Quality and Quantity (1 Peter 2:2)

1 Peter 2:2 says, that just like babies that have just been born, have a naturally strong craving for their mother's milk, for their sustenance, it is logical, for us who are born of the Spirit of God, to naturally crave what our Father gives us for our growth and sustenance. (paraphrase, more in keeping with the meaning of the Greek text).

GROW

In the KJV the text uses the word "grow". The word in the Greek is (auxano), which can signify "development"; "growth", such as in plants, but it also relates to "increase" in the sense of importance or sphere of influence, like Jesus "increasing" while John the Baptist decreased, (Jn.3:30) or the impact and effect of the church (Acts 6:7; 12:24; 19:2). These two senses of the word are common in both classic literature, and the Biblical text:

1) individual growth and development. (quality)

2) growth in influence and impact. (quantity)

What is also common in the scriptural text, is the constant use of what is termed, the "imperfect" tense. In the Greek, this means that the action is on-going; continuous; does not come to an end. There are several examples of this usage, including 1 Peter 2:2.

SCRIPTUAL EXAMPLES

John 3:30 - Jesus must go on growing; increasing, while John the Baptist was decreasing, in importance and influence.

Acts 12:24 - The word of God experiences continuous; on-going growth and influence, not impeded or hampered in any way.

2 Corinthians 9:10 - In relation to giving, the effect of our giving, is consistent and constant, not stopping or digressing.

Acts 19:20 - "...so mightily grew the word of God..." signifying on-going; continuously growing.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 - Paul planted; Apollos watered; but God - He alone, and no other (the emphasis in the Greek), made it continuously grow and increase. [Others may be planters, or water, but God is the God of increase]

In Colossians 2:17, all the body "increases with the increase of God", or, more accurately, God causes increase to the individual members, and they cause increase by their effect and impact on other members, as they themselves grow.

Also of note, is Ephesians 4:15, an often mistranslated verse, that talks of not "speaking the truth in love", which has become the justification for numerous hurtful confrontations, but rather, as the Greek text indicates, "confessing the truth, may, in love, grow up into Him, in all things." In other words, by our confession of the Word of truth, it keeps us in love, and causes our spiritual growth and development in Him.

ON-GOING / CONTINUOUS

The word (auxano), as noted by its NT use, is almost exclusively in the active imperfect tense, meaning it is on-going; continuous; not stopping or suspended for any reason. If God, and His word, initiates and perpetuates the growth, then constant "feeding" on His word, will constantly cause change; growth; and development, in our lives. A lack of "feeding" on the word would

 be evidenced by a lack of development in our lives.

KEEPS ON PRODUCING

The impact of this word is demonstrated in the parable of the Sower and the Seed, where the seed yielded fruit, that sprang up; increased, and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. (Mark 4:8). The meaning of the text is not that some seed produces different quantitative values or harvests, but rather the SAME SEED keeps on producing! The seed of God's word is so powerful, that it keeps on producing multiple harvests. Some times it is 30 times as much; some times it is 60 times as much; and some times it may be a 100 times as much, but the same seed keeps producing multiple harvests! The imagery is of a perennial plant that keeps growing, and keeps producing.

We continue to grow and develop; get stronger, like a perennial fruit tree, as we passionately desire the pure unadulterated spiritual sustenance from God, in the same way as a newly born baby craves it's mother's milk, and we will continue to bear fruit, for the benefit of all, having positive impact and development on the lives of others.

BE FRUITFUL

Used 22 times in the NT, (auxano), in it's OT use, is the translation of the common expression in Genesis to "be fruitful", and multiply, and expresses the core meaning of the word, in the sense of bearing fruit; having influence; or numerical growth, as well as the aspect, like any fruit tree, of constant growth and maturity, to get to the level of development, to produce the maximum yield.

What is seen in this metaphorical example, is that the word of God, in our lives, produces both 'qualitative growth', and 'quantitative growth'. Generally, the quality improves, and the quantity, or impact and influence, also increases.

FASCINATING FACTS:

The Latin (augere), 'increase'; 'grow', is from the same derivative as (august); both used to translate (auxano). The 8th month of the year was originally named (sextilus), the 6th month from March, where the Romans, as well as the Jews, started their year. The name was changed to August in honor of the emperor Octavius Augustus, on account of his victories, and entering on his first consulate in that month. August means grand; magnificent; majestic; impressing or inspiring awe, and was the title conferred upon Octavius by the Roman senate, after confirming him into power to rule. (Webster)

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours