Teleios

Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father isperfect.
Matthew 5:48 NASB

What comes to mind when you think of being perfect? Perhaps what comes to mind is that it is impossible to be without fault or defect.

If we investigate the Greek word for "perfect" in Matthew 5, we will better understand what God is saying to us in His Word.

Strong’s Lexicon: In Greek Teleios (5046) is an adjective, the definition is having reached its end, finished, mature, complete, perfect, primarily of physical development, full-grown, mature

HELPS Word-studies: 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).]

As followers of Christ, we should all go through the process in which we increase in our spiritual maturity.

Matthew 5:21–48 gives us insight into the characteristics of being teleios, like our Heavenly Father is teleios.

In James 1, James gives us more insight into how this process happens.

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, and let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance
James 1:2-4 NASB

In 1 Corinthians 14, the word for teleios is translated as mature.

Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature
1 Corinthians 14:20 NASB

Early in my walk as a disciple of Jesus, I started asking how to live what I was reading in scripture instead of saying, “It is not possible”. As I sought to live what I saw the men and women in the Bible live, God presented opportunities for me to live situations out in my life as I saw them live. I started to put my feet in the Word and live it. I would ask God each day what He wanted me to do and say instead of living for myself. I had grown up in church and been a Christian my whole life, but I never started maturing until I chose to take on this way of thinking. I encourage everyone to ask "how" to do what we see in scripture instead of saying "no" to God or "I can't do what the people did in the Bible."

To say "no" or "I can't" to God goes against scripture, as scripture tells us all things are possible with God. (Matthew 19:26)

We encourage you to reflect on how you view the word “perfect”/“mature” in scripture after learning what the Greek word means. Are you still an infant in your spiritual journey, or are you maturing in your walk with Christ?

References:

Strong’s Lexicon: Biblehub.com

1 Heart 1 MindApril 22, 2025