1 Thessalonians 5:11 Commentary and Bible Study

We are to comfort and to edify. The word edify means literally to construct, to build. Does it mean we constantly lecture others and pontificate? No, but in all our conversations we are to be constructive. We may not be teaching Scripture. It is more likely that we are relating our experience, or relating another’s experience but in some way we build up. It may indeed be a negative critique of the world, else we are easily drawn away and the world takes us in its stride. We might speak of church activity, or of overseas work, but we are always concerned to edify.