The word perfect is often used in the church, yet most are surprised to find out how often the Bible talks about the subject. They are even more surprised to find out that the biblical teaching concerning perfection is much different in every regard than commonly thought. This issue is easier to deal with if you study it in-depth, as a scriptural issue, before coming to any conclusions.

In the New Testament, we find variations of the Greek word teleios 48 times. It is most often translated in English as "perfect" or "mature." In the following sections, we will discuss most of these incidents to show that the teaching concerning perfection/maturity is a significant New Testament teaching. Since the word teleios is used in more than one way, it is necessary to see how the Bible utilizes the term before we compare it with common misuses of it. If we do otherwise, we have no objective frame of reference.
 
 

The most frequently quoted text on this subject is Philippians 3:12. Unfortunately, it is most often cited out of context and without consideration for the various uses of the word. In Philippians 3, Paul refers to both a perfection which is strived for and a perfection which is attained, in verses 12 and 15 respectively. In both verses, a variation of the word teleios is utilized. Verse 12 refers to the completion of a goal, while in vs 15 it describes a state (maturity). In the context of this verse and others, it can be shown clearly what is (and is not) implied.

Many conclude that since Paul had not attained the perfection spoken of in verse 12 (i.e., he wasn't yet consistently obedient) that he was still sinning regularly and merely trying to stop. Before coming to this conclusion, however, it should be noted that a lack of perfection does not always imply sin. The best example is in Luke13:32, where Jesus states: "I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal." Goal here is the word tel-i-o'o, which is translated "will be perfected" in the KJV. Interestingly, it is the same word that Paul uses in Php.3:12, defined as: to complete, i.e., (literally), accomplish, or (figuratively) to consummate (in character): Consecrate, finish, fulfill, (make) perfect.

The word for perfect which is used in vs 12 is seen 17 other times in the New Testament: Luke 13:32, John 17:23, 2 Cor. 12:9, Phil. 3:12, Heb 2:10, 5:9, 7:19, 9:9, 10:1, 10:14, 11:40, 12:23, James 2:22, and in 1 John 2:5, 4:12, 4:18. It is evident that the word is applied in a variety of contexts, with and without reference to sin. God's power is made perfect in weakness. Abraham's faith was made perfect (or complete) by what he did. If you obey God's word, his love is truly made complete (perfect) in you. In Hebrews 10, there is a perfection we've already attained in Christ, and in Philippians 3:12, a perfection strived for. All of these verses use the same word but in a different context. They describe the completion of different ends. This is why in the Bible (or any writing) you must pay attention to the context to correctly understand what is meant.
 

The command to be perfect

Whereas the word "perfect" in Phil. 3:12 is the same as that in Luke 13, the perfection spoken of in Phil. 3:15 is the same as that in Matthew 5:48, where Jesus introduces the command to be perfect. When faced with Christ's command, countless times I have heard people say that this perfection is impossible to attain before death. However, this is not scripturally sound. The context gives us three indications that Christ intended this command to be obeyed:
 

1) In the same discourse, Jesus warned, "Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father." (Mth 7:21). To the others, Christ will say "Away from me, you evil doers!". If you are truly saved, you'll do God's will and obey his word.
 

2) Again in the same discourse: "Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock . . . everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like the foolish man who built his house on the sand." One house survived, but the other was destroyed.
 

3) In the great commission, Christ tells us to make disciples and teach them to obey all that he has commanded (see Mth 28). How horrible it is that so many will go out in his name teaching the antithesis of this commission!
 
 

Now we may clarify the perfection strived for in Philippians 3:

"I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that God will make clear to you."
 

The question is: what had Paul not yet attained? Paul had already endured a great deal of suffering, and had been given a tremendous amount of power in his ministry, but he wanted still more: to know Christ as intimately as possible. He even wanted to become like him in his death. The goal (perfection) which is being strived for here is in reference to growth, and reaching the prize.
 
 

It should also be known that obedience is a perquisite to running the race and winning the prize. In 2 Timothy 2:3-7, Paul teaches that the victor in a race doesn't receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules. Therefore, obedience and the perfection of Phil 3:15 is a prerequisite to attaining the perfection of vs 12. To strive for perfection in the ultimate sense, we should have the perfection spoken of in vs 15: "All of us who are mature should take such a view." In other words, these verses in no way imply that Paul regularly had sin in his life. Without a doubt the opposite is true. He was running the race to win, which implies that he was running according to the rules! He was aiming to take hold of that for which Christ took hold of him. This is what I myself strive for, and despite all who would try to stop me, I want to echo the words in Hebrews:

"Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God." Hebrews 12:1-2

The scripture says that our obligation is to throw off sin and run the race. This we can do. Until I die, my obligation is to grow.
 
