Complete Focus: τελείως (Strong’s G5049: teleiōs) Directs Hope Toward Grace

Strong’s G5049: An adverb meaning “perfectly,” “completely,” or “fully,” derived from τέλειος (perfect). Used in context of spiritual preparation and hope, particularly emphasizing complete focus and dedication in pursuing spiritual goals and resting in God’s grace.

U – Unveiling the Word

τελείως captures the concept of doing something completely, perfectly, or with full dedication. In its New Testament usage, particularly in 1 Peter 1:13, it describes the manner in which believers should set their hope on God’s grace. The word emphasizes not just partial attention or effort, but complete, unwavering focus. Early church fathers understood τελείως as expressing the totality of Christian commitment and the completeness with which believers should embrace God’s promises. Today, it challenges believers to pursue spiritual goals with undivided attention and to trust God’s grace without reservation.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: τελείως, teleiōs, tel-i’-oce
• Phonetic Guide: tel (as in “tell”) + eye + oce (as in “dose”)
• Part of Speech: Adverb

Etymology:

• From τέλειος (teleios) – perfect, complete
• -ως (-ōs) – adverbial suffix indicating manner
• Ultimate root τέλος (telos) – end, goal, purpose

D – Defining Meanings

• Completely
• Perfectly
• Fully
• Thoroughly
• Without reservation

Translation Options:

• “completely” – emphasizes thoroughness and totality
• “perfectly” – highlights the qualitative aspect
• “fully” – captures both quantity and quality aspects

E – Exploring Similar Words

• τέλειος (teleios) – perfect, complete See G5046
• ὁλοτελῶς (holotelōs) – wholly, completely See G3651
• ἀκριβῶς (akribōs) – accurately, carefully See G199

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Adverbial Features:

• As an adverb, τελείως remains unchanged regardless of the word it modifies
• Modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs
• Cannot be declined or conjugated
• Functions to describe how an action is performed

Cross-references:

• Related adjective: τέλειος (perfect)
• Related verb: τελειόω (to perfect)
• Related noun: τελειότης (perfection)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexical sources provide valuable insights into τελείως. BDAG emphasizes its use in describing complete or perfect action. Thayer’s notes its connection to wholehearted dedication. LSJ documents its classical usage meaning “perfectly” or “completely.” Vine’s connects it to the concept of mature Christian behavior. Strong’s relates it to the idea of completeness in quality and character. Moulton and Milligan find examples in papyri where it describes thorough or complete actions. The combined evidence suggests τελείως emphasizes both the quality and completeness of an action or attitude.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely [τελείως] on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus the Messiah.” 1 Peter 1:13

Additional References:
This word appears only once in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

τελείως calls believers to wholehearted dedication in their spiritual journey, particularly in setting their hope on God’s grace. Its use in 1 Peter 1:13 emphasizes that our trust in the Messiah’s return should be complete and unwavering. This word reminds us that the good news demands our full attention and complete trust, not a partial or hesitant response. In the Messiah, we find the perfect reason to hope completely, as He perfectly fulfilled God’s plan for our salvation.

D – Did You Know?

• τελείως appears only once in the New Testament
• The word was used in ancient legal documents to indicate complete compliance
• Early Christian writers used it to describe perfect devotion to God

Strong’s G5049: An adverb meaning “perfectly,” “completely,” or “fully,” derived from τέλειος (perfect). Used in context of spiritual preparation and hope, particularly emphasizing complete focus and dedication in pursuing spiritual goals and resting in God’s grace.

Part of speech: Adverb

Tags: completeness, perfection, hope, dedication, commitment, grace, Peter, focus, spiritual-preparation, maturity​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​