But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Notice that "grace" and "knowledge" are presented as a pair; they aren't separate things to pursue but grow together. True knowledge of Jesus isn't just intellectual understanding, but a deeper, transformative experience fueled by His grace.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter is wrapping up his letter with a final charge to his readers, urging them to actively pursue spiritual growth in Christ, contrasting it with the deceptive teachings of false prophets he warned against earlier. This exhortation to grow in grace and knowledge serves as the capstone to his warnings about false teachers and the certainty of Christ's return, emphasizing that solid growth in understanding Jesus is the best defense against error and the surest way to live in light of eternity.
We hear 'grace' a lot, but what does it really mean for our daily lives? It's more than just a feeling – it's God's power at work in us.
Peter calls us to 'grow in grace.' This isn't about earning God's favor; it's about deepening our understanding and experience of His unmerited kindness and empowering presence. Grace is God's active, unearned favor that enables us to live as He calls us to. It's the divine capacity to live the Christian life. Growing in grace means recognizing how much we depend on God's help for everything – from overcoming sin to loving others well. It's about actively receiving and relying on His strength, not striving in our own.
It's easy to think of 'knowledge' as just memorizing facts. But the Bible talks about a different kind of knowing – one that transforms us.
The 'knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ' isn't just intellectual assent; it's an intimate, relational understanding. It means knowing who Jesus is – His character, His mission, His finished work – and how He impacts our lives. Growing in this knowledge involves studying Scripture, reflecting on His actions, and experiencing His presence through the Holy Spirit. It's about seeing Him more clearly, which naturally leads us to love Him more deeply and follow Him more closely. This kind of knowledge changes our perspective, our priorities, and our very being.
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Why does Peter end with this? Understanding the ultimate destination helps us navigate the journey of faith with purpose.
Peter pivots from our growth to God's glory. He reminds us that the entire Christian life – our growth in grace and knowledge – is ultimately for the praise and honor of Jesus Christ. 'To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity' is a profound statement of worship. It means Jesus deserves glory not just in the present, but for all time. This perspective shifts our focus from ourselves and our progress to the magnificent Person of Christ. Our growth isn't an end in itself; it's a means to participate in and reflect His everlasting glory. This anchors our hope and fuels our perseverance, knowing that our journey is part of a cosmic story of redemption pointing to His supreme majesty.
Understand the original words
charis · Greek Noun
The unmerited, gracious favor of God toward sinful humanity, which is the source of salvation and the power that sustains and transforms the life of the believer.
gnōsis · Greek Noun
Knowing or recognizing the truth of God; it refers not merely to intellectual accumulation, but to a relational and experiential knowledge of God and His Word.
doxa · Greek Noun
The manifestation of God’s divine splendor, majesty, and worth; it is the ultimate end and praise due to God for who He is and what He has done.
This passage echoes the call to 'yearn for the pure spiritual milk' of God's Word, drawing a parallel to Peter's instruction to 'grow in the knowledge' of Christ.
Ephesians 4:14-15This speaks to avoiding being tossed around by false teachings and instead 'speaking the truth in love, may grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,' which aligns with growing in Christ's knowledge.
Colossians 1:10It calls for believers to 'be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,' reinforcing the idea of continuous growth in understanding who Jesus is.
John 17:3Jesus Himself defines eternal life as 'knowing you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent,' directly linking true knowledge of God and Christ to the ultimate goal of our faith.
Notice that "grace" and "knowledge" are presented as a pair; they aren't separate things to pursue but grow together. True knowledge of Jesus isn't just intellectual understanding, but a deeper, transformative experience fueled by His grace.
Peter is wrapping up his letter with a final charge to his readers, urging them to actively pursue spiritual growth in Christ, contrasting it with the deceptive teachings of false prophets he warned against earlier. This exhortation to grow in grace and knowledge serves as the capstone to his warnings about false teachers and the certainty of Christ's return, emphasizing that solid growth in understanding Jesus is the best defense against error and the surest way to live in light of eternity.
Peter is wrapping up his letter with a final charge to his readers, urging them to actively pursue spiritual growth in Christ, contrasting it with the deceptive teachings of false prophets he warned against earlier. This exhortation to grow in grace and knowledge serves as the capstone to his warnings about false teachers and the certainty of Christ's return, emphasizing that solid growth in understanding Jesus is the best defense against error and the surest way to live in light of eternity.
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." — Notice that "grace" and "knowledge" are presented as a pair; they aren't separate things to pursue but grow together. True knowledge of Jesus isn't just intellectual understanding, but a deeper, tran…
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Last reviewed October 2026