The term "grown-up" is not explicitly found in the Bible; however, the concept of maturity, both spiritual and physical, is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures. The Bible often contrasts the innocence and simplicity of childhood with the responsibilities and wisdom expected of adults.

Physical Maturity:

In the Bible, physical maturity is often associated with the ability to take on responsibilities and fulfill roles within the family and community. For example, in Jewish tradition, a boy's transition to manhood is marked by the Bar Mitzvah, which is not directly mentioned in the Bible but is rooted in the Jewish understanding of maturity. The Bible does, however, provide examples of young men taking on adult responsibilities. David, for instance, was anointed as king while still a youth (1 Samuel 16:12-13), and Joseph was given authority over Egypt at the age of thirty (Genesis 41:46).

Spiritual Maturity:

Spiritual maturity is a significant focus in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the need for believers to grow in their faith and understanding. In 1 Corinthians 13:11 , Paul writes, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside childish ways." This passage highlights the expectation for believers to progress from spiritual infancy to maturity.

The writer of Hebrews also emphasizes the importance of spiritual growth, urging believers to move beyond elementary teachings and strive for maturity: "Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God" (Hebrews 6:1).

Characteristics of Maturity:

The Bible outlines several characteristics of a mature believer. These include wisdom, discernment, and the ability to teach others. James 1:5 encourages believers to seek wisdom from God: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him." Wisdom is a hallmark of maturity, enabling individuals to make sound decisions and lead others effectively.

Discernment is another key aspect of maturity. Hebrews 5:14 states, "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil." Mature believers are expected to have a well-developed sense of discernment, allowing them to navigate complex moral and spiritual issues.

Finally, the ability to teach and mentor others is a sign of maturity. Paul instructs Timothy to entrust the teachings of the faith to "faithful men who will be qualified to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2). Mature believers are called to pass on their knowledge and guide others in their spiritual journey.

Conclusion:

While the Bible does not use the term "grown-up," it provides a comprehensive framework for understanding maturity. Both physical and spiritual maturity are valued, with an emphasis on growing in wisdom, discernment, and the ability to lead and teach others. Through these qualities, believers are equipped to fulfill their God-given roles and responsibilities.2245. helikos -- how great, how small
... 2245 (from , " comrade") -- properly, fully grown (adult); (figuratively) "great"
by "coming of age," ie ("grown up"). See also 5082 ("so great"). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2245.htm - 7k7054. qamah -- standing grain
... standing corn, grown up, stalk. Feminine of active participle of quwm; something
that rises, ie A stalk of grain -- (standing) corn, grown up, stalk. ...
/hebrew/7054.htm - 6k

648. aphil -- late
... not grown up. From the same as 'aphel (in the sense of weakness); unripe -- not
grown up. see HEBREW 'aphel. 647b, 648. aphil. 649 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/648.htm - 6k

1431. gadal -- to grow up, become great
... great (10), great things (5), great things he has done (1), greater (4), grew (15),
grew...great (1), grow (2), grow long (1), grown (5), grown-up (1), grows (1 ...
/hebrew/1431.htm - 7k

Whether Infants Shall Rise in that Body which they Would have had ...
... Book XXII. Chapter 14."Whether Infants Shall Rise in that Body Which They
Would Have Had Had They Grown Up. What, then, are we ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 14 whether infants shall rise.htm

Unwashen Hands
... baptism. Thus an elaborate system of ceremonial washing, not for cleansing,
but as a religious precaution, had grown up among the Jews. ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 6 53-7 13 unwashen hands.htm

The Christ Child (Christmas Day. )
... Not merely the nature of a great man, of a wise man, of a grown up man only: but
ALL human nature, from the nature of the babe on its mother's bosom, to the ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xviii the christ child.htm

Religious Patriotism.
... He who, having grown up in any society like ours, is possessed by no such love for
it, and stirred by no enthusiasm for its good name, and no desire to do it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/percival/sermons at rugby/i religious patriotism.htm

He came to his Own.
... And the dear old soul, in her fine simplicity, did not think into what this would
mean, nor of the difference that had grown up with the years, in manner of ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/he came to his own.htm

How to Split a Kingdom
... be thy servants for ever.8. But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they
had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/how to split a kingdom.htm

To the Reader. Christian Reader
... 6, "O my God, I am ashamed, and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God, for our
iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/to the reader christian reader.htm

Rehoboam's Great Mistake
... But he rejected the advice which the old men had given him and asked the young
men who had grown up with him and had been in his service. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/rehoboams great mistake.htm

The Boyhood and Training of Moses
... When the child had grown up, she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became
her son; and she named him Moses, for she said, "I drew him out of the water ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/the boyhood and training of.htm

When the Truth must be Spoken, when Kept Back.
... [3660] Although, in a certain manner of speaking, it might happen that what is said
should be both milk to infants and meat for grown-up persons. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 40 when the truth must.htm

Grown-up (1 Occurrence)
Grown-up. Grown, Grown-up. Grows . Multi-Version Concordance
Grown-up (1 Occurrence). Psalms 144:12 We whose sons are ...
/g/grown-up.htm - 6k

Lads (20 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 12:8 And he forsaketh the counsel of the elders which they counselled him,
and consulteth with the lads who have grownup with him, who are standing ...
/l/lads.htm - 12k

Grown (77 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV DBY). Hebrews 11:24 By faith, Moses, when he had grownup, refused to
be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, (WEB ASV NAS RSV NIV). ...
/g/grown.htm - 30k

Grows (46 Occurrences)
... Genesis 38:11 Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter-in-law: 'Remain a widow in thy
father's house, till Shelah my son be grownup'; for he said: 'Lest he also ...
/g/grows.htm - 19k

Lighter (10 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 12:10 The young men who had grownup with him spoke to him, saying, "Thus
you shall tell this people who spoke to you, saying,'Your father made our ...
/l/lighter.htm - 10k

Lighten (19 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 12:10 And the young men that had grownup with him spoke to him saying,
Thus shalt thou say to this people that have spoken to thee saying, Thy father ...
/l/lighten.htm - 13k

Waist (36 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 12:10 The young men who had grownup with him spoke to him, saying, "Thus
you shall tell this people who spoke to you, saying,'Your father made our ...
/w/waist.htm - 17k

Forsaketh (17 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 12:8 And he forsaketh the counsel of the elders which they counselled him,
and consulteth with the lads who have grownup with him, who are standing ...
/f/forsaketh.htm - 11k

Thicker (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 12:10 The young men who had grownup with him spoke to him, saying, "Thus
you shall tell this people who spoke to you, saying,'Your father made our ...
/t/thicker.htm - 7k

Powerless (19 Occurrences)
... were dismayed and put to shame; They were as the growing grass, and as the green
herb, As the grass on the housetops, and grain blighted before it be grownup. ...
/p/powerless.htm - 12k

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