Marks on the Wall (1)

BySkip Moen, Ph.D.

alike newborn babies, long for the 1bpure 2milk of the word, so that by it you may cgrow 3in respect to salvation, 1 Peter 2:2  NASB 1995

In respect to salvation – When I was a child, my parents would stand me against a special part of the walls in our home and mark my height on each birthday.  I could look at that wall and see progress.  Growth with respect to maturity.  That makes sense.  But this verse sounds a little strange.  If I am saved, then what is growth in respect to salvation?  Can I be more saved?  Can I be less saved?  What does Peter have in mind?

You will notice that I’ve kept all the footnotes in the NASB translation.  The one attached to our phrase reads: “Or, up to salvation.”  The Greek word for this entire phrase is eis.  It’s usually translated “in, into, until, etc.”  The TDNT notes: “eis denotes relationship as such in a neutral sense, ‘with reference to,’ ‘relative to’ (cf. 1 Cor. 4:6; Eph. 5:32). This is probably the meaning in Lk. 12:21 (rich in relation to God) and Rom. 5:18 (with effect upon all).”[1]  Perhaps the translation would be better understood as “grow in salvation.”  The idea is that we mature in our relationship with God.  We look back and see those marks on the “wall” that assure us we are developing.  Questions like “more” or “less” salvation don’t apply any more than if someone asked, “Were you more or less alive when your father made that mark on the wall?”  Nonsense.  It’s a matter of “how much,” not “being or not being.”

So, if Peter thinks of salvation as a maturing process, what are the marks on the spiritual wall?

How do I know if I’m growing rather than coasting?  Let me offer some suggestions.

  • Do you have a better understanding of Scripture? Has your spiritual vocabulary increased?  Have you seen a shift in your childhood paradigm?
  • Has your experience of God’s presence grown? Do you feel His hand more often?  Is your communication with Him robust (I didn’t say “pleasant”)?
  • Do you struggle? Yes, that’s right.  Growth stretches us.  If you are maturing in salvation, then you’re facing new challenges, new questions, new ways of acting and thinking?  If everything is the same day after day, the growth has stopped.
  • Are you more convicted? About yourself, your behavior, your commitment to others, your obedience?  Growth means deeper self-reflection and that may mean a greater sensitivity toward ego-driven behavior.
  • Are you unsatisfied? Growth is continuous.  That means never being satisfied with your current level, yearning for more, never giving up.

Eis, a tiny preposition with enormous implications.

Topical Index: eis, in, with respect to, growth, salvation, 1 Peter 2:2

[1]Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1985). In Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged in One Volume (p. 1136). W.B. Eerdmans.

 

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3 Comments
Tim Baker

Excellent! I am printing the checklist for a reminder. Isn’t this what our Lord was referring to in the Beatitudes…”Blessed (happy, highly favored, in a place of growth) are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled (continuously receiving saving revelation).

This really spoke to me today and at a needed moment. Thank you so much.

Tim Baker

If I may add one to the above list, (and I hope others will do the same for the benefit of all), Are you jealous for the time to be alone with God, to revel in his presence, a quiet time of communion with the Father and Son, a debriefing of events, a time to receive correction and revelation, a time just to rest in Him while he whittles and fashions your inward man.

Skip Moen, Ph.D.

Yes, thanks.