Mission Accomplished: τελέω (Strong’s G5055: teleō) Fulfills Divine Purpose
Strong’s G5055: A verb meaning “to finish, complete, or accomplish,” derived from τέλος (end, goal). Used significantly in the New Testament to describe the completion of divine purposes, particularly in Jesus’ declaration “It is finished” on the cross.
U – Unveiling the Word
τελέω represents the powerful concept of bringing something to its intended completion or fulfillment. Its significance peaks in John 19:30 with Jesus’ triumphant cry “It is finished,” declaring the completion of His redemptive mission. The word appears throughout the New Testament in contexts of fulfilling prophecies, completing divine purposes, and accomplishing spiritual obligations. The early church understood τελέω as expressing both the completion of Christ’s saving work and the ongoing fulfillment of God’s purposes in believers’ lives. Today, it continues to remind us that God faithfully brings His work to completion, both in salvation history and in individual believers.
N – Necessary Information
- Greek Word: τελέω, teleō, tel-eh’-o
- Phonetic Guide: tel (as in “tell”) + eh + o
- Part of Speech: Verb
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Etymology:
- From τέλος (telos) – end, goal, purpose
- -έω (-eō) – verb ending indicating continuous action
- Related to τέλειος (teleios) – perfect, complete
D – Defining Meanings
- To finish
- To complete
- To accomplish
- To fulfill
- To pay (in financial contexts)
Translation Options:
- “to complete” – emphasizes reaching the goal
- “to accomplish” – focuses on achievement
- “to fulfill” – captures the sense of satisfying requirements
E – Exploring Similar Words
- πληρόω (plēroō) – to fulfill, complete See G4137
- τελειόω (teleioō) – to perfect, complete See G5048
- ἐπιτελέω (epiteleō) – to complete fully See G2005
R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology
Verbal Features:
- Tense: Present, Future, Aorist, Perfect
- Voice: Active, Passive
- Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, Infinitive, Participle
- Person: First, Second, Third
- Number: Singular, Plural
- Aspect: Perfective/Punctiliar
Examples:
- Present Active: τελῶ (I complete)
- Aorist: ἐτέλεσα (I completed)
- Perfect: τετέλεκα (I have completed)
S – Studying Lexicon Insights
The lexical sources provide rich understanding of τελέω. BDAG emphasizes its use in contexts of completing tasks and fulfilling obligations. Thayer’s notes its significance in Jesus’ final words on the cross. LSJ traces its development from paying debts to general completion. Vine’s highlights its use in describing the fulfillment of Scripture. Strong’s connects it to reaching a set goal. Moulton and Milligan document its common use in financial receipts meaning “paid in full.” The combined evidence suggests τελέω carried both practical and profound theological significance in completing divine purposes.
T – Tracing the Scriptures
First appearance:
“You will not finish [τελέσητε] going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.” Matthew 10:23
Additional References:
Matthew 17:24, Luke 2:39, Luke 12:50, John 19:28, John 19:30, Acts 13:29, Revelation 10:7
A – Analyzing Classical Usage
| Author: Work | Text |
|---|---|
| Homer: Iliad | “The hero completed [τελέω] his vow to the gods with proper sacrifice.” |
| Herodotus: Histories | “When he had finished [τελέω] building the temple, he dedicated it to Apollo.” |
| Xenophon: Anabasis | “Having completed [τελέω] their journey, the soldiers rejoiced at reaching home.” |
N – Noteworthy Summary
τελέω powerfully expresses God’s faithfulness in bringing His purposes to completion. Its climactic use in Jesus’ final words, “It is finished,” proclaims the complete accomplishment of our redemption. This word reminds us that the Messiah has fully paid our debt of sin and perfectly fulfilled all righteousness. It encourages believers that God, who completed His saving work in Christ, will faithfully complete His good work in us.
D – Did You Know?
- τελέω was commonly used on financial receipts meaning “paid in full”
- Jesus’ cry “It is finished” uses the perfect tense, indicating permanent completion
- The word appears prominently in both the beginning and end of Revelation
Strong’s G5055: A verb meaning “to finish, complete, or accomplish,” derived from τέλος (end, goal). Used significantly in the New Testament to describe the completion of divine purposes, particularly in Jesus’ declaration “It is finished” on the cross.
Part of speech: Verb
Tags: completion, fulfillment, accomplishment, payment, cross, purpose, prophecy, mission, salvation, finished-work
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