Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of growth is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, symbolizing both physical and spiritual development. In Scripture, growth is often used metaphorically to describe the maturation of faith, the expansion of God's kingdom, and the increase of wisdom and understanding among believers.
Physical Growth:Physical growth is acknowledged in the Bible as a natural part of life. In
Luke 2:52, it is noted that "Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." This verse highlights the holistic development of Jesus, encompassing physical, intellectual, and spiritual growth.
Spiritual Growth:Spiritual growth is a central focus in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to mature in their faith. In
2 Peter 3:18, the apostle Peter exhorts Christians to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." This growth is not merely an increase in knowledge but involves a deeper relationship with Christ and a more profound understanding of His teachings.
The Apostle Paul frequently addresses spiritual growth in his epistles. In
Ephesians 4:15, he writes, "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head." Here, growth is associated with unity and maturity within the body of Christ, emphasizing the importance of love and truth in the process.
Growth of the Kingdom:The growth of God's kingdom is another significant theme. Jesus uses parables to illustrate this concept, such as the Parable of the Mustard Seed in
Matthew 13:31-32: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man planted in his field. Although it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches." This parable demonstrates how the kingdom of God starts small but grows to have a significant impact.
Growth in Wisdom and Understanding:The Bible also emphasizes the importance of growing in wisdom and understanding.
Proverbs 1:5 states, "Let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel." Growth in wisdom is portrayed as a lifelong pursuit, essential for living a life that honors God.
Obstacles to Growth:Scripture acknowledges that growth can be hindered by various factors. In the Parable of the Sower (
Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23), Jesus describes how different types of soil affect the growth of seeds, symbolizing how different conditions of the heart can impact spiritual growth. Thorns, representing the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth, can choke the word, making it unfruitful.
Encouragement to Grow:Believers are encouraged to actively pursue growth.
Hebrews 5:12-14 admonishes those who remain spiritually immature, urging them to move beyond elementary teachings and grow into maturity. The passage highlights the expectation that believers should progress in their understanding and application of God's word.
In summary, the Bible presents growth as an essential aspect of the Christian life, encompassing physical, spiritual, and intellectual dimensions. It is a process that requires intentionality, perseverance, and reliance on God's grace. Through growth, believers are better equipped to fulfill their purpose and contribute to the expansion of God's kingdom.
Greek
305. anabaino -- to go up, ascend... 3), came (7), climbed (1), climbs (1), come (4), comes (2), coming (3), entered
(2), go (6), goes (1), going (6), gone (3), got (2), grew (1),
grows (1), rises
...837. auxano -- to make to grow, to grow
... to make to grow, to grow NASB Word Usage causes the growth (1), causing the growth
(1), full grown (1), grew (1), grow (8), growing (2),grows (2), increase (2...
2210. zemioo -- to damage, suffer loss
... the irony of how . As a persongrows in knowing Christ they willingly
"lose" their "right" to be #NAME? eternal significance in...
4121. pleonazo -- to superabound, to make to abound
... of polus Definition to superabound, to make to abound NASB Word Usage cause* (1),
grows...greater (1), have too much (1), increase (3), increased (1...
3653. olunthos -- an unripe fig
... olunthos Phonetic Spelling: (ol'-oon-thos) Short Definition: an unripe fig Definition:
an unripe fig, one which, not ripening in due time,grows through the...
2215. zizanion -- zizanium (a kind of darnel resembling wheat)
... zizanion Phonetic Spelling: (dziz-an'-ee-on) Short Definition: spurious wheat, darnel
Definition: spurious wheat, darnel; a plant thatgrows in Palestine which...
3373. mekuno -- to lengthen, grow
... Word Origin from mekos Definition to lengthen, grow NASB Word Usagegrows (1). grow
up. From mekos; to lengthen, ie (middle voice) to enlarge -- grow up....
4808. suke -- a fig tree
... Definition: a fig-tree. 4808 -- fig tree whichgrows plentifully in Palestine
as a wild and cultivated tree. The fig tree bears...
4807. sukaminos -- the mulberry tree, the sycamine
... 4809 ().]. 4807 ("mulberry tree") is deciduous, yields black berries, and
grows about six meters high (roughly 20 feet). [ the 4809...
Strong's Hebrew
5501b. sachish -- something thatgrows by itself (a kind of grain)... 5501a, 5501b. sachish. 5502 . something that
grows by itself (a kind of
grain). Transliteration: sachish Short Definition: springs.
...5599b. saphiach -- growth from spilled kernels
... Word Origin from the same as saphiach Definition growth from spilled kernels NASB
Word Usage aftergrowth (2), whatgrows (2). 5599a, 5599b. saphiach. 5600...
8259. shaqaph -- to overhang, look out or down
... root Definition to overhang, look out or down NASB Word Usagegrows (1), look down
(1), looked (6), looked down (8), looks down (3), overlooks* (3)....
