42 Bible Verses about Maturity

And this shall continue, until we all attain to that unity which is given by faith and by a fuller knowledge of the Son of God; until we reach the ideal man--the full standard of the perfection of the Christ.

But 'solid food' is for Christians of mature faith--those whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish right from wrong.

My point is this--As long as the heir is under age, there is no difference between him and a slave, though he is master of the whole estate.

Let all of us, then, whose faith is mature, think thus. Then, if on any matter you think otherwise, God will make that also plain to you.

This is the Christ whom we proclaim, warning every one, and instructing every one, with all the wisdom that we possess, in the hope of bringing every one into God's presence perfected by union with Christ.

Therefore, let us leave behind the elementary teaching about the Christ and press on to perfection, not always laying over again a foundation of repentance for a lifeless formality, of faith in God--

The Presiding-Officer should not be a recent convert, that he may not be blinded by pride and fall under the same condemnation as the Devil.

For whereas, considering the time that has elapsed, you ought to be teaching others, you still need some one to teach you the very alphabet of the Divine Revelation, and need again to be fed with 'milk' instead of with 'solid food.'

Yet there is a philosophy that we teach to those whose faith is matured, but it is not the philosophy of to-day, nor that of the leaders of to-day-men whose downfall is at hand.

And let endurance do its work perfectly, so that you may be altogether perfect, and in no respect deficient.

And Jesus grew in wisdom as he grew in years, and 'gained the blessing of God and men.'

Epaphras, who is one of yourselves, sends you his greeting. He is a servant of Christ Jesus, and is always most earnest in your behalf in his prayers, praying that you may stand firm, with a matured faith and with a sure conviction of all that is in accordance with God's will.

Brothers, do not show yourselves children in understanding. In wickedness be infants, but in understanding show yourselves men.

We often make mistakes, every one of us. Any one who does not make mistakes when speaking is indeed a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body as well.

And now, brothers, good-bye. Aim at perfection; take courage; agree together; live in peace. And then God, the source of all love and peace, will be with you.

like newly born infants, crave pure spiritual milk, so that you may be enabled by it to grow till you attain Salvation--

I fed you with milk, not with solid food, for you were not then able to take it. No, and even now you are not able; you are still worldly.

Knowing, as you do, that the testing of your faith develops endurance.

We are glad when we are weak, if you are strong. And what we pray for is that you may become perfect.

Then Passion conceives and gives birth to Sin, and Sin, on reaching maturity, brings forth Death.

The ground bears the crop of itself--first the blade, then the ear, and then the full grain in the ear;

By that which fell among the brambles are meant those who hear the Message, but who, as they go on their way, are completely choked by this world's cares and wealth and pleasures, and bring nothing to perfection.

But holding the truth in a spirit of love, we shall grow into complete union with him who is our Head--Christ himself.

To fit his People for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the Body of the Christ.

For every one who still has to take 'milk' knows nothing of the Teaching of Righteousness; he is a mere infant.

Yes and, with God's help, we will.

You, then, must become perfect--as your heavenly Father is perfect.

I write, Fathers, to you, because you have learned to know him who has been from the Beginning. I write, Young Men, to you, because you are strong, and God's Message is always in your hearts, and you have conquered the Evil One.

Over all these virtues put on love; for that is the girdle which makes all complete.

Then you will not show yourselves slow to learn, but you will copy those who, through faith and patience, are now entering upon the enjoyment of God's promises.

And not only that, but let us also exult in our troubles;

I press on to the goal, to gain the prize of that heavenward Call which God gave me through Christ Jesus.

For we know that trouble develops endurance, and endurance strength of character, and strength of character hope,

You for whom I am again enduring a mother's pains, till a likeness to Christ shall have been formed in you.

Then we shall no longer be like infants, tossed backward and forward, blown about by every breath of human teaching, through the trickery and the craftiness of men, towards the snares of error;

In view of that Divine Order which was to mark the completion of the ages, when he should make everything, both in Heaven and on earth, center in him.

This was why his parents said 'He is old enough; ask him.'

As for those whose faith is weak, always receive them as friends, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on their scruples.

But at a meeting of the Church I would rather speak five words with my mind, and so teach others, than ten thousand words when using the gift of 'tongues.'