Teleios

The word “Teleios” (τέλειος in Greek) carries profound implications for spiritual growth and maturity.

Complete and Mature

• Full Development: Teleios primarily signifies a state of completion, maturity, or full development. It refers to reaching the intended goal or purpose for which something was created.
• Spiritual Growth: In a Christian context, teleios describes the process of spiritual growth and transformation, where believers are increasingly conformed to the image of Christ.

Perfect and Blameless

• Moral and Ethical Perfection: Teleios can also convey a sense of moral and ethical perfection, a state of wholeness and integrity. This reflects God’s perfect character and His desire for believers to become holy and blameless.
• Christ’s Perfection: Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of teleios, as He lived a sinless life and fulfilled God’s perfect will. Believers are called to strive for this perfection through a lifelong process of sanctification.

Whole and Complete

• Lacking Nothing: Teleios can also imply a state of being whole and complete, lacking nothing necessary for fullness and well-being. This speaks of the abundance of life found in Christ and the fulfilment of God’s promises.
• Spiritual Maturity: In this sense, teleios describes a mature believer who has grown in faith, knowledge, and obedience to God’s Word. They are characterised by a deep understanding of God’s love, a commitment to righteousness, and a desire to serve others.

Biblical Examples

• Matthew 5:48: Jesus instructs His followers to “be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” This call to perfection is not a demand for absolute sinlessness but an invitation to pursue spiritual maturity and wholeness.
• 1 Corinthians 13:10: Paul speaks of a time when “the perfect comes,” referring to the completion of God’s plan and the fullness of His kingdom.
• Colossians 1:28: Paul’s goal is to “present everyone mature (teleios) in Christ,” emphasising the importance of spiritual growth and maturity in the Christian life.

In conclusion, Teleios is a rich and multifaceted concept in Christian theology. It represents a journey of spiritual growth, a pursuit of moral perfection, and a longing for wholeness and completeness in Christ. It is a reminder of God’s ultimate goal for His people, a call to strive for maturity, and a promise of ultimate fulfilment in His presence.