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Grounding Spiritual Growth in Scripture vs Human Examples

Spiritual growth, often understood as the process of maturing in faith and character, is primarily grounded in the teachings of Scripture, which are considered divinely inspired [6]. The apostle Paul emphasizes that spiritual truths are communicated and understood not through human wisdom, but through the Holy Spirit, "comparing spiritual things with spiritual" [2, 13]. This suggests that the Bible itself provides the framework and content for spiritual development, with the Spirit illuminating its meaning [14].

The Scriptures are described as "given by inspiration of God" and "by inspiration of the Holy Spirit" [6]. This divine origin establishes them as the authoritative source for understanding spiritual matters. Christ himself sanctioned the Scriptures by appealing to them and teaching from them [6]. The concept of spiritual growth is often depicted using metaphors of natural development, such as a seed taking root and growing [7, 15]. Just as a plant grows from a seed, believers are expected to grow in grace [12]. This growth is not merely a human endeavor but is initiated and sustained by God [9].

While human examples can offer encouragement or illustration, the foundational instruction for spiritual growth comes from the biblical text. For instance, the human nature of Christ, including his growth in body and spirit, serves as a model [4, 10]. However, the understanding of such examples is itself informed by Scripture. The Bible presents humanity as created by God, in his image and likeness, and made for him [5]. This foundational understanding of human nature and purpose is derived directly from Genesis [5].

The contrast between human wisdom and spiritual wisdom is a recurring theme. Paul states that the communication and learning of spiritual truth must occur "in the dimension and power of the Spirit," rather than being "simply a rational, human exercise" [13]. This distinction highlights the unique nature of spiritual understanding, which transcends mere intellectual apprehension. John Chrysostom, in his homilies on 1 Corinthians, explains that the Spirit's knowledge is equal to God's knowledge, and all things are learned from it [11].

The concept of a "spiritual body" is also presented in Scripture, contrasting with the "natural body" [1, 3]. This distinction, as interpreted by some scholars, suggests that resurrection bodies will be vastly different from mortal bodies, much like a plant differs from its seed [8]. This transformation is a key aspect of spiritual development, moving beyond basic teachings to a deeper understanding of Christ [9]. The process of growth is ongoing, with believers urged to move beyond foundational elements of instruction [9].

The emphasis on Scripture as the primary guide for spiritual growth means that while human experiences and testimonies can be valuable, they are always to be evaluated against the unchanging standard of God's Word. The "word of God," "word of Christ," and "word of truth" are all terms used to describe the Scriptures, underscoring their central role in guiding believers [6].

