Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "being perfect" in the Bible is a profound and multifaceted theme that encompasses spiritual maturity, moral integrity, and completeness in one's relationship with God. The term "perfect" in the biblical context often translates from the Hebrew word "tamim" and the Greek word "teleios," both of which convey the idea of wholeness, maturity, and blamelessness.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the call to perfection is often associated with wholehearted devotion to God. For instance, in
Genesis 17:1, God commands Abram, "I am God Almighty; walk before Me and be blameless." Here, "blameless" is synonymous with being perfect, indicating a life of integrity and faithfulness to God's covenant.
The book of Deuteronomy also emphasizes this theme.
Deuteronomy 18:13 states, "You must be blameless before the LORD your God." This call to blamelessness is a call to live in complete obedience and loyalty to God, rejecting idolatry and adhering to His commandments.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, Jesus Christ elevates the call to perfection in the Sermon on the Mount. In
Matthew 5:48, He instructs His followers, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." This command underscores the pursuit of holiness and love that reflects the character of God. The perfection Jesus speaks of is not merely external compliance but an internal transformation that aligns one's heart with God's will.
The Apostle Paul also addresses the concept of perfection in his epistles. In
Philippians 3:12-15, Paul acknowledges that he has not yet attained perfection but presses on toward the goal. He writes, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been perfected, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." Here, perfection is seen as a continual process of growth and sanctification in the Christian life.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, being perfect is understood as a process of sanctification, where believers are progressively conformed to the image of Christ. This process is empowered by the Holy Spirit and involves both divine initiative and human responsibility. While ultimate perfection is realized in the eschatological future, believers are called to strive for holiness in their present lives.
The concept of perfection also highlights the sufficiency of Christ's atoning work.
Hebrews 10:14 states, "For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified." This verse underscores that through Christ's sacrifice, believers are positionally perfect before God, even as they are being made perfect in their daily walk.
Practical ApplicationPractically, the call to be perfect challenges Christians to pursue a life of holiness, love, and obedience. It involves a commitment to spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, study of Scripture, and fellowship with other believers. It also calls for a life of ethical integrity, reflecting God's love and righteousness in all relationships and actions.
In summary, being perfect in the biblical sense is not about achieving flawlessness but about growing in maturity and completeness in Christ. It is a dynamic journey of faith, empowered by God's grace, and marked by a deepening relationship with Him.
Topical Bible Verses
1 John 4:18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.
Topicalbible.orgMatthew 5:48
Be you therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
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Philippians 3:15
Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing you be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this to you.
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Colossians 1:23
If you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
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Greek
53. hagnos -- free from ceremonial defilement, holy, sacred... even within (even down to the center of one's
being); not with
... the same as hagios;
properly, clean, ie (figuratively) innocent, modest,
perfect -- chaste, clean
...4265. problepo -- to foresee
... that apart from us they (OT believers) would not be madeperfect (ie glorified... Supper
of the Lamb with NT believers] -- for the purpose ofbeing consummated [ie...
1492. eido -- be aware, behold, consider, perceive
... the othersbeing borrowed from the equivalent optanomai and horao; properly, to
see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in theperfect tense only) to...
Strong's Hebrew
7965. shalom -- completeness, soundness, welfare, peace... 3),
perfect peace (1), prosperity (3), rose (1), safe (2), safely (7), safety (6),
secure (1), state (1), trusted (1), welfare (14), well (17), well-
being (5
...Library
But this Only Son of God, the Father Almighty...
... to get on. Thebeing born, ye have; but also the growing, ye ought to have;
because no man begins withbeing perfect. As for the...
Happiness Deriving fromPerfect Uniformity.
... and deceiving as they are, they captivate the senses for the timebeing, but bring...
not those whose wills are united to the infinitely good andperfect will of...
What is Hierarchy? and what the Use of Hierarchy?
... are worthy of enlightenment; and that those who makeperfect, asbeing skilled in
the impartation of perfection, shouldperfect thosebeing perfected, through...
Christian Perfection
... holiness. This implies ourbeing perfect in God's will, and because we
have yielded our will completely to him. Every disposition...
Morgan -- thePerfect Ideal of Life
... are the things that createperfect human life, living in the realm of which man
realizes perfectly all the possibilities of his wondrousbeing""the things...
The Crossing of the Jordan
... To begin with, then, let us consider what a consecration is, and next we shall consider
the evidences of itsbeing perfect and acceptable to God....
The Communion of Saints.
... But yet we know that at present the Church of Christ is very far frombeing
perfect. And the mingling together of holy and unholy...
Christ --Perfect through Sufferings
... particulars: first, that Christ is aperfect Savior; secondly, that he became so
through suffering; and thirdly, that hisbeing madeperfect through suffering...
Book iv. --Of Marcion's Antitheses.
... He hath outpoured. A holy victim, then,. Is meet for a great priest; which worthily.
He,being perfect, may be proved to have,. And offer. He a body hath: this...
Removing the Veil
... He cannot do either, forbeing perfect He cannot become moreperfect, and
if He were to become lessperfect He would be less than God....
Resources
What does the Bible say about being poor? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about being a man? | GotQuestions.orgHow can a Christian woman avoid being a diva? | GotQuestions.orgBeing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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