The Greek noun auxēsis means growth or increase — the process by which something grows larger, stronger, or more developed. Related to the verb auxanō (to grow), it denotes the result or process of growth itself. Both New Testament appearances (Ephesians 4:16 and Colossians 2:19) describe the corporate spiritual growth of the church.
Ephesians 4:16: 'the whole body... grows (auxēsin) and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.' The auxēsis of the church is organic, relational, and love-driven — flowing from Christ the head. Colossians 2:19: 'grows with a growth that is from God.' This is not self-help spirituality but divine cultivation — God causes the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6).