But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
2 Peter 3:18
As a postscript to our study we add the following two Readings from the Congregational Record of Gilcomston South Church, Aberdeen, by the Rev. William Still: 'Some would take 'knowledge' to mean understanding of His Word, the things of Christ, whereas others would say it is personal knowledge of the Lord Himself. We could be too analytical here - not that these two are not to be distinguished, but because they belong together in any true life of faith. Although it is, alas, more than possible to have a theoretic knowledge of the things of the Lord, our personal knowledge of the living, ever-present Jesus by the Spirit must always be filled out and made more accurate by an increasing study of and knowledge of the Lord's Word, and vice versa, our knowledge of His Word must at every point and constantly be embodied in living relationship and vital communication with Him by the Spirit. Note the two words chosen by Peter in his conclusion to express this, grace and knowledge, and note also their order. Does Peter imply that the first is the larger, or that it is prior? There must be some significance (we are thinking of the Holy Spirit more than of Peter) in putting grace first. It is the whole world, the dominion, empire and eternal kingdom of the Almighty's essential quality and nature, and that was brought home to God's most significant creature, man, by Jesus Christ, and by who and what He is and all He has done - and is doing, as abiding Intercessor. In the largest sense we are to grow into that total realm and heavenly commonwealth, and as we do, our personal walk with the Lord will grow richer and sweeter as well as purer and more telling, and also our knowledge of Him through the Scriptures will grow because we will see everything in ever clearer light and better relation, rightly dividing (or straight-cutting, like a ploughed furrow) the word of Truth, learning to see subtle differences in particular truths and yet integrating every particle of knowledge with the one great monolith of saving truth.'