2 Peter 3:18 Meaning and Explanation
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Peter's last word is an invitation to keep growing in grace and in knowing Jesus.
The Context of 2 Peter 3:18
These are the closing words of the whole letter, and the last we have from Peter in Scripture. Having warned against those who are "led away with the error of the wicked" (verse 17), he ends with a living direction rather than with fear: keep growing.
What Does 2 Peter 3:18 Mean?
Peter ends his final letter the way a parent might end a last note to a child: with one simple, hopeful charge. Grow. Grow in grace, sinking deeper into the kindness God freely gives, and in the knowledge of Jesus, coming to know Him better and better, far beyond rules or cleverness. The Christian life is pictured here as something alive and unfinished, always reaching toward more of Christ. There is no point at which we have arrived; there is always further to grow into His love.
And then Peter cannot help himself: he breaks into praise. "To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." The man who once denied Jesus by a fire now closes his life pouring out honor to Him, sure of His glory in this moment and through all eternity. It is a fitting last word. Everything in the letter has led here, to the simple, endless joy of knowing and praising the Lord who saved us, with all our growing carrying us further into Him.
2 Peter 3:18 in the Original Language
auxano (αὐξάνω), 'grow' -- to increase and develop, as a living plant grows toward its full size.
How to Apply 2 Peter 3:18 Today
Peter leaves us with one gentle aim for the whole of life: to keep growing in grace and in knowing Jesus more deeply. We never outgrow that road, and we are not meant to. As we grow, the most natural thing in the world is what Peter does here, to give glory to the Lord who has loved us all along.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Peter 3:18
What does 2 Peter 3:18 mean?
Peter's last word is an invitation to keep growing in grace and in knowing Jesus.
What is the context of 2 Peter 3:18?
These are the closing words of the whole letter, and the last we have from Peter in Scripture. Having warned against those who are "led away with the error of the wicked" (verse 17), he ends with a living direction rather than with fear: keep growing.
How can I apply 2 Peter 3:18 today?
Peter leaves us with one gentle aim for the whole of life: to keep growing in grace and in knowing Jesus more deeply. We never outgrow that road, and we are not meant to. As we grow, the most natural thing in the world is what Peter does here, to give glory to the Lord who has loved us all along.