thus fitly qualifying his servants for their respective offices, in order to build up the body of Christ:

from which the whole body fitly framed, and compacted by the entire adherence and contribution of every part performing its respective function, increases and improves itself by the mutual concern of the parts.

for though I should more than ever magnify my authority, which the Lord hath given us for your improvement, and not for your ruin, I should have no reason to be ashamed;

these things therefore I write to you being absent, that when I come I may not use severity, according to the power which the Lord hath given me for edification, and not for destruction.

according to the free gift of God bestowed upon me, I, as a skilful architect, have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. but let every man take heed how he builds thereupon.

Let us therefore pursue those things which tend to peace, and mutual edification.

But since there is emulation among you concerning spiritual gifts, seek to abound in the exercise of such gifts as tend most to the edification of the church.

wherefore comfort and edify one another, as you have hitherto done.

let every one of us consult the good of his neighbour to his edification.

do you think I have been making excuses for not coming? as I am a christian, in the presence of God, I have, my beloved, in every thing consulted your advantage.

let no obscene language defile your mouth, use only such as tends to edification, that it may be beneficial to the hearers.

what is then to be done, my brethren? when you come together, one of you with a psalm, another with a doctrine, another with a strange tongue, another with a revelation, another with an interpretation: let the whole be done to edification.

and now, my brethren, I recommend you to God, and to his gracious dispensation, which is able to improve you, and secure to you the inheritance with those who are sanctify'd.

Now as to things offered to idols, 'tis certain that the knowledge you all pretend to have, swells you with pride, but 'tis charity that edifieth.

he that speaks in an unknown tongue, edifies himself alone: but he that expounds, edifies the church.

but he that expounds, speaks to the edification, exhortation, and comfort of men.

I wish you all had the gift of languages, but rather that you expounded: for greater is he that expounds, than he that speaks unknown languages, except he interpret what he says, that the church may be edified by it.

being firmly attach'd to, and founded upon him: establishing yourselves in the faith you have been taught, and being thankful for the improvement you make therein.

thy thanksgiving indeed is right, but the other is not all edified by it.

are all things lawful for me? yet all things are not expedient: are all things lawful for me? yet all things do not edify.