Lexical Summary teleios: Perfect, complete, mature, full-grown Original Word: τέλειος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance complete, perfect, matureFrom telos; complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with ho) completeness -- of full age, man, perfect. see GREEK telos see GREEK ho HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 5046 téleios (an adjective, derived from 5056 /télos, "consummated goal") – mature (consummated) from going through the necessary stages to reach the end-goal, i.e. developed into a consummating completion by fulfilling the necessary process (spiritual journey). See 5056 (telos). [This root (tel-) means "reaching the end (aim)." It is well-illustrated with the old pirate's telescope, unfolding (extending out) one stage at a time to function at full-strength (capacity effectiveness).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom telos Definition having reached its end, i.e. complete, by ext. perfect NASB Translation complete (2), mature (4), more perfect (1), perfect (12). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5046: τέλειοςτέλειος, τελεία, τέλειον (τέλος), in classic Greek sometimes also τέλειος, τέλειον (cf. Winers Grammar, § 11,1), from Homer down, the Sept. several times for שָׁלֵם, תָּמִים, etc.; properly, brought to its end, finished; lacking nothing necessary to completeness; perfect: ἔργον, James 1:4; ἡ ἀγάπη, 1 John 4:18; ὁ νόμος, James 1:25; (δώρημα, James 1:17); τελειοτερα σκηνή, a more perfect (excellent) tabernacle, Hebrews 9:11; τό τέλειον, substantively, that which is perfect: consummate human integrity and virtue, Romans 12:2 (others take it here as an adjective belonging to θέλημα); the perfect state of all things, to be ushered in by the return of Christ from heaven, 1 Corinthians 13:10; of men, full-grown, adult; of full age, mature (Aeschylus Ag. 1504; Plato, legg. 11, p. 929{c}): Hebrews 5:14; τέλειος ἀνήρ (Xenophon, Cyril 1, 2, 4f; 8, 7, 6; Philo de cherub. § 32; opposed to παιδίον νήπιον, Polybius 5, 29, 2; for other examples from other authors see Bleek, Brief a. d. Hebrew ii., 2, p. 133f), μέχρι ... εἰς ἄνδρα τέλειον, until we rise to the same level of knowledge which we ascribe to a full-grown man, until we can be likened to a full-grown man, Ephesians 4:13 (opposed to νήπιοι, 14); τέλειοι ταῖς φρεσί (opposed to παιδία and νηπιαζοντες ταῖς φρεσί), 1 Corinthians 14:20 (here A. V. men); absolutely, οἱ τέλειοι, the perfect, i. e. the more intelligent, ready to apprehend divine things, 1 Corinthians 2:6 (R. V. marginal reading full-grown) (opposed to νήπιοι ἐν Χριστῷ, Topical Lexicon Core Concept Strong’s 5046 clusters around the idea of completeness brought to its intended goal. It speaks less of flawlessness and more of the wholeness that results when God’s purpose is fully realized in a person, act, or era. Christ’s Call to Perfection Matthew 5:48 places the term at the heart of the Sermon on the Mount: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Here Jesus summons disciples to mirror the Father’s all-inclusive love (verses 43–47). The standard is divine, yet the context shows that perfection expresses itself through mercy and enemy-love, not merely moral faultlessness. Matthew 19:21 applies the same vision to possessions and priorities: “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor… then come, follow Me.” Teleios discipleship releases every rival allegiance so that the kingdom alone governs the heart. Pauline Theology of Maturity Paul employs teleios primarily for spiritual adulthood. “We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature” (1 Corinthians 2:6). In contrast to worldly sophia, the cross unveils wisdom grasped only by those grown up in Christ. Philippians 3:15 unites maturity with humility: “All of us who are mature should embrace this view.” Paul has just confessed his own unfinished pursuit (3:12-14). True maturity is marked not by complacent arrival but by relentless, grace-driven pursuit of Christ. Colossians 1:28 identifies maturity as the apostolic goal: “We proclaim Him… so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” Teleios ministry centers on Christological proclamation that forms fully grown believers. Pastoral Formation and Discernment Hebrews 5:14 contrasts “milk” with “solid food” that “is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.” Teleios discernment arises through habitual obedience, not mere information. Similarly, Romans 12:2 links the “perfect will of God” with a mind continually renewed. Ethical Wholeness in James James weaves teleios through his opening chapter. Perseverance under trial aims “so that you will be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:4). God’s gifts are “perfect” (1:17), and the “perfect law of freedom” (1:25) liberates doers. James 3:2 extends the theme to speech: “If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man.” Maturity is holistic, spanning endurance, generosity, obedience, and the tongue. Ecclesial Dimension Ephesians 4:13 envisages the body of Christ “until we all reach unity in the faith… and become a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Corporate growth toward fullness complements individual maturity. Colossians 4:12 shows Epaphras laboring in prayer “that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God,” highlighting intercessory ministry as a means to communal completion. Eschatological Fulfillment 1 Corinthians 13:10 anticipates a climactic arrival: “when the perfect comes.” Present gifts are interim; completeness awaits the unveiled presence of Christ. Hebrews 9:11 speaks of Christ as “high priest of the good things that have come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle,” tying teleios to the inaugurated yet awaiting-consummation kingdom. Old Testament Roots and Continuity The LXX often translates tāmîm (“blameless, whole”) with teleios (e.g., Genesis 17:1). Abraham is commanded, “Walk before Me and be blameless,” echoing Jesus’ call. The New Testament thus stands in continuity with the covenant demand for wholehearted devotion. Historical-Theological Trajectory Early church writers stressed teleiosis as growth in love. Against later perfectionistic distortions, orthodox teachers maintained that maturity coexists with ongoing repentance until resurrection perfection. The Reformation reclaimed justification as complete in Christ, while sanctification progressively conforms believers to that status, aiming at teleios likeness. Ministry and Discipleship Implications • Preaching should set teleios wholeness—Christ-likeness—as the horizon of every text. Summary Strong’s 5046 frames the New Testament vision of a believer and a church brought to God’s intended maturity—complete devotion, practiced discernment, unified community, and future consummation in Christ’s presence. Forms and Transliterations τελεια τελεία τέλειαι τελειοι τέλειοι τελειοις τελείοις τελειον τέλειον τελειος τέλειος τέλειός τελειοτερας τελειοτέρας τελειων τελείων teleia teleía teleioi téleioi teleiois teleíois teleion teleiōn teleíon teleíōn téleion teleios téleios téleiós teleioteras teleiotérasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 5:48 Adj-NMPGRK: οὖν ὑμεῖς τέλειοι ὡς ὁ NAS: Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly KJV: ye therefore perfect, even as your INT: Therefore you perfect even as the Matthew 5:48 Adj-NMS Matthew 19:21 Adj-NMS Romans 12:2 Adj-NNS 1 Corinthians 2:6 Adj-DMP 1 Corinthians 13:10 Adj-ANS 1 Corinthians 14:20 Adj-NMP Ephesians 4:13 Adj-AMS Philippians 3:15 Adj-NMP Colossians 1:28 Adj-AMS Colossians 4:12 Adj-NMP Hebrews 5:14 Adj-GMP Hebrews 9:11 Adj-GFS-C James 1:4 Adj-ANS James 1:4 Adj-NMP James 1:17 Adj-NNS James 1:25 Adj-AMS James 3:2 Adj-NMS 1 John 4:18 Adj-NFS Strong's Greek 5046 |
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