve built a school. I assume the implication is that “love for fellow man is what caused this school to come about.” But, honestly, the Biblical text is a little confusing.
About a week after I wrote this, someone asked a question and qualified it with:
…for my own edification.
The question had nothing to do with morals or spirituality, so I think he meant “education.”