 

Many have used Phil 3:12 to imply that Paul still had sin in his life, but if you base your theology on false definitions and proof texts, you could just as well use Luke 13:32 to "prove" that Christ had sin in his own life!

Both Jesus and Paul spoke of a perfection that was in the future. Christ's would be attained after his mission was fulfilled, Paul's would be attained after his race was won. Here it is not the issue of attaining holiness; but rather of growth (Heb 5:8-9), and completing a mission (Lk 13), and both in Phil 3:12.

An excerpt from Robert Newton Flew is helpful at this point:

"We must turn to the later stoics and to Philo for light on the Pauline use of Teleios . . . The word is used as the culminating stage of the good life, towards which the philosopher is called to strive. In his Encheiridion, or popular handbook, Epicteus appeals to his reader for action: You are no longer a lad, but already a full-grown man (Teleios) . . . Live as a mature man (Teleios) who is making progress(prokopton)."

(R.N. Flew, Handbook to Christian Theology. chp73)

Paul was not a Greek philosopher, but there are parallels in the two main uses of the word.

Many believe that it is wrong to teach obedience to Christ's command to be perfect. They imply that it should not be taken seriously, because as they define perfection, it is impossible to attain in this life. This implies that the greater danger lies not in sin, but in believing that we should obey Christ! Does this not sound blasphemous?

I do not deny that if their definition of teleios was correct, it would indeed be impossible to attain before death. Apparently, however, this was not a biblical obstacle. The Word states that some had actually attained this perfection, and it does so in such a way as to imply that it wasn't even unusual. For example, "We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature(perfect)," (1 Cor 2:6) or "as many as are perfect." (Phil 3:15). This perfection or maturity was spoken of not as some future goal but as a present reality. Those who ignore this confuse teleios with teleioo.
 
 

In Hebrews 5, the recipients of the letter were criticized for not attaining this perfection:

"we have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."

The word translated here as "mature" is the same word tel'-i-os, which is translated "Perfect" in other verses. These believers were told that by this time they should be mature, but instead they were still infants. He goes on to state, "Let us leave behind the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity (Perfection)" I also consider it significant that this isn't described as the religion of "supersaints". It is spoken about and expected of every believer.

This word teleios, translated as "perfect" or "mature" is used in Mth 5:48, and 19:21, Rom 12:2, 1 Cor 2:6, and 13:10, Eph 4:13, Col 1:28, and 4:12, James 1:4, 3:2, 4:17 and 25, and 1 Jn 4:18. It's dictionary definition is: complete (In various applications of labour, growth mental and moral character, etc.): neut. ( as noun, ) completeness:- of full age, man, perfect. It is not always used in a moral context, but often it is.

Mth 5:48. In the context, Christ expounds on what it means to let our light shine and be obedient. He then tells us that the standard is perfection. This is a moral perfection.

Perfect Fellowship

Mth 19:21. The rich man had apparently lived a moral life in many regards, but seeing Christ, he was moved to ask what he still lacked. To this Christ responded, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven. Then come, follow me." Whereas Mth 5 deals with Christ's message to the crowd, this message was spoken to an individual. It is still applicable to us in that this man refused, and we have recorded Christ's response. The rich man was offered the Kingdom. He could have learned from one greater than Moses and was offered fellowship with the King of kings. Yet he went away sad. Jesus could have said, "Don't feel bad - you don't have to be perfect," but he didn't.

Romans 12:2. Paul speaks here not about being perfect, but of knowing God's will; his perfect will. This verse contains both an admonition and a promise. The promise is that if we will be transformed by the renewing of our mind, we will know his perfect will. The perfection here is, as in many other verses, connected with knowledge. It is in this class of verses that we see the commonly espoused definition to be inadequate. Here obedience is a prerequisite to knowing his will. If we don't conform to the world, but instead are transformed, then we will know. Don't we have to know his will before being obedient to it? Knowing and doing go hand in hand. God lights the way with each step you take.

Eph 4:13. It is not enough to have merely a few mature individuals in the church. One of the duties of the ministry is to work towards bringing all to maturity, so that "we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their scheming", (Eph. 4:14). I have no assurance that all will come to maturity during in my life, but nevertheless this is what the ministry should be aiming for. In this case, I am not talking about actualities, but about possibilities. God is not willing for any to perish, yet millions die and go to hell. Why? Because God didn't reach out to them? Nothing could be further from the truth! Christ's charge against Israel was: "But you were not willing."

The light shines brightly, but people love darkness rather than light John 3:17. Those who go to hell were not willing to respond to the light. Provision has been made for the salvation of the entire world (Jn 3:16) and the sanctification of the church (Peter 1:3). The question is, Will you work with God or against him?

