What does the Bible say about maturity?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that believers are called to grow from spiritual infancy into Christlike maturity through God’s grace and truth. Ephesians 4:13-15 describes this growth as increasing stability, discernment, and love as the church is built up into Christ. Hebrews 5:12-14 urges Christians to move beyond elementary instruction and, through practice, develop discernment between good and evil; Hebrews 6:1-3 likewise calls them to press on toward maturity. This growth is nourished by God’s Word, as 1 Peter 2:2 teaches, and includes humble, childlike dependence without childish thinking, as 1 Corinthians 14:20 explains. Trials also serve God’s purpose, producing steadfast character and hope (Romans 5:3-4), while believers grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 1 Corinthians 14:20
Brothers, don't be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.
- 1 Corinthians 13:11
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things.
- Ephesians 4:14-15
[14] that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; [15] but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, Christ;
- Ephesians 4:13
until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
- Hebrews 5:12-13
[12] For when by reason of the time you ought to be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food. [13] For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby.
- 2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
- Hebrews 6:1-3
[1] Therefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on to perfection--not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith toward God, [2] of the teaching of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. [3] This will we do, if God permits.
- Romans 5:3-4
[3] Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering works perseverance; [4] and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope:
- Hebrews 5:12-14
[12] For when by reason of the time you ought to be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food. [13] For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby. [14] But solid food is for those who are full grown, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.
- 1 Peter 2:2
as newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby,
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