{The child grew} ((8875)xane). Imperfect indicative of a very
ancient verb (auxan(935c)). This child grew and waxed strong
(ekrataiouto, imperfect middle), a hearty vigorous little boy
(paidion). Both verbs Luke used in 1:80 of the growth of John
the Baptist as a child. Then he used also pneumati, in spirit.
Here in addition to the bodily development Luke has "filled with
wisdom" (pl(8872)oumenon sophi(8369)). Present passive participle,
showing that the process of filling with wisdom kept pace with
the bodily growth. If it were only always true with others! We
need not be troubled over this growth in wisdom on the part of
Jesus any more than over his bodily growth. "The intellectual,
moral, and spiritual growth of the Child, like the physical, was
real. His was a perfect humanity developing perfectly, unimpeded
by hereditary or acquired defects. It was the first instance of
such a growth in history. For the first time a human infant was
realizing the ideal of humanity" (Plummer). {The grace of God}
(charis theou). In full measure.
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