The life of Paul constantly encourages and challenges me. Paul labored to present everyone perfect and complete in Christ.

"We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor with all the energy which so powerfully works in me."

Colossians 1:28-29

Paul went on to tell the Colossians that he wanted them to know Christ in all his fullness. He didn't want them to miss out on any aspect of what was theirs in Christ. This should be our heart as well.

Colossians 4:12 " Epaphrus, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured." In the King James translation, the verse is "perfect and complete in all the will of God." Finney commented that, "Paul knew that Epaphrus was laboring with expectation to this end; and he informed the church of it in a manner that evidently showed his approval of the views and the conduct of Epaphrus." (Principles of Sanctification, p. 73)

James 1:4 " Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." This verse explains another requirement for maturity. We know from the parable of the sower that those who have no root fall away in the midst of trouble or persecution. But we find in James that trials develop the perseverance necessary so that "you may be mature and complete."

James 3:2b "If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check." Because the context of this verse is important, it is dealt with more thoroughly in the chapter on Objections. For the sake of this discussion, however, this verse describes control of the tongue as a requirement for attaining this perfection.

Here the apostle chooses to use both variations:

"God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. Love is made (telioo) complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgement, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But (telios) perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The man who fears is not made (telioo) perfect in love."

1 John 4:16-18.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above," James 1:17

"But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, (to obey it), not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does." Here we have the word spoken of as the perfect law, what we are doing now is looking intently into it, and we will be blessed in all that we do if we obey it. James 1:25

"When perfection comes, the imperfect disappears."1 Cor 13:10

The context of this verse is perfect revelation and perfect knowledge, which will happen when we see him face to face.

In the following passages, the word teleios is usually translated as "mature" in the NIV, used to describe stages of growth. We are born into the kingdom as infants regarding the faith, and we must grow to maturity.

1 Cor 2:6 " We do, however, speak a word of wisdom among the mature," Unfortunately, Paul was not able to count the Corinthians as among the mature. Like the Hebrews, the Corinthians were called babes or "infants in Christ." As a result, Paul concentrated on basic issues.

As noted, maturity is often connected with knowledge, but we see in Paul's writing that it is knowledge practiced. "Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly - mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarrels among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?" (1 Cor 3:1-2).

It is my belief that the church today, as in the time of the Corinthians, is largely confused about some basic issues. Too much time is spent debating issues such as eschatology, when we desperately need to get back to the basics. Indeed, some of these issues are interesting to look at, but we must get a thorough understanding of the basics first and foremost. I have heard Hank many times make a similar statement, but we're obviously at odds with each other on just what those basic issues are. In my mind, much of what he considers to be basic, I would consider to be teaching for the mature. While Hank seems to view jealousy, quarrels, division, and other problems as an unfortunately normal part of church life, Paul did not. Paul considered them symptoms of spiritual immaturity that need to be dealt with. Indeed, he regarded the state of the Corinthians as something that needed to be overcome before he could proceed with further teaching. Many of the issues he addressed were moral in nature, especially issues that related to practice. Paul was concerned enough about them that he would not go to solid food until the basics were known and practiced; for until then, he did not consider them ready.
 

Let us look briefly at what the Apostles considered to be foundational, that we may get these straight in our own lives and then aim to lead others to maturity as well. In Hebrews 6:1-2, the author urges us to:

"leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instructions about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgement."

Repentance is often spoken of today in such a way as to leave the impression that you don't need to change your lifestyle. How different this is from Paul's own teaching in Ephesians 4:21-24!

"Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught , with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by it's deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
 

Paul then continues to talk about truthfulness, dealing with anger, and many other things relating to a holy lifestyle. He tells us to live a life of love, just as Christ Loved us. These are basics. Husbands must be taught how to treat their wives, and children how to love their parents.

Many equate sorrow with repentance; however, this is a false sorrow which can lead to repentance. It is not repentance itself (2 Cor 7:8-11).

Baptisms This of course relates to baptism in Christ, both in water and in the Spirit. Being baptized into Christ means being baptized into his death, so that we can be dead to sin but alive to God (Rom 6). Water baptism is significant as it is the "pledge of a good conscience towards God," according to 1 Peter 3:21.

Baptism in the Spirit is important for many purposes, including power to be his witnesses.

Laying on of hands is significant in regards to prayer and commissioning.

The resurrection of the dead is a crucial issue, central to our faith, since Christ's own resurrection is at the heart of the gospel. Truly, it is the core of why we believe, and our very hope is in our resurrection. (See 1 Cor 15 for extensive treatment of this issue.)

Eternal judgment is almost never taught, yet there is surely going to be a judgement, both for believers and unbelievers.

These are the basics

Perfection 2