Strong’s G5048: A verb meaning to complete, perfect, or bring to maturity. Used significantly in describing Jesus’ work of perfection and completion, both in His own mission and in believers. Emphasizes the process of bringing something to its intended goal or fulfillment.

U – Unveiling the Word

τελειόω represents the dynamic process of bringing something or someone to completion, perfection, or maturity. In the New Testament, it carries profound theological significance, particularly in relation to Jesus’ mission and the spiritual development of believers. First appearing in Luke 2:43 regarding Jesus’ childhood, it reaches its climax in His declaration “It is finished” on the cross. The early church saw τελειόω as expressing both Christ’s perfect completion of His redemptive work and the ongoing process of believers being perfected in Him. Today, it continues to remind us that God is actively working to bring His people to spiritual completion and maturity in the Messiah.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: τελειόω, teleioō, tel-i-o’-o
• Phonetic Guide: tel (as in “tell”) + eye + oh + oh
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• From τέλειος (teleios) – perfect, complete
• -όω (-oō) – verbal suffix indicating to make or cause to be
• Ultimate root τέλος (telos) – end, goal, purpose

D – Defining Meanings

• To complete, finish
• To perfect, make perfect
• To bring to maturity
• To fulfill, accomplish
• To consummate

Translation Options:

• “to perfect” – emphasizes the qualitative aspect of completion
• “to complete” – focuses on reaching the intended goal
• “to bring to maturity” – captures the developmental process

E – Exploring Similar Words

• τελέω (teleō) – to finish, complete See G5055
• καταρτίζω (katartizō) – to perfect, complete See G2675
• πληρόω (plēroō) – to fulfill, complete See G4137

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Verbal Features:

• Tense: Present, Future, Aorist, Perfect, Pluperfect
• Voice: Active, Passive
• Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, Infinitive, Participle
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Perfective, Imperfective

Examples:

• Present Active: τελειόω (I perfect)
• Aorist Passive: ἐτελειώθην (I was perfected)
• Perfect: τετελείωκα (I have perfected)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexical sources provide rich insights into τελειόω’s meaning and usage. BDAG emphasizes its use in describing both the completion of tasks and the perfecting of people. Thayer’s highlights its connection to spiritual maturity and Christ’s completion of His work. LSJ traces its classical usage in ritual and philosophical contexts. Vine’s notes its important role in Hebrews regarding Christ’s perfecting work. Strong’s connects it to the concept of reaching a goal. Moulton and Milligan document its use in legal papyri for completing transactions. The combined evidence suggests τελειόω carries both practical and profound theological significance in completing, perfecting, and maturing.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“And when they had completed [τελειωσάντων] the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem.” Luke 2:43

Additional References:
John 4:34, John 17:23, John 19:28, Hebrews 2:10, Hebrews 5:9, Hebrews 7:28, James 2:22, 1 John 2:5, 1 John 4:12

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

τελειόω powerfully expresses God’s commitment to bringing His work to completion, both in the Messiah’s mission and in believers’ lives. It appears significantly in describing Jesus’ perfect completion of His Father’s will and His ongoing work of perfecting believers. This word proclaims that the same God who perfectly accomplished our redemption through the Messiah is faithfully working to bring us to spiritual maturity. It assures us that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion.

D – Did You Know?

• τελειόω appears 23 times in the New Testament
• It’s used extensively in Hebrews to describe Christ’s perfecting work
• The word appears at crucial moments in Jesus’ life, from childhood to cross

Strong’s G5048: A verb meaning to complete, perfect, or bring to maturity. Used significantly in describing Jesus’ work of perfection and completion, both in His own mission and in believers. Emphasizes the process of bringing something to its intended goal or fulfillment.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: perfection, completion, maturity, fulfillment, sanctification, growth, hebrews, Christ’s-work, spiritual-development, accomplishment​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​