Definition and Concept:
Maturity, in a biblical context, refers to the process of growing and developing in spiritual understanding, character, and faith. It involves moving from spiritual infancy to a deeper, more profound relationship with God, characterized by wisdom, discernment, and the fruit of the Spirit. Maturity is not merely an accumulation of knowledge but a transformation of the heart and mind to reflect Christ more fully.

Biblical References:

1. Spiritual Growth and Development:
· Ephesians 4:13-15 : "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 emphasizes the goal of spiritual maturity as attaining the fullness of Christ, marked by stability in faith and doctrine.

2. Discernment and Wisdom:
· Hebrews 5:14 : "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil."
· Maturity involves the ability to discern right from wrong, a skill developed through consistent practice and application of biblical principles.

3. Fruit of the Spirit:
· Galatians 5:22-23 : "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
· The evidence of maturity is seen in the manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit, reflecting a life transformed by the Holy Spirit.

4. Perseverance and Endurance:
· James 1:4 : "Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
· Trials and challenges are instrumental in developing maturity, as they cultivate perseverance and completeness in the believer.

Characteristics of Maturity:

· Christlikeness: Maturity is ultimately about becoming more like Christ in character and actions. This involves humility, love, and a servant's heart.
· Stability: A mature believer is not easily swayed by false teachings or circumstances but remains steadfast in faith.
· Responsibility: Maturity includes taking responsibility for one's actions and decisions, living a life that honors God.
· Community and Unity: Mature believers contribute to the unity and edification of the church, recognizing the importance of the body of Christ.

Path to Maturity:

· Engagement with Scripture: Regular study and meditation on God's Word are essential for growth.
· Prayer and Communion with God: A mature relationship with God is fostered through consistent prayer and seeking His presence.
· Fellowship with Believers: Engaging with other believers provides accountability, encouragement, and opportunities for growth.
· Obedience and Application: Maturity is demonstrated through obedience to God's commands and applying biblical truths to daily life.

Challenges to Maturity:

· Spiritual Complacency: A lack of desire to grow can hinder maturity.
· Worldly Influences: The values and distractions of the world can impede spiritual development.
· False Teachings: Being led astray by incorrect doctrine can stunt growth and lead to instability.

Maturity is a lifelong journey, marked by continual growth and transformation into the likeness of Christ. It is both a personal and communal pursuit, as believers encourage one another toward the goal of spiritual completeness.Philippians 3:15
Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing you be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this to you.
Topicalbible.org

Hebrews 5:14
But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Topicalbible.org

1 Corinthians 14:20
Brothers, be not children in understanding: however, in malice be you children, but in understanding be men.
Topicalbible.org

1. (n.) The state or quality of being mature; ripeness; full development; as, the maturity of corn or of grass; maturity of judgment; the maturity of a plan.

2. (n.) Arrival of the time fixed for payment; a becoming due; termination of the period a note, etc., has to run.

2244. helikia -- maturity, ie age
... maturity, ie age. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: helikia Phonetic
Spelling: (hay-lik-ee'-ah) Short Definition: age, stature Definition: age ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2244.htm - 6k

1625. ektrepho -- to bring up to maturity, to nourish
... to bring up to maturity, to nourish. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ektrepho
Phonetic Spelling: (ek-tref'-o) Short Definition: I nourish, nurture, bring ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1625.htm - 7k

5052. telesphoreo -- to bring fruit to perfection, hence to bear ...
... perfect offspring. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: telesphoreo Phonetic Spelling:
(tel-es-for-eh'-o) Short Definition: I bring to maturity Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5052.htm - 7k

187. akmazo -- to be at the prime
... to be at the prime. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: akmazo Phonetic Spelling:
(ak-mad'-zo) Short Definition: I reach maturity, become ripe Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/187.htm - 6k

5047. teleiotes -- completeness, perfection
... Feminine Transliteration: teleiotes Phonetic Spelling: (tel-i-ot'-ace) Short Definition:
perfectness, perfection Definition: perfectness, perfection, maturity. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5047.htm - 7k

837. auxano -- to make to grow, to grow
... grow. 837 -- properly, (increase); become greater in size (maturity, etc.).
837 ("to grow") is to authentic discipleship. Indeed ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/837.htm - 8k

658. apoteleo -- to bring to an end, complete
... ap-ot-el-eh'-o) Short Definition: I complete, accomplish, form fully, perfect
Definition: I complete, accomplish, form fully, perfect, bring to maturity. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/658.htm - 6k

