Topical Encyclopedia
The term "perfected" in the biblical context often refers to the process of being made complete or mature, particularly in spiritual or moral terms. This concept is rooted in the understanding of God's work in believers, bringing them to a state of spiritual maturity and holiness.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the idea of perfection is often associated with completeness or wholeness. The Hebrew word "tamim" is frequently used to describe something that is whole or without blemish. For example, in the sacrificial system, offerings were required to be "without defect" (
Leviticus 22:21). This concept extends to the moral and spiritual life of individuals, as seen in
Genesis 17:1, where God commands Abram, "Walk before Me and be blameless."
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the Greek word "teleios" is often translated as "perfect" or "mature." This term conveys the idea of reaching an intended end or purpose. Jesus uses this term in
Matthew 5:48, saying, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" . Here, perfection is linked to the completeness of love and moral integrity, reflecting God's character.
The Epistle to the Hebrews frequently discusses the concept of perfection in relation to Christ's priesthood and the new covenant.
Hebrews 10:14 states, "For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified" . This verse highlights the sufficiency and completeness of Christ's sacrifice, which brings believers into a perfected state before God.
Spiritual MaturityThe Apostle Paul often speaks of perfection in terms of spiritual maturity. In
Philippians 3:12-15, Paul acknowledges that he has not yet attained perfection but presses on toward the goal. He encourages believers to adopt the same mindset, striving for maturity in their faith. Similarly, in
Colossians 1:28, Paul expresses his desire to "present everyone perfect in Christ" , indicating the goal of spiritual growth and maturity.
Sanctification and PerfectionThe process of being perfected is closely tied to sanctification, the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life. This process involves growing in holiness and becoming more like Christ.
James 1:4 encourages believers to let perseverance finish its work so that they may be "mature and complete, lacking nothing" . This verse underscores the idea that trials and perseverance contribute to spiritual perfection.
Eschatological PerfectionThe ultimate perfection of believers is eschatological, meaning it will be fully realized in the future. 1
John 3:2 states, "Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is" . This future transformation reflects the complete perfection that believers will experience in the presence of Christ.
In summary, the biblical concept of being perfected encompasses the ideas of spiritual maturity, moral integrity, and the ultimate completion of God's work in believers through Christ. It is both a present reality and a future hope, grounded in the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Perfect.
Greek
5048. teleioo -- to bring to an end, to complete, perfect ... Definition: (a) as a course, a race, or the like: I complete, finish (b) as of time
or prediction: I accomplish, (c) I make perfect; pass: I am
perfected.
... 2851. kolasis -- correction
... Trench); from living in the from one's (cf. at 1 Jn 4:18). Perfected love casts
out tormenting fear (2851 ). 1 Jn 4:17,18: " 17 By this ...
2005. epiteleo -- to complete, accomplish
... accomplish NASB Word Usage accomplished (1), complete (1), completion (1), erect
(1), finish (1), finished (1), perfect (1), perfected (1), perfecting (1 ...
5055. teleo -- to bring to an end, complete, fulfill
... accomplished (3), carried (1), carry (1), completed (3), finish (1), finished (11),
fulfilled (2), fulfilling (1), keeps (1), pay (2), perfected (1), performed ...
Strong's Hebrew
3634. kalal -- to complete, perfect... 3633, 3634. kalal. 3635 . to complete, perfect. Transliteration: kalal Phonetic
Spelling: (kaw-lal') Short Definition:
perfected. Word Origin a prim.
... 724. arukah -- healing, restoration
... Word Origin from arak Definition healing, restoration NASB Word Usage health
(3), recovery (1), repair (2). health, made up, perfected. ...
1587. Gemaryah -- "Yah has accomplished," two Israelites
... Gemariah. Or Gmaryahuw {ghem-ar-yaw'-hoo}; from gamar and Yahh; Jah has perfected;
Gemarjah, the name of two Israelites -- Gemariah. see HEBREW gamar. ...
