Word Study for G5046 (τέλειος)

téleios /tel'-i-os/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom τέλος

Meaningcomplete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with ὁ) completeness

KJV usageof full age, man, perfect.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of téleios — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word téleios, represented by G5046, conveys the idea of being complete or perfect. It appears 19 times across 17 unique verses in the Bible. Derived from τέλος, meaning an end or goal, it is used in various applications to describe completeness in labor, growth, and most significantly, in mental and moral character, where it is often translated as perfect or of full age.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G5046 is used to establish the ultimate standard of moral and spiritual character, as seen in the command to be perfect just as the Father in heaven is perfect Matthew 5:48. It describes a state of spiritual maturity, distinguishing those of full age from children Hebrews 5:14. The term is also applied to God's law, called the "perfect law of liberty" James 1:25, and to the goal of Christian ministry, which is to present every man perfect in Christ Colossians 1:28.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words add depth to the concept of being complete and mature:

G1128 gymnázō (to practise... i.e. train): This word emphasizes the training required to reach maturity. Those who are perfect (of full age) have their senses exercised to discern good and evil Hebrews 5:14.
G1381 dokimázō (to test... to approve): This term highlights the process of testing and validation. Believers are to be transformed in their minds to prove what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God Romans 12:2.
G3648 holóklēros (complete in every part... perfectly sound): Often used alongside G5046, this word reinforces the idea of total completeness. Believers are encouraged to let patience have its work so they may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing James 1:4.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G5046 is centered on the concept of spiritual maturity and completeness.

The Goal of Maturity: The word is used to describe the transition from being children in understanding to being men (perfect) 1 Corinthians 14:20. The ultimate goal for the church is to come to the unity of the faith and become a perfect man, measured by the stature of Christ Ephesians 4:13.
The Standard of God: God Himself is the ultimate standard of perfection, and believers are called to reflect that standard Matthew 5:48. Furthermore, every good and perfect gift is from the Father of lights James 1:17.
Perfection Through Love: A key indicator of being made perfect is found in love. Scripture states that perfect love casteth out fear, which has torment 1 John 4:18.
Completeness in God's Will: Believers are encouraged through prayer to stand perfect and complete in all the will of God Colossians 4:12.

Summary

In summary, G5046 téleios signifies more than simple flawlessness; it points to a state of completeness, maturity, and having reached a specific goal. It is used to describe the divine character of the Father, the goal of the believer's spiritual walk, and the quality of God's law and gifts. From being called to be perfect as God is perfect to the call to leave childish ways, téleios defines the path toward spiritual adulthood, which is fully realized in Christ and demonstrated through love.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as an adjective across 19 occurrences, inflected in 9 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Nominative Plural Masculine 5×
Accusative Singular Masculine 3×
Nominative Singular Masculine 3×
Nominative Singular Neuter 3×
Accusative Singular Neuter 1×
Dative Plural Masculine 1×
Genitive Plural Masculine 1×
Genitive Singular Feminine Comparative 1×
Nominative Singular Feminine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Genitive: Possession or source — often "of".
Dative: The indirect object — often "to" or "for".
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine: Feminine grammatical gender.
Neuter: Neuter grammatical gender.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 17 verses across 9 of the 27 books. Most frequent in James (4 verses); never once in the other 18.

Matthew

Romans

1 Corinthians

Ephesians

Philippians

Colossians

Hebrews

James

1 John

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.