The Perfect Bible Verses [Commands + Teachings on “Perfection”]

[Part 2 in the Perfection Topical Bible Study]

In the first post in this study, we defined “perfect” according to the way the term is used in Scripture. Keeping those definitions in mind, we can now look at all the New Testament passages relevant to Christian perfection. I have organized the passages under commands and teachings. I have given a very brief summary in my own words of the passage as it relates to perfection. Links are included which will take you to that chapter in a parallel Bible.

COMMANDS:

1. Be perfect (telios) like God. (Mt. 5:48)
2. God’s love is perfected (telios) in those who obey Christ. Live like Christ, love one another, have no fear. (1 Jo. 2:5, 4:12)
3. Don’t think you’re yet perfect (teliō), but strive towards it to mirror Christ making you His own. (Ph’p 3:9-15)
4. Cleanse yourself from defilement of flesh & spirit, perfecting (epiteleō) holiness. (2 Co. 7:1)
5. Be perfect (katartizo). (2 Co. 13:11)

TEACHINGS:

1. When the perfect (telios) [love] comes, the partial [spiritual gifts] will be done away with. (1 Co. 13:10)
2. By one sacrifice, Christ has made perfect (teliō) forever all those who are being sanctified. (Heb. 10:14)
3. Faith is perfected (teliō) by works (Jas. 2:22)
4. Christ’s power is perfected (teliō)in us in weakness/insults/calamities/distress, etc. It makes us strong. (2 Co. 12:9)
5. Paul was not yet perfect (teliō), tells us not to think we are yet perfect. (Ph’p 3:9-15)
6. We are not being perfected (epiteleō) by the flesh/Law but by faith/Spirit. (Gal. 3:3)
7. God Himself will perfect (katartizō), confirm, strengthen and establish you.” (1 Pet. 5:10)
8. God gave some to perfect (katartismos), equip/build up the saints until we all reach unity/fullness/maturity in Christ, properly fitted to the Head and whole body. (Eph. 4:12-16)

I bolded the passages that seemed not just relevant to the topic at hand but foundational. Now comes the work of wrapping our minds around all of this and having a way to articulate what the Bible teaches about being perfect. I suggest reviewing the verses above (and any other I may have missed that you find relevant), focus on the foundational passages and prayerfully consider how they fit together.

Focus on the passages wherein the author specifically sets out to teach about one or both of the following:

• what exactly perfection means
• what exactly perfection looks like or doesn’t look like when it’s lived out

In the next post we will begin with those passages that speak most clearly and most didactically on the subject and build our understanding on that foundation.

Happy studies and God bless!

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