Kok, Jacobus (Kobus)2016-02-292016-02-292015-11-30Kok, J., 2015, ‘The radicality of early Christian oikodome: A theology that edifies insiders ánd outsiders’, Verbum et Ecclesia 36(3), Art. #1441, 12 pages. http://dx.DOI.org/ 10.4102/ve.v36i3.14411609-9982 (print)2074-7705 (online)10.4102/ve.v36i3.1441http://hdl.handle.net/2263/51577This article represents a theological reflection on the Faculty Research Theme (FRT) of the Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, entitled ‘Ecodomy – Life in its fullness’. The theme is portrayed from the perspective of various theological disciplines. A conference on this theme was held on 27–28 October 2014.In this article a study is made of the concept ‘oikodome’ and its derivatives in the New Testament and early Christianity. Hence, in this essay the focus is limited to the use of the term οἰκοδομέω/οἰκοδομὴ(ν) in the New Testament, and briefly turns to inspiring trajectories in early Christianity. A detailed focus on the term(s) reveals the complexity of the matter in the different Biblical contexts with its multi-layered dimensions of meaning. Subsequently, attention is turned to a study of 1 Thessalonians, followed up with a discussion of the trajectories of other-regard and radical self-giving love in the early Church as witnessed by insiders and outsiders in antiquity.en© 2015. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS OpenJournals. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.New TestamentBiblical contextsOikodomeEarly ChristianityTheology articles SDG-04SDG-04: Quality educationTheology articles SDG-10SDG-10: Reduced inequalitiesTheology articles SDG-16SDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutionsArticle