Comfort and Edify One Another

“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Introduction

Until the day that the Lord Jesus Christ returns for His church, we must be engaged in comforting and edifying each other. The word “comfort” means “to exhort and entreat”, while “edify” means “to build up and embolden”. The believers in Thessalonica were doing this, but Paul encourages them to do it even more. In fact, he was doing what he was suggesting that they do amongst themselves.

Comfort yourselves

We live in a day when many have given up following the Lord and have returned to the world. We need to watch for those who are weak in the faith, so that we can draw alongside them to encourage them to continue in the things of God. We must not only watch ourselves, but are also responsible for stirring up, strengthening and encouraging one another. “Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18) … “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

This comfort is not just blessing others with words of compassion, but also includes doing all we can for their spiritual and physical wellbeing. Many believers are like Cain when the Lord asked him about his brother Abel, he replied, “Am I my brother's keeper?” (Genesis 4:9). We are called to be there for each other, especially in times of need, sickness and sorrow. “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). To bear each others burdens is a quality which reveals God’s likeness in us. “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22) … “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). There will come a time when we will need such comfort from others. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:9-10) … “Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth” (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2).

Edify one another

“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another” (Romans 14:19). Paul is encouraging us to build each other up in the faith. This is accomplished through discussing the word of God whenever we are fellowshipping with each other. “Discoursing together on such edifying topics as the Lord's coming, and the glory of the saints” (Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Bible Commentary). “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name” (Malachi 3:16) … “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17).

We are to build and strengthen each other for the work of God. Therefore we ought to stay clear of anything that is offensive or ungodly. “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29). As stated in the introduction, the word “edify” means “to embolden”, but we can through lack of personal godliness embolden those weak in the faith to follow after sin. “For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ” (1 Corinthians 8:10-12) … “But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13). We are in the spiritual building business rather than demolition. “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost” (Jude :20).

Conclusion

“Together” and “one another” is the key to unity within the church of Christ. “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication” (Acts 1:14) … “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart” (Acts 2:46). There can be no comfort or edifying if we do not meet with the people of God. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).