Someone can grow in Christ

Summary:

Someone can grow in Christ. 

When someone is begotten in Christ, they can become new born babies in Christ, infants in Christ. Over time they are to no longer remain infants but to become perfect (mature) in Christ. 

Someone in Christ can grow:

- In faith (2 Corinthians 10:15, 2 Thessalonians 1:3).

- In grace (2 Peter 3:18).

- In knowledge (Colossians 1:10, 2 Peter 1:5-8, 2 Peter 3:18).

- In understanding (1 Corinthians 14:20).

- In wisdom (James 1:4-5).

- In love (1 Thessalonians 3:12, 2 Thessalonians 1:3, 2 Peter 1:5-8).

- In fruits (2 Corinthians 9:10, Philippians 4:17).

- In works (Revelation 2:19).

- In virtue (2 Peter 1:5-8).

- In inner-might (self control) (2 Peter 1:5-8).

- In endurance (2 Peter 1:5-8).

- In well-worship (godliness) (2 Peter 1:5-8).

In the Bible, descriptions are given of what could be refered to as spiritual stages of growth for people who are in Christ, for example someone can go through the following stages:

1) "Newborn babies" (1 Peter 2:2).

2) "Infants [népios 3516 in Greek]" (1 Corinthians 3:1).

3) "Little-children [teknion 5040 in Greek]" (1 John 2:12).

4) "Children [paidion 3813 in Greek]" (1 John 2:14).

5) "Young-men [neaniskos 3495 in Greek]" (1 John 2:14).

6) "Fathers [patér 3962 in Greek]" (1 John 2:13).

7) "Perfect/mature [teleios 5046 in Greek]" (Colossians 1:28).

It is important to be aware of them as the specific challenges and abilities of each can vary a lot. 

You can find more details below:

Someone can grow in Christ:

Paul wrote "(to) the church (of) God being in Corinth" (1 Corinthians 1:2) and he wrote to them: "I BEGOT you IN CHRIST Jesus through the good-news" (1 Corinthians 4:15). Paul mentioned how it is possible to be as "INFANTS IN CHRIST" (1 Corinthians 3:1).

Peter wrote that newborn babies in Christ can grow, as he wrote to "yearn like NEWBORN BABIES for the deceitless reasonable milk in-order-that by it YOU-MAY-GROW for (your) salvation" (1 Peter 2:2).

The goal is to not remain infants, but instead one can grow to attain the stature of a perfect (mature) one, as Paul wrote: "until we all attain to the unity (of) the faith and (of) the knowledge (of) the Son of God, TO (a) PERFECT man, to (the) measure (of the) stature (of) the fullness (of) Christ, so-that WE-MAY-BE NO-LONGER INFANTS" (Ephesians 4:13-14).

Paul was laboring so that he may present every person perfect (mature) in Christ, as he wrote about Christ "Whom we are-proclaiming, admonishing every person, and teaching every person with all wisdom, in-order-that WE-MAY-PRESENT every person PERFECT IN CHRIST, for which I also am-laboring" (Colossians 1:28-29).

Someone is not automatically perfect (mature) because they are merely in Christ. 

For more information:

Can someone be described as PERFECT according to the Bible?:
Click here

Someone can grow in their faith: 

Paul wrote: "your FAITH (is) GROWING" (2 Corinthians 10:15). 

Paul wrote: "your FAITH IS-GROWING-ABUNDANTLY" (2 Thessalonians 1:3).

Someone can grow in grace: 

Peter wrote: "BE-GROWING IN (the) GRACE and knowledge (of) our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). 

Someone can grow in knowledge: 

Paul wrote about "GROWING (in) the KNOWLEDGE (of) God" (Colossians 1:10).

Peter wrote: "in your faith supply virtue; and in (your) virtue, KNOWLEDGE; and in (your) KNOWLEDGE, inner-might; and in (your) inner-might, endurance; and in (your) endurance, well-worship; and in (your) well-worship, brotherly-love; and in (your) brotherly-love, love. FOR THESE (QUALITIES) being-present (in) you and INCREASING make (you) neither non-working nor unfruitful in the knowledge (of) our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:5-8).

Peter wrote: "BE-GROWING IN (the) grace and KNOWLEDGE (of) our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). 

Someone can grow in understanding: 

Paul wrote that people could come from being children in understanding to being perfect in understanding: "DO NOT BE CHILDREN (in your) UNDERSTANDING. But [...] BE PERFECT (in your) UNDERSTANDING" (1 Corinthians 14:20).

Someone can grow in wisdom: 

James wrote: "YOU-MAY-BE PERFECT and whole, LACKING IN NOTHING. And if any (of) you IS-LACKING WISDOM, let him be-asking from the God giving generously (to) all and not reproaching, and it-will-be-given (to) him" (James 1:4-5).

Someone can grow in love: 

Paul wrote: "may the Lord cause you TO-INCREASE and abound (in) LOVE for one-another and for everyone" (1 Thessalonians 3:12).

Paul wrote: "the LOVE (of) each one (of) you all toward one-another IS-INCREASING" (2 Thessalonians 1:3).