8003. shalem -- complete, safe, at peace
... wholeheartedly* (1), wholly devoted (4). full, just, made ready, peaceable,
perfected, quiet. From shalam; complete (literally or ...
Library
That Righteousness is Never Perfected in this Life.
... Book III. Chapter 21."That Righteousness is Never Perfected in This Life.
Now, according to this righteousness of God, that is ...
July 17. "By one Offering He Hath Perfected Forever them that are ...
... JULY 17. "By one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified"
(Heb. x. 14). "By one offering He hath perfected forever ...
How the Image of God in the Mind is Renewed Until the Likeness of ...
... Book XIV. Chapter 17."How the Image of God in the Mind is Renewed Until
the Likeness of God is Perfected in It in Blessedness. 23. ...
John is Rather to be Understood of Our Perfect Likeness with the ...
... Book XIV. Chapter 19."John is Rather to Be Understood of Our Perfect Likeness with
the Trinity in Life Eternal. Wisdom is Perfected in Happiness. 25. ...
Concerning Things Performed in the Muron, and Concerning Things ...
... ECCLESIASTICAL HIERARCHY. CAPUT IV. I. Concerning things performed in the
Muron, and concerning things perfected in it. So great ...
Soul and Body Conceived, Formed and Perfected in Element ...
... Chapter XXVII."Soul and Body Conceived, Formed and Perfected in Element
Simultaneously. How, then, is a living being conceived? ...
The Mother Achamoth, when all Her Seed are Perfected, Shall Pass ...
... Against Heresies: Book I Chapter VII."The mother Achamoth, when all her seed are
perfected, shall pass into the Pleroma, accompanied by those men who are ...
Despite the Devil, Man May, by God's Help, be Perfected.
... A Treatise on nature and grace, against pelagius; Chapter 68 [LVIII.]"
Despite the Devil, Man May, by God's Help, Be Perfected. ...
When Our Heart May be Said not to Reproach Us; when Good is to be ...
... Augustin to his holy brethren and fellow-bishops Eutropius and Paulus. (28.) When
Our Heart May Be Said Not to Reproach Us; When Good is to Be Perfected. ...
The "Demonstrations" of Aphrahat.
... And know, my beloved, that in the foundations of the building stones are laid, and
so resting upon stones the whole edifice rises until it is perfected. ...
Thesaurus
Perfected (25 Occurrences)...Perfected (25 Occurrences).
... Did you never read,'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing
babies you have
perfected praise?'" (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS).
...Perfection (30 Occurrences)
... Other words are teleioo. "to perfect," "to end," "complete" (Luke 13:32, "The third
day I am perfected," the Revised Version margin "end my course"; John 17:23 ...
Perfect (205 Occurrences)
... Other words are teleioo. "to perfect," "to end," "complete" (Luke 13:32, "The third
day I am perfected," the Revised Version margin "end my course"; John 17:23 ...
Forever (426 Occurrences)
... 7:28 For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the word of
the oath which came after the law appoints a Son forever who has been perfected...
Anthropomorphism
... He shall have for us some real meaning; hence those quasi-personal or anthropomorphic
forms of expression, which inhere in the most perfected conceptions of ...
Appeal (30 Occurrences)
... through the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing and
that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfected together in ...
Messiah (9 Occurrences)
... larger hope of a glorious future for the nation, as well as the narrower one of
a personal Messiah who is to be the prominent figure in the perfected kingdom. ...
Yes (511 Occurrences)
... Did you never read,'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing babies you have
perfected praise?'" (WEB WEY BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
Yea (867 Occurrences)
... And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes
and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? (KJV ASV DBY). ...
Valorous (1 Occurrence)
... army were on your walls all around, and valorous men were in your towers; they hanged
their shields on your walls all around; they have perfected your beauty. ...
Resources
What was the tent of meeting? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I overcome my fear of the end of days? | GotQuestions.orgTo what extent should we strive to be like Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgPerfected: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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