Definition
τέλειος, -α, -ον
(τέλος), [in LXX chiefly for שָׁלֵם, תָּמִים and cogn. forms ;]
having reached its end, finished, mature, complete, perfect;
1. of persons, primarily of physical development,
(a) full-grown, mature: Hebrews 5:14; ethically: Philippians 3:15; opposite to νήπιος (-άζειν), 1 Corinthians 2:6; 14:20, Ephesians 4:13; τ. καὶ πεπληροφορημένοι, Colossians 4:12; τ. ἐν Χριστῷ, Colossians 1:28;
(b) complete, perfect (expressing the simple idea of complete goodness, without reference either to maturity or to the philosophical idea of a τέλος; see Hort on James 1:4): Matthew 5:48; 19:21, James 1:4; 3:2; of God, Matthew 5:48.
2. Of things, complete, perfect: Romans 12:2; ἔργον, James 1:4; νόμος, James 1:25; δώρημα, James 1:17; ἀγάπη, 1 John 4:18; τὸ τ., 1 Corinthians 13:10; compar., τελειοτέρα (σκηνή), Hebrews 9:11.
(There is probably no reference in St. Paul's usage to the use of this term in the ancient mysteries; cf. ICC on Colossians 1:28; but see also Lft., in l, and Notes, 173 f.)
Synonyms: see: ὁλόκληρος (and cf. Rendall, He., 158 ff.)
Hebrew words it translates
Usage patterns
Occurrences
- Matthew 5:48τέλειοι · perfect; τέλειός · perfectBe perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
- Matthew 19:21τέλειος · perfectJesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
- Romans 12:2τέλειον · perfectDo not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
- 1 Corinthians 2:6τελείοις · matureAmong the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
- 1 Corinthians 13:10τέλειον · perfect…but when the perfect comes, the partial passes away.
- 1 Corinthians 14:20τέλειοι · matureBrothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
- Ephesians 4:13τέλειον · [as we] mature…until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.
- Philippians 3:15τέλειοι · [are] matureAll of us who are mature should embrace this point of view. And if you think differently about some issue, God will reveal this to you as well.
- Colossians 1:28τέλειον · perfectWe proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
- Colossians 4:12τέλειοι · matureEpaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God.
- Hebrews 5:14τελείων · [for the] matureBut solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.
- Hebrews 9:11τελειοτέρας · more perfectBut when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation.
- James 1:4τέλειον · to finish; τέλειοι · matureAllow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
- James 1:17τέλειον · perfectEvery good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.
- James 1:25τέλειον · [the] perfectBut the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.
- James 3:2τέλειος · a perfectWe all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.
- 1 John 4:18τελεία · perfectThere is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love.