Bible Commentaries
Commentary by J.C.Philpot on select texts of the Bible
2 Peter 3
2 Peter 3:18
"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18
Growth is the sure mark of life. We see this in vegetation, in the animal creation, in the growth of our own bodies, and of every other thing in which there is life. Where, then, there is the life of God in the soul, there will be a growth in that life. Paul says to the Thessalonian Church—"We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fit, because your faith grows exceedingly" ( 2 Thessalonians 1:3); and Peter says, "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." There is "an increasing in the knowledge of God" ( Colossians 1:10), and "a coming in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect Ephesians 4:13). It was for this increasing knowledge of the Son of God that Paul stretched every desire of his soul when he followed after, if that he might apprehend that for which also he was apprehended of Christ Jesus; and thus reaching forth unto those things which were before, he pressed toward the Philippians 3:12-14).
This is not what is called "progressive sanctification", as if the flesh got holier and holier, for that is still ever "the old Colossians 1:9-10).
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