Peter wrote: "in your faith supply virtue; and in (your) virtue, knowledge; and in (your) knowledge, inner-might; and in (your) inner-might, endurance; and in (your) endurance, well-worship; and in (your) well-worship, BROTHERLY-LOVE; and in (your) BROTHERLY-LOVE, LOVE. FOR THESE (QUALITIES) being-present (in) you and INCREASING make (you) neither non-working nor unfruitful in the knowledge (of) our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:5-8).

It is written in 1 John that someone can come to point where the love of God has been perfected in them: "whoever is-keeping His word, truly the LOVE (of) God HAS-BEEN-PERFECTED in this (one)" (1 John 2:5).

Someone can grow in fruits: 

Paul wrote "the (One) supplying seed (to) the (one) sowing, and bread for eating, will-supply and multiply your seed, and WILL-GROW the FRUITS (of) YOUR righteousness" (2 Corinthians 9:10).

Paul wrote: "I-am-seeking-for the FRUIT INCREASING to YOUR account" (Philippians 4:17).

Someone can grow in works: 

It is written in Revelation: "YOUR LAST WORKS (are) GREATER (than) the FIRST" (Revelation 2:19).

Someone can grow in virtue: 

Peter wrote: "in your faith supply VIRTUE; and in (your) VIRTUE, knowledge; and in (your) knowledge, inner-might; and in (your) inner-might, endurance; and in (your) endurance, well-worship; and in (your) well-worship, brotherly-love; and in (your) brotherly-love, love. FOR THESE (QUALITIES) being-present (in) you and INCREASING make (you) neither non-working nor unfruitful in the knowledge (of) our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:5-8).

Someone can grow in inner-might (self-control): 

Peter wrote: "in your faith supply virtue; and in (your) virtue, knowledge; and in (your) knowledge, INNER-MIGHT; and in (your) INNER-MIGHT, endurance; and in (your) endurance, well-worship; and in (your) well-worship, brotherly-love; and in (your) brotherly-love, love. FOR THESE (QUALITIES) being-present (in) you and INCREASING make (you) neither non-working nor unfruitful in the knowledge (of) our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:5-8).

Someone can grow in endurance: 

Peter wrote: "in your faith supply virtue; and in (your) virtue, knowledge; and in (your) knowledge, inner-might; and in (your) inner-might, ENDURANCE; and in (your) ENDURANCE, well-worship; and in (your) well-worship, brotherly-love; and in (your) brotherly-love, love. FOR THESE (QUALITIES) being-present (in) you and INCREASING make (you) neither non-working nor unfruitful in the knowledge (of) our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:5-8).

Someone can grow in well-worship (godliness): 

Peter wrote: "in your faith supply virtue; and in (your) virtue, knowledge; and in (your) knowledge, inner-might; and in (your) inner-might, endurance; and in (your) endurance, WELL-WORSHIP; and in (your) WELL-WORSHIP, brotherly-love; and in (your) brotherly-love, love. FOR THESE (QUALITIES) being-present (in) you and INCREASING make (you) neither non-working nor unfruitful in the knowledge (of) our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:5-8).

Spiritual stages of growth: 

In the Bible, descriptions are given of what could be refered to as spiritual stages of growth for people who are in Christ, for example someone can go through the following stages:

1) "NEWBORN BABIES" (1 Peter 2:2).

2) "INFANTS [népios 3516 in Greek]" (1 Corinthians 3:1).

3) "LITTLE-CHILDREN [teknion 5040 in Greek]" (1 John 2:12).

4) "CHILDREN [paidion 3813 in Greek]" (1 John 2:14).

5) "YOUNG-MEN [neaniskos 3495 in Greek]" (1 John 2:14).

6) "FATHERS [patér 3962 in Greek]" (1 John 2:13).

7) "PERFECT/MATURE [teleios 5046 in Greek]" (Colossians 1:28).

It is important to be aware of them as the specific challenges and abilities of each can vary a lot. 

You can find more details below:

1) Newborn babies:

Peter wrote about people being NEWBORN BABIES in Christ, as he wrote to "yearn like NEWBORN BABIES for the deceitless reasonable MILK in-order-that by it YOU-MAY-GROW for (your) salvation" (1 Peter 2:2).

Peter wrote that (spiritual) NEWBORN BABIES in Christ can grow by the "MILK" (1 Peter 2:2) of the word. The "foundation" (Hebrews 6:1) of "Christ" (Hebrews 6:1) listed in Hebrews 6:1-2 is important to grow spiritually as it is the "MILK" (Hebrews 5:13) of the "word" (Hebrews 5:13) which Christ taught.

For more information on the milk of Hebrews 6:1-2:

The 6 foundational basics of Christ:
Click here

2) Infants:

People can become "INFANTS [népios 3516 in Greek] in Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:1).

The following characteristics can accompany infants in Christ:

- "INFANTS [népios 3516 in Greek], BEING-TOSSED-ABOUT and carried-around (by) every wind (of) TEACHING, by the trickery (of) people, by craftiness with-regard-to the scheme (of) error" (Ephesians 4:14). 