3809. paideia -- the rearing of a child, training, discipline
... chastisement, correction. Cognate: 3809 (from 3811 , see there) -- properly,
that someone to reach full development (maturity). Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3809.htm - 7k

3624. kelach -- firm or rugged strength
... full old age. From an unused root meaning to be complete; maturity -- full
(old) age. 3623, 3624. kelach. 3625 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/3624.htm - 6k

202. on -- vigor, wealth
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition vigor, wealth NASB Word Usage maturity
(1), might (2), power (1), strength (3), strong men (1), vigor (1), vigorous ...
/hebrew/202.htm - 6k

Mingled in Growth, Separated in Maturity
... MINGLED IN GROWTH, SEPARATED IN MATURITY. 'Another parable put He forth
unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/mingled in growth separated in.htm

On the Growth of the Soul. Its Maturity Coincident with the ...
... Chapter XXXVIII."On the Growth of the Soul. Its Maturity Coincident with
the Maturity of the Flesh in Man. Now we have already ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter xxxviii on the growth of.htm

The Books of the Old Testament as a Whole. 1 the Province of ...
... The gospel everywhere assumes that when the Saviour appeared, men had attained to
a state of comparative maturity in respect to both the knowledge of God and ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xviii the books of.htm

The First Opinion, which I Reject, but which is Espoused by those ...
... way to salvation, by which he conducts those children of believers and saints who
depart out of this life before they arrive at years of maturity; that is ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/1 the first opinion which.htm

The Goal of Progress
... We have here a threefold expression of the true unity, as consisting in a oneness
of relation to Christ, a consequent maturity of manhood and a perfect ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the goal of progress.htm

Christ Our Passover
... Then it was in its prime then its strength was unexhausted, then its power was just
ripened into maturity and perfection, God would not have an untimely fruit. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/christ our passover.htm

A Treatise on the Soul
... Its Relation with the Subject of This Treatise. Chapter XXXVIII.--On the Growth
of the Soul. Its Maturity Coincident with the Maturity of the Flesh in Man. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/a treatise on the soul/

When a Man Sows, He Expects to Reap.
... Some harvests ripen almost immediately, but as a rule we find it true in the natural
world that there is delay before the seed comes to maturity. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sowing and reaping/chapter iii when a man.htm

Letter i. The Christian's Mark.
... There are two things that no one would expect to see, in the growth of
such a plant: (1.) To spring at once into full maturity. ...
/.../letter i the christians mark.htm

Importance of the Time of Youth; Difficulties and Dangers that ...
... to repair the past and prepare for the future; that period holds the intermediate
place between the age of infancy and the age of maturity, embracing the ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter i importance of the.htm

Maturity (5 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The state or quality of being mature; ripeness; full development; as, the
maturity of corn or of grass; maturity of judgment; the maturity of a plan. ...
/m/maturity.htm - 8k

Mature (11 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To bring or hasten to maturity; to promote ripeness in; to ripen;
to complete; as, to mature one's plans. 6. (vi) To advance ...
/m/mature.htm - 10k

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

Marriage (74 Occurrences)
... It was regarded as awaiting everyone on reaching maturity; and sexual maturity comes
much earlier indeed in the East than with us in the West-in what we call ...
/m/marriage.htm - 62k

Bring (1372 Occurrences)
... The New Testament employs telesphoreo = "to bring to maturity," "to ripen" (Luke
8:14); hupomimnesko = "to bring to mind," "suggest," "bring to remembrance ...
/b/bring.htm - 40k

Young (3454 Occurrences)
... 1. (superl.) Not long born; still in the first part of life; not yet arrived at
adolescence, maturity, or age; not old; juvenile; -- said of animals; as, a ...
/y/young.htm - 10k

Youth (169 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The part of life that succeeds to childhood; the period of existence preceding
maturity or age; the whole early part of life, from childhood, or ...
/y/youth.htm - 37k

Longevity
...Maturity is earlier, and signs of senility appear among them sooner than
among the same class in Great Britain. Alexander Macalister. ...
/l/longevity.htm - 9k

Live (3203 Occurrences)
... as food, and to be dependent on such assimilation for a continuance of existence;
as, animals and plants that live to a great age are long in reaching maturity...
/l/live.htm - 8k

Growth (77 Occurrences)
... process of growing; the gradual increase of an animal or a vegetable body; the
development from a seed, germ, or root, to full size or maturity; increase in ...
/g/growth.htm - 29k

What is spiritual maturity? How can I become more spiritually mature? | GotQuestions.org

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Maturity: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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