Spiritual Maturity: τελειότης (Strong’s G5047: teleiotēs) Unites Believers in Love

Strong’s G5047: A feminine noun denoting perfection or completeness, derived from τέλειος. Used in New Testament contexts to describe the state of spiritual maturity and completeness in Christian character, particularly emphasizing love as the bond of perfect unity.

U – Unveiling the Word

τελειότης represents the state or quality of being perfect or complete, particularly in spiritual development. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts emphasizing spiritual maturity and the fullness of Christian character. In Colossians 3:14, it describes love as the bond of perfect unity, while in Hebrews 6:1, it refers to spiritual maturity beyond basic doctrines. The early church understood τελειότης as both the goal of Christian growth and the present reality of Christ’s perfecting work in believers. Today, it continues to challenge believers to press on toward complete spiritual maturity while recognizing that true perfection comes through union with the Messiah.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: τελειότης, teleiotēs, tel-i-ot’-ace
• Phonetic Guide: tel (as in “tell”) + eye + oh + tace (as in “face”)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• From τέλειος (teleios) – perfect, complete
• -της (-tēs) – nominal suffix indicating state or quality
• Ultimate root τέλος (telos) – end, goal, purpose

D – Defining Meanings

• State of perfection
• Completeness
• Spiritual maturity
• Full development
• Moral perfection

Translation Options:

• “perfection” – emphasizes the quality of being complete
• “maturity” – captures the developmental aspect
• “completeness” – reflects the state of having reached fullness

E – Exploring Similar Words

• τέλειος (teleios) – perfect, complete See G5046
• τελείωσις (teleiōsis) – completion, fulfillment See G5050
• πλήρωμα (plērōma) – fullness See G4138

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Nominal Features:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular
• Gender: Feminine
• Declension: Third declension

Examples:

• Nominative: τελειότης (perfection)
• Genitive: τελειότητος (of perfection)
• Dative: τελειότητι (in/by perfection)
• Accusative: τελειότητα (perfection as object)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG presents τελειότης as denoting the state of completion or perfection, particularly in moral and spiritual contexts. Thayer’s emphasizes its connection to completeness in Christian character. LSJ traces its classical usage in philosophical contexts discussing moral perfection. Vine’s notes its relationship to spiritual maturity and growth. Strong’s connects it to the concept of reaching a goal or purpose. Moulton and Milligan observe its use in papyri describing complete development or full maturity. The lexical evidence suggests τελειότης represents both a present reality and an ongoing process in Christian life.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond [τελειότητος] of unity.” Colossians 3:14

Additional References:
Hebrews 6:1

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

τελειότης beautifully expresses the ultimate goal of Christian life – complete maturity in the Messiah. It reminds us that love is the bond of perfect unity and that spiritual growth is both a present reality and an ongoing journey. In the Messiah, we find the perfect expression of τελειότης, and through Him, we are being transformed into His likeness. This word proclaims that true perfection is found not in our own efforts but in His completing work in us.

D – Did You Know?

• τελειότης appears only twice in the New Testament
• The word was used in Greek philosophy to describe moral excellence
• Early church fathers used this term to describe Christ’s perfect humanity

Strong’s G5047: A feminine noun denoting perfection or completeness, derived from τέλειος. Used in New Testament contexts to describe the state of spiritual maturity and completeness in Christian character, particularly emphasizing love as the bond of perfect unity.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: perfection, maturity, completeness, unity, love, spiritual-growth, sanctification, character, development, wholeness​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​