Imperfectly
Jump to: ConcordanceThesaurusLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The term "imperfectly" is not directly found in the text of the Bible; however, the concept of imperfection is woven throughout Scripture, reflecting the human condition and the need for divine grace. In the biblical narrative, imperfection is often associated with human frailty, sin, and the limitations of earthly existence, contrasting with the perfection of God.

Human Imperfection

The Bible consistently portrays humanity as imperfect and in need of redemption. In Romans 3:23, the Apostle Paul writes, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This verse underscores the universal nature of human imperfection and the inherent sinfulness that separates humanity from the holiness of God. The fall of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 is the seminal event that introduces sin and imperfection into the world, resulting in a broken relationship with God and the introduction of death and suffering.

Imperfect Knowledge and Understanding

Human understanding is also depicted as imperfect. In 1 Corinthians 13:9-10, Paul states, "For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial passes away." This passage highlights the limitations of human knowledge and the anticipation of a future time when complete understanding will be realized. The imperfection of human wisdom is further emphasized in Proverbs 3:5, which advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding."

Imperfect Obedience and Faithfulness

Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites frequently demonstrate imperfect obedience to God's commands. Despite being chosen as God's people, they repeatedly fall into idolatry and disobedience, as seen in the book of Judges, where the cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance is a recurring theme. This pattern illustrates the struggle of maintaining faithfulness in a fallen world.

The Role of the Law

The Mosaic Law, given to the Israelites, serves to highlight human imperfection. In Galatians 3:24, Paul explains, "So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith." The law reveals the standard of God's holiness and the inability of humans to achieve righteousness through their own efforts, pointing instead to the need for a Savior.

Perfection in Christ

While humans are imperfect, the New Testament presents Jesus Christ as the perfect solution to the problem of sin. Hebrews 4:15 describes Jesus as the high priest who "has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin." Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, believers are offered the opportunity to be made perfect in the sight of God. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, Paul writes, "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."

Sanctification and the Journey Toward Perfection

The Christian life is a journey toward spiritual maturity and perfection, a process known as sanctification. Philippians 1:6 assures believers, "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." While perfection is not fully attainable in this life, Christians are called to strive for holiness and to grow in the likeness of Christ, as encouraged in 1 Peter 1:15-16: "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"

Eternal Perfection

The hope of eternal perfection is a central theme in Christian eschatology. Revelation 21:4 promises a future where God "will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away." In this new creation, the imperfections of the present world will be replaced by the perfect and eternal reign of God, where believers will dwell in His presence forever.
Library

And So it is that Often Something is Imperfectly Revealed to the ...
... Book II. Chapter 5. " 6. And so it is that often something is imperfectly
revealed to the more? "6. And so it is that often ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 5 6 and.htm

The Goodness of Marcion's God Only Imperfectly Manifested; it ...
... Marcion. Chapter XXIV."The Goodness of Marcion's God Only Imperfectly
Manifested; It Saves But Few, and the Souls Merely of These. ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxiv the goodness of marcions.htm

Whether the Gifts are Necessary to Man for Salvation?
... by man in a more perfect manner than the latter: because man has the former in his
full possession, whereas he possesses the latter imperfectly, since we love ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the gifts are necessary.htm

Whether it is Possible in this Life to Fulfil this Precept of the ...
... I answer that, A precept can be fulfilled in two ways; perfectly, and
imperfectly. A precept is fulfilled perfectly, when the end ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is possible in.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John x. 30, "I and the Father are One. ...
... Are of one Nature. What is, "are One"? Are of one Substance. 2. Peradventure,
ye but imperfectly understand what "of one Substance" is. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxxix on the words.htm

Whether Man Attains Happiness through the Action of Some Higher ...
... But if a form exist in something imperfectly, and not naturally, it cannot be the
principle whereby it is communicated to something else: thus the "intention ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether man attains happiness through.htm

Whether God Knows Evil Things?
... Dei xii). Therefore God does not know evil things. Objection 4: Further, what is
known through another and not through itself, is imperfectly known. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether god knows evil things.htm

Whether one Habit is Made up of Many Habits?
... that the subject does not acquire all at once a firm and difficultly changeable
disposition; and also to the fact that it begins by being imperfectly in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether one habit is made.htm

Whether one Can be Happy in this Life?
... But men can participate in the Sovereign Good in this life, by knowing and loving
God, albeit imperfectly. Therefore man can be happy in this life. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether one can be happy.htm

Whether Enjoyment is Only of the End Possessed?
... Now an end is possessed in two ways; perfectly and imperfectly. Perfectly,
when it is possessed not only in intention but also in ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether enjoyment is only of 2.htm

