The meaning of Builder in the Bible
(From International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)
bild'-er (banah; oikodomeo, technites): "To build," "builder," ete, are in the Old Testament commonly the translation of banah, "to build," occurring very frequently; see BUILD, BUILDING. The literal significance leads also to several figurative applications, especially to God as Divine Builder (1) as establishing, e.g. the nation (Psalms 69:35; Psalms 102:16; Jeremiah 12:16), the throne of David (Psalms 89:4), Jerusalem (Psalms 147:2); (2) in restoration—rebuilding (Isaiah 58:12; Isaiah 61:4; Isaiah 65:21; Jeremiah 31:4, Jeremiah 31:28; Jeremiah 42:10; Ezekiel 36:36; Amos 9:11; compare Acts 15:16); (3) as establishing in prosperity (Job 22:23; I Samuel 2:35; Jeremiah 24:6; compare Genesis 16:2 the Revised Version, margin, Hebrew, "be builded by her"); (4) the firm establishment of the Divine attributes (Psalms 89:2); (5) Divine opposition (Lamentations 3:5, "He hath builded against me"); compare Job 19:8; (6) the choosing of a corner-stone which the builders rejected (Psalms 118:22-23; quoted by Christ (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17); by Peter (Acts 4:11; I Peter 2:7)).
In the New Testament Christians are represented as being (1) built by God (I Corinthians 3:9, I Corinthians 3:16) on Christ as the one foundation (Matthew 16:18, on Jesus as the Christ; I Peter 2:5 f.; Acts 9:31 the Revised Version, margin; Romans 15:20; I Corinthians 3:10, I Corinthians 3:12, I Corinthians 3:14 (epoikodomo); Ephesians 2:20); (2) as being continuously and progressively built up in their faith and life (Acts 20:32; I Corinthians 8:1 the Revised Version, margin, "buildeth up"; I Corinthians 10:23 margin, Greek "build up"; I Corinthians 14:4, I Corinthians 14:17 m; I Thessalonians 5:11; compare Judges 1:20); (3) they are "builded togethe r" (sunoikodomeo) in Christ (Ephesians 2:22; Colossians 2:7 (epoikodomeo); compare I Corinthians 3:9); (4) "builded up" is used in a bad sense (I Corinthians 8:10 the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American), "emboldened," the Revised Version, margin "be builded up"); (6) in Hebrews 3:4 God is represented as the Builder (establisher) of all things, the Revised Version, margin "established," and in Hebrews 11:10 as the Builder (technites), of the New Jerusalem; in Hebrews 9:11 for "building" the Revised Version (British and American) has "creation" (ktisis); (7) in I Corinthians 3:10-14; Galatians 2:18, building represents constructing a system of teaching; Paul speaks of himself as "a wise master-builder" (sophos architekton).
W. L. Walker
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