building
oikodome denotes the strengthening of a community or person, and in structural contexts a constructed dwelling or temple.
Its dominant attested use concerns the strengthening of an assembly, body, or neighbor through speech, ministry, peace, and authority; a second use names constructed structures, including temple buildings, God’s building, and a heavenly home.
Senses in use
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Strengthening people and the gathered community · dominant
The singular forms occur in clauses directing activity toward the good of others: in 1 Corinthians 14:3 the APB renders prophecy as speaking to people “for building and encouragement and comfort,” and in 1 Corinthians 14:26 it renders the instruction that all assembled contributions be “for building.” In 2 Corinthians 13:10, authority is contrasted with tearing down and is given for this constructive outcome; Romans 15:2 similarly places it in seeking a neighbor’s good.
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Constructed structure or dwelling · common
Plural forms identify visible structures in Mark 13:1 and Matthew 24:1, where the APB renders the clauses with “buildings” associated with stones and the temple. Singular forms also name God’s building in 1 Corinthians 3:9, a building from God in 2 Corinthians 5:1, and the whole structure growing into a holy temple in Ephesians 2:21.
In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the communal clauses with “building” and “building up,” while the structural passages use “building” or “buildings.” These English expressions confirm the clauses’ overall presentation rather than supplying a separate lexical distinction.