2 Peter 3:18 - Final Exhortations
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
This phrase emphasizes the importance of spiritual growth and maturity in the Christian life. The call to "grow" suggests an ongoing process, indicating that believers are to continually develop in their faith. The "grace" mentioned here refers to the unmerited favor and empowerment from God, which is essential for living a Christian life. "Knowledge" implies a deep, personal understanding of Jesus Christ, not just intellectual awareness. This growth is rooted in a relationship with "our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," highlighting His dual role as both divine authority and redeemer. The call to grow in both grace and knowledge suggests a balanced Christian life, where believers are not only recipients of God's grace but also active participants in learning and understanding His will.
To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.
This doxology ascribes eternal glory to Jesus Christ, affirming His divine nature and eternal reign. The phrase "to Him be the glory" is a declaration of praise and worship, acknowledging Christ's supreme authority and majesty. The inclusion of "both now and to the day of eternity" underscores the timelessness of Christ's glory, which is not limited to the present but extends into eternity. This reflects the biblical theme of Christ's eternal kingdom, as seen in passages like Revelation 5:13, where all creation gives glory to the Lamb. The "day of eternity" points to the eschatological hope of believers, when Christ will return and establish His eternal kingdom, fulfilling prophecies such as those found in Daniel 7:14.
Amen.
The term "Amen" is a Hebrew word meaning "truly" or "so be it," used to express agreement and affirmation. In this context, it serves as a concluding affirmation of the truths expressed in the verse. It is a common liturgical response in both Jewish and Christian traditions, signifying the congregation's agreement with what has been said. The use of "Amen" here reinforces the certainty and trustworthiness of the promise of Christ's eternal glory and the believer's call to grow in grace and knowledge.
Persons / Places / Events
1. Peter
The apostle Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, is the author of this epistle. He writes to encourage believers to remain steadfast in their faith and to grow spiritually.
2. Jesus Christ
Referred to as "our Lord and Savior," Jesus is central to the message of growth in grace and knowledge. His life, death, and resurrection are the foundation of Christian faith.
3. The Early Church
The recipients of Peter's letter, likely a mix of Jewish and Gentile Christians, facing challenges from false teachings and persecution.
Teaching Points
Spiritual Growth is Essential
Just as physical growth is a sign of life, spiritual growth is a sign of a healthy Christian life. Believers are called to continually grow in their relationship with Christ.
Grace and Knowledge are Interconnected
Growth in grace involves understanding and experiencing God's unmerited favor, while growth in knowledge involves deepening our understanding of God's Word and His character.
Christ-Centered Living
The ultimate goal of growth is to bring glory to Jesus Christ. Our lives should reflect His character and teachings.
Eternal Perspective
Peter reminds us that our growth has eternal significance. We are to live with the day of eternity in mind, focusing on what truly matters.
Guard Against False Teachings
In the context of Peter's letter, growing in grace and knowledge helps believers discern truth from error, protecting them from false teachings.
Lists and Questions
Top 10 Lessons from 2 Peter 3What are the best Bible Q&A apps available?What defines spiritual growth?Are you growing in faith and knowledge of Christ?What does "Faith Seeking Understanding" mean?
(18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord.--Or, But grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord--i.e., it may mean "the grace of our Lord" as well as "the knowledge of our Lord." But the Greek is not decisive on this point; and the rendering in our version avoids the awkwardness of coupling a subjective and objective genitive together by "and." For "the grace of our Lord" must mean the grace of which He is the giver; while "the knowledge of our Lord" must mean the knowledge of which He is the object. Romans 15:4 and 1Peter 1:2 are not instances of such coupling.
The Apostle ends, as he began, by exhorting them to that sound knowledge which he sets forth as the sure basis of all Christian activity, whether the knowledge be full and mature, as in 2Peter 1:2-3; 2Peter 1:8; 2Peter 2:20 or to be acquired and increased, as in 2Peter 1:5 and here. . . .
Verse 18. - But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Growth is necessary for steadfastness; we cannot persevere unless we continually advance in faith (comp. 1 Peter 1:5-7; 1 Peter 2:2). Some, as Alford, take the genitive with "grace" as well as with "knowledge;" but this connection forces us to regard it first as subjective, then as objective - the grace which Christ gives, and the knowledge of which he is the Object - and so seems somewhat forced. St. Peter insists on the knowledge of Christ as essential for growth in grace, at the beginning, as at the end, of this Epistle. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. We notice the doxology addressed to Christ; it reminds us of the hymn which Pliny, in his famous letter to Trajan, says the Christians of Bithynia (one of the provinces mentioned in 1 Peter 1:1) were wont to address to Christ as to God. To him be (or is) the glory - all the glory which belongs to God, which we ascribe to him. "For ever" is, literally, "for the day of the age or of eternity (εἰς ἡμερὰν αἰῶνος)." This remarkable expression is found only here, and is variously interpreted. Bengel explains it as, "dies sine nocte, morus et perpetuus;" Huther as, "the day on which eternity begins as contrasted with time, but which day is likewise all eternity itself." Fronmuller quotes St. Augustine: "It is only one day, but an everlasting day, without yesterday to precede it, and without tomorrow to follow it; not brought forth by the natural sun, which shall exist no more, but by Christ, the Sun of Righteousness."
Greek
But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.
grow
αὐξάνετε (auxanete)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 837: (a) I cause to increase, become greater (b) I increase, grow. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to grow, i.e. Enlarge.
in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.
[the] grace
χάριτι (chariti)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5485: From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act.
and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.
knowledge
γνώσει (gnōsei)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1108: Knowledge, doctrine, wisdom. From ginosko; knowing, i.e. knowledge.
of our
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.
Lord
Κυρίου (Kyriou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.
and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.
Savior
Σωτῆρος (Sōtēros)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 4990: A savior, deliverer, preserver. From sozo; a deliverer, i.e. God or Christ.
Jesus
Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.
Christ.
Χριστοῦ (Christou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.
To Him [be]
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.
the
ἡ (hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
glory
δόξα (doxa)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1391: From the base of dokeo; glory, in a wide application.
both
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.
now
νῦν (nyn)
Adverb
Strong's 3568: A primary particle of present time; 'now'; also as noun or adjective present or immediate.
and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.
to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.
[the] day
ἡμέραν (hēmeran)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.
of eternity.
αἰῶνος (aiōnos)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 165: From the same as aei; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity; by implication, the world; specially a Messianic period.
Amen.
Ἀμήν (Amēn)
Hebrew Word
Strong's 281: Of Hebrew origin; properly, firm, i.e. trustworthy; adverbially, surely.
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2 Peter 3:18 Catholic BibleNT Letters: 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge (2 Pet. 2P iiP ii Pet)