In the context of the Bible, the concept of maturity often refers to spiritual growth and development in the life of a believer. This maturity is not merely an accumulation of knowledge but a deepening relationship with God, characterized by wisdom, discernment, and the fruit of the Spirit.

Biblical Foundation

The New Testament frequently addresses the theme of maturity, urging believers to grow in their faith and understanding. In Ephesians 4:13-15 , the Apostle Paul writes, "until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head."

This passage highlights the goal of spiritual maturity: to become more like Christ. It emphasizes the importance of unity, knowledge, and stability in faith, contrasting maturity with the instability of spiritual infancy.

Characteristics of Maturity

1. Discernment: Mature believers are able to distinguish between good and evil, truth and falsehood. Hebrews 5:14 states, "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil." This discernment is developed through consistent engagement with Scripture and reliance on the Holy Spirit.

2. Fruit of the Spirit: Spiritual maturity is evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit, as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23 : "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." These qualities reflect the character of Christ and are cultivated through a life surrendered to God.

3. Perseverance: Mature believers demonstrate perseverance in trials, understanding that such experiences produce character and hope. James 1:4 encourages, "Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

4. Love: A hallmark of maturity is love, which binds all virtues together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:14 states, "And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity."

Path to Maturity

The journey to maturity involves intentional growth through spiritual disciplines such as prayer, study of the Word, fellowship with other believers, and obedience to God's commands. Philippians 3:12-14 captures the Apostle Paul's pursuit of maturity: "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been perfected, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus."

Role of the Church

The church plays a vital role in nurturing maturity among believers. Ephesians 4:11-12 explains that Christ "gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ." The church provides teaching, accountability, and community, all of which are essential for growth.

Conclusion

While the journey to maturity is lifelong, the Bible assures believers that God is faithful to complete the work He has begun in them (Philippians 1:6). Through His grace and the work of the Holy Spirit, believers are transformed into the likeness of Christ, reflecting His glory to the world.(imp. & p. p.) of Mature.3100. matheteuo -- to be a disciple, to make a disciple
... Cognate: 3100 (from 3101 , "disciple") -- to disciple, ie helping someone to the
Word of God to become a matured, growing (literally, "a learner," a true Christ ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3100.htm - 7k

4615. sinapi -- mustard (a plant)
... A mustard plant reaches a height of three meters (about ten feet). This is a
huge plant when fully matured and bears .]. Word Origin of Eg. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4615.htm - 6k

"Keep Step. "
... It is remarkable that the most perfectly matured bit of organization, in this
day of matured and perfected organizations, is a church. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks with world winners/keep step.htm

Of the Nature of Tithes.
... consisting of natural products, but matured and preserved in part by the care of
man; and of these two sorts the tenth must be paid in gross: The third species ...
/.../prideaux/directions to church-wardens/1 of the nature of.htm

Our Fellow.
... Adam was an unfallen man. Jesus was that and more, a tested and now matured
unfallen man, and by the law of growth ever growing more. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/our fellow.htm

Latitudinarian Churchmanship.
... But if their ideas were not properly matured, or if the time was not properly matured
for them, they at all events contained the germs of much which may be ...
/.../chapter iv latitudinarian churchmanship.htm

Concluding Reflections. Faith and Criticism.
... The critical and historical rationalism which was born and matured in this century
in the land of Luther, and has spread in Switzerland, France, Holland ...
/.../section 102 concluding reflections faith.htm

The Peaceable Fruits of Sorrows Rightly Borne
... It speaks of growth accomplished, of fruit matured, of the ministries of sun and
rain received and used, and of a joyful gathering into the great storehouse. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the peaceable fruits of sorrows.htm

The Princesses of the Comneni
... was the confusion of the credulous patriarch when he realized that he had been
outwitted by the clever woman, who, when her plans were fully matured, made an ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/xiv the princesses of the.htm

Fowler -- the Spirit of Christ
... You are not a man in Christ Jesus; you are only a babe"cleansed, indeed, and
greatly improved by the process, too, but you are not matured. ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/fowler the spirit of.htm

Preface.
... such as is frequently used as a text-book, is highly useful, if it comes in at the
right stage of education, when the mind is sufficiently matured, and has ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/preface.htm

Preface.
... such as is frequently used as a text-book, is highly useful, if it comes in at the
right stage of education, when the mind is sufficiently matured, and has ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/preface.htm

Matured (1 Occurrence)
...Matured (1 Occurrence). James 1:15 Then the passion conceives, and becomes the parent
of sin; and sin, when fully matured, gives birth to death. (WEY). ...
/m/matured.htm - 6k

Mature (11 Occurrences)

/m/mature.htm - 10k

Tirzah (17 Occurrences)
... Zimri perished in the flames of his palace, rather than fall into Omri's hands.
In Tirzah Menahem matured his rebellion against Shallum (2 Kings 15:14). ...
/t/tirzah.htm - 14k

Matures (1 Occurrence)

/m/matures.htm - 6k

Parent (2 Occurrences)
... Parent (2 Occurrences). James 1:15 Then the passion conceives, and becomes the parent
of sin; and sin, when fully matured, gives birth to death. (WEY). ...
/p/parent.htm - 7k

Conceives (3 Occurrences)
... Conceives (3 Occurrences). James 1:15 Then the passion conceives, and becomes the
parent of sin; and sin, when fully matured, gives birth to death. (WEY). ...
/c/conceives.htm - 7k

Consideration (8 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) The result of deliberation, or of attention and examination; matured opinion;
a reflection; as, considerations on the choice of a profession. ...
/c/consideration.htm - 9k

Adult (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Having arrived at maturity, or to full size and
strength; matured; as, an adult person or plant; an adult ape; an adult age. ...
/a/adult.htm - 7k

Abortion (2 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Any fruit or produce that does not come to maturity, or anything which in
its progress, before it is matured or perfect; a complete failure; as, his ...
/a/abortion.htm - 7k

Becomes (138 Occurrences)
... RSV). James 1:15 Then the passion conceives, and becomes the parent of sin;
and sin, when fully matured, gives birth to death. (WEY). ...
/b/becomes.htm - 34k

Who was John the Apostle in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Matured: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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