from τέλος; complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with ὁ) completeness:--of full age, man, perfect.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adjective τέλειος (G5046) is derived from the noun `{{G5055}}` (τέλος), meaning "end, goal, purpose, or completion." At its core, τέλειος signifies "complete," "finished," or "brought to its intended end." Its semantic range is broad and context-dependent, encompassing several key aspects:
1. **Maturity or Full Age:** This refers to the state of being fully grown or developed, whether physically, mentally, or spiritually. It implies reaching the intended stage of development, as opposed to being an infant or immature.
2. **Perfection or Wholeness:** In this sense, τέλειος denotes lacking nothing, being entire, unblemished, or fully equipped for a purpose. It speaks to a state of completeness that leaves no room for deficiency.
3. **Ethical or Moral Excellence:** When applied to character, τέλειος describes someone who is morally upright, blameless, and fully conformed to a divine standard. It implies a consistency and integrity of character.
4. **Spiritual Maturity:** Within a theological context, it often refers to believers who have progressed beyond basic understanding to a deeper grasp of spiritual truths and a more developed walk with God.
5. **Accomplishment or Efficacy:** It can describe something that has fully achieved its purpose or been brought to a successful conclusion.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
τέλειος appears frequently in the New Testament, often highlighting a call to spiritual and moral advancement:
* **[[Matthew 5:48]]**: "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." This is perhaps the most striking use, where τέλειος is presented as a divine attribute and a human aspiration. Here, "perfect" refers to a comprehensive love that extends even to enemies, mirroring God's impartial goodness. It is a call to completeness in character, specifically in the realm of agape love, rather than absolute sinlessness.
* **[[1 Corinthians 2:6]]**: "Yet among the mature (τέλειος) we do impart wisdom..." Here, τέλειος refers to those who are spiritually mature and capable of receiving deeper spiritual truths, contrasting with "infants in Christ" (`{{G3516}}`).
* **[[Ephesians 4:13]]**: "...until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature (τέλειος) to the full measure of the stature of Christ." This verse emphasizes τέλειος as the goal of Christian growth and the church's ministry—to bring believers to full spiritual development and Christlikeness.
* **[[Philippians 3:15]]**: "Let those of us who are mature (τέλειος) think this way..." Paul uses τέλειος to describe those who are spiritually advanced, yet immediately follows with his own admission of not having "already obtained" or "already arrived at perfection," indicating that for humans, τέλειος can be both a present state of maturity and a continuous, aspirational pursuit.
* **[[Colossians 1:28]]**: "We proclaim him, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature (τέλειος) in Christ." This highlights the apostolic mission to nurture believers towards spiritual completeness.
* **[[Hebrews 5:14]]**: "But solid food is for the mature (τέλειος), for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil." This verse explicitly links spiritual maturity (τέλειος) with the ability to discern and handle deeper doctrinal truths, contrasting with those who still require "milk" (`{{G1049}}`).
* **[[James 1:4]]**: "And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect (τέλειος) and complete, lacking in nothing." Here, τέλειος is paired with `{{G3648}}` (holoklēros), emphasizing a holistic completeness and integrity of character that results from enduring trials with patience.
* **[[Hebrews 7:19]]**: "for the law made nothing perfect (τέλειος)..." In this context, τέλειος refers to the inability of the Old Covenant law to bring ultimate salvation or full reconciliation with God, highlighting the superiority of Christ's priesthood which *does* bring perfection.
* **[[Hebrews 9:11]]**: "But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect (τέλειος) tent..." This describes the superior and fully effective nature of Christ's heavenly sanctuary and sacrifice compared to the earthly tabernacle.
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of τέλειος is enriched by its relationship with other Greek terms and theological concepts:
* **`{{G5055}}` (τέλος):** The root noun, meaning "end, goal, purpose, completion." This connection underscores that τέλειος is about reaching an intended state or fulfilling a design.
* **`{{G5056}}` (τελέω):** The verb "to finish, complete, accomplish."
