Perfection

Christians struggle with the concept of perfection. We associate perfection with sinlessness. However, the New Testament word has reference to completeness. The word “teleios” is found 19 times in the New Testament and is translated “perfect” every time in the King James Version. While rendered “perfect” on several occasions in the New King James Version, it is also rendered “mature” (1 Corinthians 2:6; Philippians 3:15). Thayer says that the original word means, “wanting nothing necessary to completeness” (#5046). The word “katartizo” is found 13 times in the New Testament and is translated “perfect” or “perfected” several times in the King James Version. In the New King James Version it is also translated “complete” (Hebrews 13:21) or “become complete” (2 Corinthians 13:11). Thayer says that the original word means, “to render fit, sound, complete” (#2675). No, we will never reach sinless perfection this side of eternity. John wrote, “If we say…