- "INFANTS [népios 3516 in Greek] in Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:1), "I-gave you MILK to-drink, not food, for you-were not-yet able" (1 Corinthians 3:2), "And-I, brothers, was NOT able TO-SPEAK (to) you AS (TO) SPIRITUAL (ONES), BUT AS (TO ONES) MADE-OF-FLESH" (1 Corinthians 3:1), "you-are still FLESHLY. For where (there is) jealousy and strife among you, are-you not fleshly and WALKING IN-ACCORDANCE-WITH HUMAN (THINKING)?" (1 Corinthians 3:3). 

- "everyone partaking (of) MILK (is) untried (in the) word (of) righteousness, for he-is (an) INFANT [népios 3516 in Greek]" (Hebrews 5:13), they do NOT have yet "(their) senses trained for DISTINGUISHING (of) both GOOD AND EVIL" (Hebrews 5:14). 

3) Little children:

People can become "LITTLE-CHILDREN [teknion 5040 in Greek]" (1 John 2:12) in Christ.

The following characteristics can accompany little children in Christ:

- "I-am-writing (to) you, LITTLE-CHILDREN [teknion 5040 in Greek], because (YOUR) SINS HAVE-BEEN-FORGIVEN YOU through His name" (1 John 2:12). 

Here the LITTLE-CHILDREN have come to grasp that their sins have been forgiven. They went beyond condemning themselves for their past, and so feeling that there is no hope for their future, or asking themselves if God really forgave their past sins.

It can be common for people who did not reach that step yet to be troubled by thoughts telling themselves that they have blasphemed the Holy Spirit in the past for example and as a result would not be forgiven for their sins. 

For more information on the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit:

Mark 3:29 - Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?:
Click here

It can be common for people who did not yet reach that step yet to ask themselves if after they sin God really does forgive their sins, and on what conditions if so.

For more information on forgiveness:

Does forgiveness have conditions?:
Click here

4) Children:

People can become "CHILDREN [paidion 3813 in Greek]" (1 John 2:14) in Christ.

The following characteristics can accompany children in Christ:

- "I-wrote (to) you, CHILDREN, because YOU-HAVE-KNOWN THE FATHER" (1 John 2:14). 

It can be common before reaching this stage to have questions regarding the character of God, such as: is He really good? Does He really desire people to be saved? How will He really react if I commit a sin? 

For more information:

God desires all people to be saved:
Click here

The arm of the Lord is not too short to save:
Click here

2 chapters later it is written: "The (one) not LOVING did not KNOW GOD" (1 John 4:8).

It can be common before reaching this stage to have questions regarding how to properly love others, and if what we do is loving or not. 

For more information:

Who, what and how to love?:
Click here

5) Young men:

People can become "YOUNG-MEN [neaniskos 3495 in Greek]" (1 John 2:14) in Christ.

The following characteristics can accompany young men in Christ:

- "I-wrote (to) you, YOUNG-MEN [neaniskos 3495 in Greek], because YOU-ARE STRONG (ONES), and THE WORD (OF) GOD IS-ABIDING IN YOU, and YOU-HAVE-OVERCOME THE EVIL (ONE)" (1 John 2:14). 

6) Fathers:

People can become "FATHERS [patér 3962 in Greek]" (1 John 2:13) in Christ.

The following characteristics can accompany fathers in Christ:

- "I-am-writing (to) you, FATHERS [patér 3962 in Greek], because YOU-HAVE-KNOWN THE (ONE) FROM (THE) BEGINNING" (1 John 2:13). 

The One from the beginning refers to Jesus Christ. Knowing Jesus in 1 John is defined as keeping His commandments and not sinning. Fathers in Christ have come to that point, which is why they can now train younger ones to walk in the way. 

For more information on knowing Jesus Christ:

1 John 2:3 - Knowing Jesus?:
Click here

Paul for example wrote: "if you-should-have ten-thousand child-leaders in Christ, yet (you do) not (have) many FATHERS [patér 3962 in Greek]. For I begot you in Christ Jesus through the good-news. Therefore I-exhort you, BE IMITATORS (OF) ME" (1 Corinthians 4:15-16), "BE IMITATORS (OF) ME, JUST AS I ALSO (AM OF) CHRIST" (1 Corinthians 11:1), mentioning CHRIST specifically.

7) Perfect/Mature:

People can become "PERFECT/MATURE [teleios 5046 in Greek] in Christ" (Colossians 1:28).

The following characteristics can accompany perfect/mature ones in Christ:

- "let endurance be-having (its) perfect work in-order-that you-may-be PERFECT [teleios 5046 in Greek] and whole, LACKING IN NOTHING" (James 1:4).

- "If one DOES NOT STUMBLE IN SPEECH, this (one is a) PERFECT [teleios 5046 in Greek] man able to-bridle also the whole body" (James 3:2).

- "the SOLID FOOD is (for the) PERFECT [teleios 5046 in Greek], the (ones) because-of habit HAVING (THEIR) SENSES TRAINED FOR DISTINGUISHING (OF) BOTH GOOD AND EVIL" (Hebrews 5:14). 

For more information:

Can someone be described as PERFECT according to the Bible?:
Click here

↺ Click here to return to the Table of Contents.