* **`{{G5047}}` (τελειότης):** The noun form, meaning "perfection, maturity, completeness."
* **`{{G5048}}` (τελειόω):** The verb "to make perfect, bring to completion, accomplish." This verb is often used of Christ's work (e.g., [[Hebrews 2:10]], [[Hebrews 5:9]]).
* **`{{G3648}}` (ὁλόκληρος):** "Whole, complete, entire, lacking nothing." Often used in conjunction with τέλειος to emphasize comprehensive wholeness (e.g., [[James 1:4]]).
* **`{{G737}}` (ἄμεμπτος):** "Blameless, irreproachable." Focuses more on external conduct and reputation.
* **`{{G434}}` (ἄμωμος):** "Without blemish, faultless." Often used for sacrificial animals, implying ritual purity and unblemished quality.
* **`{{G1049}}` (νήπιος):** "Infant, child; spiritually immature." This term is frequently contrasted with τέλειος to highlight the stages of spiritual development.
* **Growth and Sanctification:** The concept of τέλειος is intimately tied to the process of spiritual growth, where believers are progressively conformed to the image of Christ.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of τέλειος is profound, touching upon God's character, human aspiration, and Christ's salvific work:
* **God's Absolute Perfection:** God is the ultimate standard of τέλειος. His perfection is inherent, absolute, and the benchmark for all creation. The command to "be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect" ([[Matthew 5:48]]) calls believers to reflect God's comprehensive and impartial love.
* **Human Aspiration and Progressive Sanctification:** For humanity, τέλειος is not typically presented as an instantaneous, sinless state but rather a dynamic process of growth towards maturity and wholeness. It is a call to continuous development in character, understanding, and obedience, aiming for completeness in Christ. This aligns with the doctrine of progressive sanctification.
* **Christ as the Paradigm and Means of Perfection:** Jesus Christ embodies τέλειος humanity. He is the "perfect" High Priest (`{{G5048}}` is used of Him in [[Hebrews 5:9]], [[Hebrews 7:28]]), and His sacrifice is "perfect" because it fully accomplishes redemption where the Old Covenant could not ([[Hebrews 7:19]], [[Hebrews 9:11]]). Believers are called to grow into His "full measure of the stature" ([[Ephesians 4:13]]).
* **Spiritual Maturity and Discernment:** The concept of τέλειος highlights the crucial distinction between spiritual infancy and maturity within the Christian community. Mature believers are those who possess spiritual discernment, are capable of handling deeper truths, and demonstrate steadfastness in faith.
* **Holistic Wholeness:** τέλειος embraces a holistic view of human completeness, encompassing moral integrity, spiritual understanding, and a fully developed character that lacks nothing essential for its intended purpose in Christ.
* **Eschatological Hope:** While τέλειος is a present pursuit, ultimate, absolute perfection for believers is an eschatological hope, fully realized at glorification when they will be completely conformed to Christ's image.
### Summary
The Greek word τέλειος (G5046), rooted in `{{G5055}}` (τέλος), signifies "complete," "finished," or "brought to its intended end." Its rich semantic range encompasses maturity (reaching full age or development), perfection (lacking nothing), and ethical or spiritual excellence. In the New Testament, τέλειος frequently denotes spiritual maturity, distinguishing believers who can grasp deeper truths from those still in spiritual infancy ([[1 Corinthians 2:6]], [[Hebrews 5:14]]). It is a profound call to moral completeness, particularly in love, mirroring God's own perfect character ([[Matthew 5:48]]). Furthermore, τέλειος describes the ultimate efficacy of Christ's work, which perfectly accomplishes salvation and establishes a superior covenant ([[Hebrews 7:19]], [[Hebrews 9:11]]). For believers, the pursuit of τέλειος is a lifelong process of growth, sanctification, and transformation into the full stature of Christ, aiming for a holistic completeness in every aspect of their being, though ultimate perfection remains an eschatological hope.
TRV