Spiritual Fruitfulness: τελεσφορέω (Strong’s G5052: telesphoreo) Yields Perfect Maturity

Strong’s G5052: A compound verb combining “end/completion” (τέλος) and “to bear/carry” (φέρω), meaning to bring to maturity or completion. Used in agricultural contexts to describe fruit-bearing, metaphorically applied to spiritual growth and the production of mature faith.

U – Unveiling the Word

τελεσφορέω represents the process of bringing something to full maturity or completion, particularly in the context of bearing fruit. In its sole New Testament appearance in Luke 8:14, it appears in the Parable of the Sower, describing how worldly concerns prevent some hearers from bringing fruit to maturity. This compound word combines the concept of completion (τέλος) with bearing or carrying (φέρω), creating a rich metaphor for spiritual development. The early church understood this term as expressing the full development of spiritual fruit in believers’ lives. Today, it continues to challenge believers to cultivate conditions that allow God’s word to produce mature spiritual fruit.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: τελεσφορέω, telesphoreo, tel-es-for-eh’-o
• Phonetic Guide: tel (as in “tell”) + es + for (as in “for”) + eh + o
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• τέλος (telos) – end, completion, goal
• φέρω (pherō) – to bear, carry, bring
• -έω (-eō) – verb ending indicating continuous action

D – Defining Meanings

• To bring to maturity
• To bear perfect fruit
• To bring to completion
• To reach full development

For compound words:

• τέλος provides the sense of completion or perfection
• φέρω adds the aspect of bearing or carrying forward
• -έω indicates ongoing process

Translation Options:

• “to bring to maturity” – emphasizes the developmental process
• “to bear perfect fruit” – captures the agricultural metaphor
• “to reach completion” – focuses on the end result

E – Exploring Similar Words

• καρποφορέω (karpophoreō) – to bear fruit See G2592
• τελειόω (teleioō) – to perfect, complete See G5048
• φέρω (pherō) – to bear, carry See G5342

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Verbal Features:

• Tense: Present (continuous action)
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Indicative
• Person: Third
• Number: Plural
• Aspect: Progressive/Linear

Examples:

• Present Active: τελεσφορῶ (I bring to maturity)
• Present Participle: τελεσφοροῦντες (bringing to maturity)
• Aorist: ἐτελεσφόρησα (I brought to maturity)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

The lexical sources provide rich understanding of τελεσφορέω. BDAG emphasizes its agricultural origins and metaphorical application to spiritual growth. Thayer’s notes its connection to bringing things to completion or perfection. LSJ documents its use in classical Greek for the ripening of crops and fruits. Vine’s highlights its unique appearance in the Parable of the Sower. Strong’s emphasizes the compound nature of the word. Moulton and Milligan cite examples from agricultural papyri. The combined evidence suggests τελεσφορέω was carefully chosen to express the concept of full development and maturity in both literal and spiritual contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity [τελεσφοροῦσιν].” Luke 8:14

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

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

τελεσφορέω powerfully illustrates the process of spiritual maturation in believers’ lives. Its use in the Parable of the Sower reminds us that hearing God’s word is just the beginning; we must cultivate conditions that allow it to reach full maturity. This word proclaims that the Messiah’s work in us is aimed at producing fully mature spiritual fruit, unhindered by worldly concerns. It encourages believers to focus on creating an environment where God’s word can complete its perfect work.

D – Did You Know?

• τελεσφορέω appears only once in the New Testament
• The word was commonly used in agricultural writings about crop maturation
• Ancient Greek medical writers used it to describe full development of a fetus

Strong’s G5052: A compound verb combining “end/completion” (τέλος) and “to bear/carry” (φέρω), meaning to bring to maturity or completion. Used in agricultural contexts to describe fruit-bearing, metaphorically applied to spiritual growth and the production of mature faith.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: maturity, fruit-bearing, completion, growth, parables, agriculture, spiritual-development, Luke, perfection, harvest​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​