2 Peter 3:18

But. This stresses the alternative course offered by the apostle. Instead of being led astray the believer can advance in Christian perfection.

Grow. The tense implies “keep on growing.” Peter’s readers had already made tremendous strides in conduct, but they were not be satisfied. They were to continue their spiritual growth (cf. on Matt. 5:48; Eph. 4:13-15; 1 Peter 2:2).

Growth is characteristic of the true child of God as it is of all living things inasmuch as he has found a new life in Christ Jesus (cf. 1 Cor. 4:15). His goal is a character that resembles the perfect character of his Lord, and a mind that is able to think His thoughts after Him. He aspires to “grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (see on Eph. 4:15). In this life, and thereafter in the life to come, the Christian can look forward to endless growth in character and in understanding the will and ways of God. There will ever be new worlds of mind and spirit for him to conquer, new heights to climb, new doors of adventure and opportunity to open.

As Peter has already pointed out (1 Peter 2:2), newborn Christian “babes” grow on the “sincere milk of the word.” But eventually the time comes when they should no longer subsist primarily on a spiritual “milk” diet, but learn to partake of “strong meat” (see on Heb. 5:11-14; 6:1, 2).

Grace. Gr. charis (see on John 1:14; Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:3). Grace is one of the spheres in which the Christian is to grow; he is to become still more firmly established in a personal experience of Christ’s own gracious kindness.

Knowledge. Gr. gnosis (see on 1 Cor. 1:5; 12:8). Here Peter refers to a particular knowledge, the knowledge that makes one fully acquainted with the person, office, work, and power of Jesus Christ. This is a knowledge that can and should increase. Each day of the Christian’s life should add to his understanding of his Master’s mission for the world and for himself. For the comprehensive title here given to Christ, cf. on Matt. 1:1,21; Luke 2:11; cf. Phil. 3:20; 1 Tim. 1:1; Titus 1:4; 2 Peter 1:1, 11.

To him. That is, to Christ. Throughout this epistle Peter has consistently testified to the deity of Christ (cf. chs. 1:11, 17; 2:20; etc.), and now, in the same spirit, addresses the doxology to Him (cf. on Jude 24, 25).

Glory. Gr. doxa (see on John 1:14; Rom. 3:23; 1 Cor. 11:7). In the Greek, doxa is preceded by the definite article, and implies that all possible glory is to be ascribed to the Saviour.

For ever. Gr. eis hemeran aidnos, literally, “unto the day of eternity” (cf. on Rev. 1:6).

Amen. See on Matt. 5:18. Important textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 10) for the omission of this word, but it may well be retained as a fitting close to the epistle.