Divine Perfector: τελειωτής (Strong’s G5051: teleiōtēs) Completes Our Faith Journey

Strong’s G5051: A masculine noun meaning “perfecter” or “completer,” describing one who brings something to its intended goal. Used exclusively of Jesus in Hebrews 12:2, emphasizing His role in perfecting and completing the faith of believers from start to finish.

U – Unveiling the Word

τελειωτής represents a profound theological concept as the one who brings something to completion or perfection. In its sole New Testament appearance in Hebrews 12:2, it describes Jesus as the “perfecter of faith,” highlighting His unique role in bringing believers’ faith to completion. The early church understood this term as expressing Christ’s ongoing work in perfecting believers’ faith journey. Today, this word continues to remind us that Jesus not only initiates our faith but actively works to bring it to completion, sustaining and perfecting believers through every stage of their spiritual journey.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: τελειωτής, teleiōtēs, tel-i-o-tace’
• Phonetic Guide: tel (as in “tell”) + eye + oh + tace (as in “face”)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• From τελειόω (teleioō) – to perfect, complete
• -της (-tēs) – agent noun suffix indicating “one who does”
• Ultimate root τέλος (telos) – end, goal, purpose

D – Defining Meanings

• Perfecter
• Completer
• One who brings to completion
• One who perfects
• Finisher

Translation Options:

• “perfecter” – emphasizes the qualitative aspect of bringing to perfection
• “completer” – focuses on bringing something to its intended goal
• “finisher” – captures the aspect of bringing to completion

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἀρχηγός (archēgos) – author, pioneer See G747
• τελειωτής (teleiōtēs) – perfecter See G5051
• καταρτιστής (katartistēs) – equipper See related concept in G2675

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Nominal Features:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular
• Gender: Masculine
• Declension: First declension

Examples:

• Nominative: τελειωτής (perfecter)
• Genitive: τελειωτοῦ (of the perfecter)
• Dative: τελειωτῇ (to/for the perfecter)
• Accusative: τελειωτήν (perfecter as object)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

The lexical sources provide rich insights into τελειωτής. BDAG emphasizes its unique application to Jesus as the one who brings faith to perfection. Thayer’s highlights its connection to the completion of salvation. LSJ notes its rarity in classical Greek, suggesting its specialized Christian usage. Vine’s connects it to Christ’s role in both initiating and completing faith. Strong’s emphasizes the active agency implied by the -της suffix. Moulton and Milligan observe its distinctive New Testament usage. The combined evidence suggests τελειωτής was carefully chosen to express Christ’s unique role in perfecting believers’ faith.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter [τελειωτής] of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

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

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

τελειωτής beautifully expresses Christ’s role in bringing our faith to completion. As the perfecter of our faith, Jesus not only initiates but sustains and completes our spiritual journey. This word reminds us that our spiritual growth isn’t dependent on our own efforts but on His faithful work in us. In the Messiah, we find not just the beginning but the perfect completion of our faith, as He works to conform us to His image until the day of completion.

D – Did You Know?

• τελειωτής appears only once in the New Testament
• The word creates a powerful pair with “author” (ἀρχηγός) in Hebrews 12:2
• Early church fathers used this term exclusively for Christ’s perfecting work

Strong’s G5051: A masculine noun meaning “perfecter” or “completer,” describing one who brings something to its intended goal. Used exclusively of Jesus in Hebrews 12:2, emphasizing His role in perfecting and completing the faith of believers from start to finish.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: perfecter, completer, faith, Jesus, Hebrews, spiritual-growth, completion, author, finisher, sanctification​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​