Thesaurus
Imperfectly (1 Occurrence)
...Imperfectly (1 Occurrence). Hebrews 5:13 By people who live on milk I mean those
who are imperfectly acquainted with the teaching concerning righteousness. ...
/i/imperfectly.htm - 6k

Broken (559 Occurrences)
... 11. (vt) Imperfectly spoken, as by a foreigner; as, broken English; imperfectly
spoken on account of emotion; as, to say a few broken words at parting. Int. ...
/b/broken.htm - 39k

Imperial (14 Occurrences)

/i/imperial.htm - 11k

Obscure (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (superl.) Covered over, shaded, or darkened;
destitute of light; imperfectly illuminated; dusky; dim. ...
/o/obscure.htm - 9k

Lame (35 Occurrences)
... lam (piceach, nakheh; cholos): (1) The condition of being unable or imperfectly
able to walk, which unfitted any descendant of Aaron so afflicted for service ...
/l/lame.htm - 21k

Gloomy (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (superl.) Imperfectly illuminated; dismal through
obscurity or darkness; dusky; dim; clouded; as, the cavern was gloomy. ...
/g/gloomy.htm - 9k

Gloom (29 Occurrences)
... dullness. 4. (n.) In gunpowder manufacture, the drying oven. 5. (vi) To shine
or appear obscurely or imperfectly; to glimmer. 6. (vi ...
/g/gloom.htm - 15k

Worker (36 Occurrences)
... The workers are generally females having the sexual organs imperfectly developed.
See Ant, and White ant, under White. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/w/worker.htm - 20k

Imperfection (2 Occurrences)

/i/imperfection.htm - 7k

Twilight (25 Occurrences)
... viewed. 3. (a.) Seen or done by twilight. 4. (a.) Imperfectly illuminated;
shaded; obscure. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TWILIGHT. ...
/t/twilight.htm - 15k

Resources
What are the communicable and incommunicable attributes of God? | GotQuestions.org

The closed canon'what are the implications? | GotQuestions.org

What are indulgences and plenary indulgences and is the concept biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Imperfectly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Imperfectly (1 Occurrence)

Hebrews 5:13
By people who live on milk I mean those who are imperfectly acquainted with the teaching concerning righteousness.
(WEY)

Subtopics

Imperfectly

Related Terms

Procurator

Purple (54 Occurrences)

Caesar's (10 Occurrences)

Province (66 Occurrences)

Eagle (27 Occurrences)

Pontius (4 Occurrences)

Pilate (60 Occurrences)

Imperious (1 Occurrence)

Praetorium (8 Occurrences)

Crown (94 Occurrences)

Assessor

Subapostolic

Sub-apostolic

Praetorian (2 Occurrences)

Flavius

Josephus

Discomfiture (6 Occurrences)

Rome (12 Occurrences)

Chronology

Apocalyptic

Governor (78 Occurrences)

Cyprus (12 Occurrences)

Taxing (3 Occurrences)

Tax (43 Occurrences)

Army (401 Occurrences)

Text (5 Occurrences)

Manuscripts

Minor (2 Occurrences)

Household (222 Occurrences)

Asia (22 Occurrences)

Elamarna

Tablets (31 Occurrences)

El-amarna

Herod (45 Occurrences)

Guard (185 Occurrences)

Tell (3056 Occurrences)

Antichrist (4 Occurrences)

Empire (8 Occurrences)

Literature (2 Occurrences)

Malefactor (2 Occurrences)

Vat (7 Occurrences)

Notorious (16 Occurrences)

Urbanus (1 Occurrence)

Julia (1 Occurrence)

Judaeus

Lord's (548 Occurrences)

Guards (42 Occurrences)

Iconium (6 Occurrences)

Imprisonment (15 Occurrences)

Imperfectly (1 Occurrence)

Firkin

Forum (1 Occurrence)

Tryphaena (1 Occurrence)

Tribute (67 Occurrences)

Decapolis (3 Occurrences)

Daphne

Deputy (7 Occurrences)

Murderers (9 Occurrences)

Paulus (1 Occurrence)

Philo

Philologus (1 Occurrence)

Persis (1 Occurrence)

Cilicia (8 Occurrences)

Caiaphas (9 Occurrences)

Cornelius (10 Occurrences)

Christian (41 Occurrences)

Appii (1 Occurrence)

Ampliatus (1 Occurrence)

Armenian

Augustus (4 Occurrences)

Sostratus

Sergius (1 Occurrence)

Sceptre (20 Occurrences)

Stachys (1 Occurrence)

Stoics (1 Occurrence)

Illyricum (1 Occurrence)

Tarsus (5 Occurrences)

Everywhere (53 Occurrences)

Imperfection
Top of Page
Top of Page