Spiritual Growth in Christ for Believers
Spiritual growth in Christ for believers refers to the ongoing process of increasing in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, a concept rooted in biblical exhortations such as 2 Peter 3:18 [1, 2]. The term "Crescens" itself means "growing" or "increasing," reflecting this continuous development [3]. This growth is not merely an optional aspect of Christian life but an essential journey towards maturity [7, 8].
The New Testament frequently emphasizes this progression. Paul, for instance, prays that believers would gain a deeper understanding of the Gospel and its expression in their lives, leading to conduct that pleases the Lord [10]. This deeper understanding, coupled with endurance and patience, allows believers to stand firm against evil [10]. The ultimate goal of this spiritual development is for the entire Christian community to understand and experience the Christian faith more profoundly, gaining a deeper knowledge of God’s Son, thereby becoming mature in the Lord [7]. The standard for this maturity is Christ himself, with the Holy Spirit's transformative work aiming to make individuals fully like Christ [7].
Different theological traditions highlight various facets of this growth. Adam Clarke, a Methodist/Wesleyan commentator, describes grace as a "heavenly seed" that, when "watered with the dew of heaven," will "endlessly increase and multiply itself" [5]. He views the Christian life as a continuous growth, moving from a "little child" to a "young man" and eventually a "father in Christ" [5]. This perspective emphasizes the dynamic and progressive nature of spiritual development, where belief, love, and obedience lead to a continuous increase in the knowledge of Jesus Christ as Savior, sanctifier, counselor, and preserver [5].
John Gill, representing a Baptist/Reformed perspective, interprets "grow in grace" as an increase in both the gifts of grace and internal grace [6]. He suggests that spiritual gifts, when used and stirred up, can improve and increase, while neglect can lead to their decrease [6]. Gill also notes that the work of grace is gradual, comparing it to a mustard seed or scattered seed [6]. This view underscores the importance of actively engaging with and utilizing spiritual gifts for growth.
The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary, from a Presbyterian viewpoint, connects growing in grace with not falling from one's faith, seeing it as the "true secret of not going backward" [12]. They interpret "grace and knowledge of Christ" as the grace authored by Christ and the knowledge of Christ as the object of that knowledge [12]. This perspective links growth directly to perseverance and a deepening relationship with Christ.
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in facilitating spiritual growth. The Spirit is given by the Father and the Son, often in answer to prayer, and is essential for instruction and comfort [4]. Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3:15 asks that believers be "strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man," drawing from the "riches of his glory" [11]. This strengthening enables believers to exercise grace, perform duties, and resist temptation [11].
Furthermore, spiritual growth is a communal endeavor. Tyndale House notes on Ephesians 4:16 that "each part of the body plays an important role and helps the other parts grow" [9]. Christ, as the head, works through individual parts, ensuring they fit together and serving as the ultimate source of growth [9]. This highlights the interconnectedness of believers, where mutual ministry contributes to the health and growth of the entire body, with love being identified as the most important factor in Christian growth [9]. The New Testament also categorizes believers by their stages of spiritual maturity, from "God’s children" to "young in the faith" and "mature in the faith" [8].
Sources
- King James Version “[KJV] 2 Peter 3:18 — But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
- II Peter “II Peter 3:18 (BSB) — But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Crescens — growing; increasing”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gift of the Holy Spirit, The — By the Father -- Ne 9:20; Lu 11:13. By the Son -- Joh 20:22. To Christ without measure -- Joh 3:34. Given According to promise. -- Ac 2:38,39. Upon the exaltation. -- Ps 68:18; Joh 7:39. Through the intercession of Christ. -- Joh 14:16. In answer to prayer. -- Lu 11:13; Eph 1:16,17. For instruction. -- Ne 9:20. For comfort of saints. -- Joh 14:16. To those who repent and believe. -- Ac 2:38. To those who obey God. -- Ac 5:32. To the Gentiles. -- Ac 10:44,45; 11:17; 15:8. Is abundant -- Ps 68:9; Joh 7:38,39. Is permanent -- Isa 59:21; Ha”
- 2 Peter (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Peter 3:18: But grow in grace - Increase in the image and favor of God; every grace and Divine influence which ye have received is a seed, a heavenly seed, which, if it be watered with the dew of heaven from above, will endlessly increase and multiply itself. He who continues to believe, love, and obey, will grow in grace, and continually increase in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, as his sacrifice, sanctifier, counsellor, preserver, and final Savior. The life of a Christian is a growth; he is at first born of God, and is a little child; becomes a young man, and a father in Chr”
- 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”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:13: 4:13 The goal of ministry is for the whole Christian community to understand and experience the Christian faith more deeply and gain a deeper knowledge of God’s Son. In this way, believers will be mature in the Lord (see 1 Cor 2:6; 14:20; Phil 3:15; Col 1:28; 4:12; cp. Heb 5:14; Jas 1:4; 3:2). The standard of maturity is Christ himself; the Spirit’s transforming work is to make people fully like Christ (Rom 8:29).”
- 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 2:12: 2:12-14 John gives three classes of believers at various stages of spiritual maturity: God’s children, the young in the faith (literally young people), and the mature in the faith (literally fathers).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:16: 4:16 Each part of the body plays an important role and helps the other parts grow. Christ, the head of the body, works through the individual parts, makes them fit together, and is the ultimate source of growth (see Col 2:19). • When all believers are ministering effectively, the whole body will be healthy and growing and full of love (cp. 1 Cor 8:1). Love is the most important factor in Christian growth (1 Cor 13:1-13).”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 1:9: 1:9-10 Paul prays that God would grant his readers deeper understanding of the Good News and its full expression in their lives. Spiritual growth yields a clearer and deeper comprehension of Christian truth and conduct that pleases the Lord, through which a believer will have the endurance and patience to stand firm against evil (1:11).”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 3:15: That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory,.... Or according to, and out of that rich, plenteous, and glorious fulness of grace and strength in Christ Jesus. To be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; this is the petition which the apostle puts up on his bended knees to the Father of Christ, that he would strengthen these saints, that so they might not faint at the tribulations which either he or they endured. Believers in Christ need fresh supplies of strength to enable them to exercise grace, to perform duties, to resist Sat”
- 2 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Peter 3:18: grow--Not only do not "fall from" (Pe2 3:17), but grow onward: the true secret of not going backward. Eph 4:15, "Grow up into Him, the Head, Christ." grace and . . . knowledge of . . . Christ--"the grace and knowledge of Christ" [ALFORD rightly]: the grace of which Christ is the author, and the knowledge of which Christ is the object. for ever--Greek, "to the day of eternity": the day that has no end: "the day of the Lord," beginning with the Lord's coming. Next: 1 John Introduction”