Sources

  1. 1 Corinthians “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is also a spiritual body. -- 1 Corinthians 15:44”
  2. King James Version “[KJV] 1 Corinthians 2:13 — Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”
  3. I Corinthians “I Corinthians 15:44 (Webster) — It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Human Nature of Christ, The — Was necessary to his mediatorial office -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 2:17; Ga 4:4,5; 1Co 15:21; Ro 6:15,19. Is proved by his Conception in the Virgin's womb. -- Mt 1:18; Lu 1:31. Birth. -- Mt 1:16,25; 2:2; Lu 2:7,11. Partaking of flesh and blood. -- Joh 1:14; Heb 2:14. Having a human soul. -- Mt 26:38; Lu 23:46; Ac 2:31. Circumcision. -- Lu 2:21. Increase in wisdom and stature. -- Lu 2:52. Weeping. -- Lu 19:41; Joh 11:35. Hungering. -- Mt 4:2; 21:18. Thirsting. -- Joh 4:7; 19:28. Sleeping. -- Mt 8:24; Mr 4:38. Being subject to weariness. -- Joh 4:6. ”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Man — Made for God -- Pr 16:4; Re 4:11. God's purpose in creation completed by making -- Ge 2:5,7. Cannot profit God -- Job 22:2; Ps 16:2. Unworthy of God's favour -- Job 7:17; Ps 8:4. Created By God. -- Ge 1:27; Isa 45:12. By Christ. -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16. By the Holy Spirit. -- Job 33:4. After consultation, by the Trinity. -- Ge 1:26. On the sixth day. -- Ge 1:31. Upon the earth. -- De 4:32; Job 20:4. From the dust. -- Ge 2:7; Job 33:6. In the image of God. -- Ge 1:26,27; 1Co 11:7. After the likeness of God. -- Ge 1:26; Jas 3:9. Male and female. -- Ge 1:27; 5:2. A l”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
  7. Colossians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Colossians 2:7: Rooted and built up in him - It is not usual with the apostle to employ this double metaphor, taken partly from the growth of a tree and the increase of a building. They are to be rooted; as the good seed had been already sown, it is to take root, and the roots are to spread far, wide, and deep. They are to be grounded; as the foundation has already been laid, they are to build thereon. In the one case, they are to bear much fruit; in the other, they are to grow up to be a habitation of God through the Spirit. See the notes on Eph 2:21, Eph 2:22 (note); Eph 3:17 ”
  8. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 15:42: 15:42-44 Just as growing plants differ from the seeds out of which they sprout, so resurrection bodies will be vastly unlike our mortal bodies.”
  9. Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 6:1: 6:1-3 In light of the hearers’ immaturity (5:11-14), the author urges them to move beyond basic teachings. The six basic teachings here were all foundational elements of Jewish instruction. The author might be challenging them to move beyond these basic teachings to further understanding about the person of Christ, which he elaborates in 7:1–10:25. 6:1 Let us go on: Or Let us be carried on, suggesting that God initiates growth to maturity (Phil 2:12-13) and that it is an ongoing process. • Repenting and faith are the basic commitments that initiate a person to the”
  10. Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 2:39: And the child grew,.... In body, in strength, and in stature; which shows that it was a true body Christ assumed, and like ours, which did not come to its maturity at once, but by degrees: and waxed strong in spirit, or in his soul; for as he had a true body, he had also a reasonable soul; the faculties of which were far from being weak, they were exceeding strong, and appeared stronger and stronger every day; his understanding was clear, his judgment solid, and his memory strong and retentive, his will, and the desires of it, were to that which is good, and his affec”
  11. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: the deep things of God.” For the word “to search” is here indicative not of ignorance, but of accurate knowledge: it is the very same mode of speaking which he used even of God, saying, “He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit.” ( Rom. viii. 27 .) Then having spoken with exactness concerning the knowledge of the Spirit, and having pointed out that it is as fully equal to God’s knowledge, as the knowledge of a man itself to itself; and also, that we have learned all things from it and necessarily from it; he added, “whi”
  12. 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 3:18: But grow in grace,.... In the gifts of grace, which, under a divine blessing, may be increased by using them: gifts neglected decrease, but stirred up and used, are improved and increase. And though men are to be thankful for their gifts, and be contented with them, yet they may lawfully desire more, and in the use of means seek an increase of them, which may be a means of preserving themselves, and others, from the error of the wicked. Moreover, by "grace" may be meant internal grace. The work of grace is gradual; it is like a grain of mustard seed, or like seed cas”
  13. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 2:13: 2:13 using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths: Just as spiritual wisdom is different from human wisdom, so the way spiritual wisdom is taught must be different from the way human wisdom is taught. The communicating and learning of spiritual truth must be done in the dimension and power of the Spirit; it is not simply a rational, human exercise.”
  14. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 2:13: also--We not only know by the Holy Ghost, but we also speak the "things freely given to us of God" (Co1 2:12). which the Holy Ghost teacheth--The old manuscripts read "the Spirit" simply, without "Holy." comparing spiritual things with spiritual--expounding the Spirit-inspired Old Testament Scripture, by comparison with the Gospel which Jesus by the same Spirit revealed [GROTIUS]; and conversely illustrating the Gospel mysteries by comparing them with the Old Testament types [CHRYSOSTOM]. So the Greek word is translated, "comparing" (Co2 10:”
  15. 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 3:6: I have planted - I first sowed the seed of the Gospel at Corinth, and in the region of Achaia. Apollos watered - Apollos came after me, and, by his preachings and exhortations, watered the seed which I had sowed; but God gave the increase. The seed has taken root, has sprung up, and borne much fruit; but this was by the especial blessing of God. As in the natural so in the spiritual world; it is by the especial blessing of God that the grain which is sown in the ground brings forth thirty, sixty, or a hundred fold: it is neither the sower nor the waterer that ”
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