What Does the Bible Say About Spiritual Growth?
What Does the Bible Say About Spiritual Growth? Spiritual growth is the lifelong process of becoming more like Christ through Scripture, prayer, fellowship, and obedience.
Key verse: 2 Peter 3:18 (KJV)
Spiritual growth is the lifelong process of becoming more like Christ through Scripture, prayer, fellowship, and obedience.
Spiritual growth is the lifelong process of becoming more like Christ through Scripture, prayer, fellowship, and obedience.
"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." — 2 Peter 3:18 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
2 Peter 3:18 commands, 'But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.' 1 Peter 2:2 says, 'As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.' Hebrews 5:12-14 distinguishes between milk (basic doctrines) and meat (deeper truths), urging maturity. Spiritual growth requires multiple disciplines: Bible study (2 Timothy 2:15), prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17), fellowship (Hebrews 10:25), service (Galatians 5:13), and suffering (James 1:2-4). Philippians 1:6 assures believers, 'He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.' Growth isn't linear — there are seasons of rapid progress and seasons of testing. But the direction should be toward maturity, 'unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ' (Ephesians 4:13).
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Forgiveness of Sins?
How God forgives sin and what the Bible says about receiving complete pardon through Christ.
Key Scripture References
"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby."
"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Is Sanctification?
Sanctification is the ongoing process by which God transforms believers to become more like Christ, separating them from sin and developing holiness in their character.
What Does the Bible Say About Obedience to God?
Obedience is the primary evidence of genuine faith and love for God, demonstrated by keeping His commandments.
What Does the Bible Say About Love?
The Bible defines love not as a feeling but as a sacrificial choice — modeled perfectly by God's gift of His Son.
How Do You Forgive Others According to the Bible?
Biblical forgiveness means releasing bitterness and choosing not to hold someone's offense against them — just as God in Christ forgave us.
What Does the Bible Say About Money?
The Bible doesn't condemn money itself but warns against the love of money and teaches generosity, contentment, and wise stewardship.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
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Daily Living
What Is Spiritual Maturity According to the Bible?
Daily Living
Bible Verses About Spiritual Growth
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Bible Verses About Living by Faith
10 curated KJV verses
Read it in context
The answer above sits inside 2 Peter. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read 2 Peter on day 349 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Does the Bible Say About Spiritual Growth?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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