8025. shalaph -- to draw out or off
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to draw out or off NASB Word Usage draw (9),
drawn (4), drawn forth (1), drew (7),grows (1), removed (2), swordsmen* (1)....
5927. alah -- to go up, ascend, climb
... 1), get back (1), give off (1), go (140), goes (6), going (8), gone (18), gone away
(2), got back (1), grew (3), grow (2), grow back (1),grows (1), imported...
5848c. ataph -- to be feeble or faint
... root Definition to be feeble or faint NASB Word Usage faint (4), fainted (1), fainting
away (1), feeble (1), feebler (1), grow faint (1),grows faint (1...
5599. caphiyach -- outpouring
... akh) Short Definition: outpouring. such things as which grow of themselves,
whichgrows of its own accord From caphach; something...
3318. yatsa -- to go or come out
... 1), go off (1), go outside (2), go straight (1), goes (10), goes forth (9), going
(20), going forth (8), gone (23), gone forth (10), grow (1),grows (1), hardly...
1431. gadal -- to grow up, become great
... great things (5), great things he has done (1), greater (4), grew (15), grew...great
(1), grow (2), grow long (1), grown (5), grown-up (1),grows (1), highly...
Library
How the SoulGrows Cold in Holy Love.
... BOOK IV. OF THE DECAY AND RUIN OF CHARITY. CHAPTER II. HOW THE SOULGROWS
COLD IN HOLY LOVE. The soul is often grieved and troubled...
The Great vine Picture.
... Each of these four wordsgrows out of the other as fruit out of blossom, and blossom
out of the new branch and that out of the old stock of the vine: believe...
Growth in Grace
... grace? (1.) Hegrows vigore, in the exercise of grace. His... forth. Cant 4:16.
(2.) A Christiangrows gradu, in the degree of grace. He...
'To Him that Hath Shall be Given'
... course. Treasure usedgrows; treasure hoarded rusts and dwindles. The millionaire
will double his fortune by a successful speculation....
"Consider the Lilies. "
... and anxieties. The lily does not struggle; it has no anxieties about its
future; but itgrows. Itgrows to be beautiful. Even Solomon...
To Prevent Ambiguity, we must Begin with Clear Definition.
... For were one to say that he calls whatevergrows and is fed an animal, we shall
have again to ask further, whether he considered plants to be animals; and then...
Spelling God.
... The spellinggrows bigger to us when Jesus comes.... Godgrows larger to our eyes as
He comes walking among us as Jesus. No, He doesn't grow larger....
Growing Faith.
... A man can get a deeper faith only by walking on his own feet where Jesus leads.
Their faithgrows imperceptibly but by leaps and bounds....
"Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on...
... Christ Jesus is the tree of life, thatgrows in the garden of God; trusting in him
by faith implants a soul in him,"roots a soul in him, by virtue of which...
To Monna Agnese who was the Wife of Messer Orso Malavolti
... It burns and does not consume, but is evermore renewed"that is, it never
grows less, and therefore I say, it does not consume....
Thesaurus
Grows (46 Occurrences)...Grows (46 Occurrences).
... Mark 4:27 he spends days and nights, now awake, now asleep,
while the seed sprouts and
grows tall, he knows not how. (WEY NAS NIV).
...Gourd (4 Occurrences)
... noon-day sun. Itgrows with extraordinary rapidity, and when cut or injured
withers away also with great rapidity. (2.) Wild gourds...
Reap (35 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 25:5 Whatgrows of itself in your harvest you shall not reap,
and the grapes of your undressed vine you shall not gather....
Grow (139 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To spring up and come to maturity in a natural way; to be produced by
vegetation; to thrive; to flourish; as, ricegrows in warm countries....
Yeast (48 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Spume, or foam, of water. 3. (n.) A form of fungus whichgrows as individual
rounded cells, rather than in a mycelium, and reproduces by budding; esp....
Undressed (4 Occurrences)
... (ASV YLT). Leviticus 25:5 Whatgrows of itself in your harvest you shall not reap,
and the grapes of your undressed vine you shall not gather....
Grower (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One whogrows or produces; as, a grower of corn;
also, that whichgrows or increases; as, a vine may be a rank or a slow grower....
Firmly (47 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 4:16 Dependent on Him, the whole body--its various parts closely fitting
and firmly adhering to one another--grows by the aid of every contributory...
Flag (30 Occurrences)
... esculentus, a species of rush eaten by cattle, the Nile reed. It alsogrows
in Palestine. In Exodus 2:3, 5, Isaiah 19:6, it is the...
Fitting (29 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 4:16 Dependent on Him, the whole body--its various parts closely fitting
and firmly adhering to one another--grows by the aid of every contributory...
Resources
What does it mean that good works are the result of salvation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to be born of God? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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