I see an OP that quotes Jesus' statement....
Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.
So, here's my question...
How do we achieve this "be perfect"?
As perfect in my opinion is an unattainable ideal, it strikes me that it's necessary to learn what this perfect means.....
So, thankfully, the Greek language actually has a description.
Turns out the word, in Greek, is telioo.
Mat 5:48 OGNT
Ἔσεσθε Esesthe esesθe to be
οὖν oun un then
ὑμεῖς hymeis iymiys you
τέλειοι teleioi teliyiy perfect
ὡς hōs os as
ὁ ho o the
Πατὴρ Patēr patiyr father
ὑμῶν hymōn iymon of you
ὁ ho o the
οὐράνιος ouranios uraniyos heavenly
τέλειός teleios teliyos perfect
ἐστιν estin estiyn is.¶
The Strong's # is G5046
It means
complete.
Whole
Entire, lacking nothing.
Original:
τέλειος
Transliteration:
teleios
Phonetic:
tel'-i-os
Thayer Definition:
- brought to its end, finished
- wanting nothing necessary to completeness
- perfect
- that which is perfect
- consummate human integrity and virtue
- of men
- full grown, adult, of full age, mature
Origin: from
G5056
TDNT entry: 09:07,1
Part(s) of speech: Adjective
Strong's Definition: From
G5056;
complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with
G3588)
completeness: - of full age, man, perfect.
Total KJV Occurrences: 19
perfect (9)
Mat 5:48;
Mat 5:48;
Mat 19:21;
Rom 12:2;
Col 1:28;
Col 4:12;
Jas 1:4;
Jas 1:17;
1Jn 4:18 8
them that are perfect (1)
1Co 2:6
that which is perfect (1)
1Co 13:10
men (1)
1Co 14:20
a perfect (1)
Eph 4:13
be perfect (1)
Phi 3:15
of full age (1)
Heb 5:14
more perfect (1)
Heb 9:11
her perfect (1)
Jas 1:4
the perfect (1)
Jas 1:25
is a perfect (1)
Jas 3:2
Heb 10:14 OGNT
μιᾷ mia miya one
γὰρ gar gar for
προσφορᾷ prosphora prosfora offering
τετελείωκεν teteleiōken teteliyoken to perfect
εἰς eis iys toward
τὸ to to the
διηνεκὲς diēnekes ðiyiynekes perpetual
τοὺς tous tus who
ἁγιαζομένους hagiazomenous ayiyazomenus to sanctify.
G5048
Original: τελειόω
Transliteration: teleioō
Phonetic: tel-i-o'-o
Thayer Definition:
to make perfect, complete
to carry through completely, to accomplish, finish, bring to an end
to complete (perfect)
add what is yet wanting in order to render a thing full
to be found perfect
to bring to the end (goal) proposed
to accomplish
bring to a close or fulfilment by event
of the prophecies of the scriptures
Origin: from G5046
TDNT entry: 09:19,1
Part(s) of speech: Verb
Strong's Definition: From G5046; to complete, that is, (literally) accomplish, or (figuratively) consummate (in character): - consecrate, finish, fulfil, (make) perfect.
Total KJV Occurrences: 33
when they had fulfilled (1)
Luk 2:43
day i shall be perfected (1)
Luk 13:32
to finish (1)
Joh 4:34
finish (1)
Joh 5:36
i have finished (1)
Joh 17:4
made perfect (5)
Joh 17:23; Heb 12:23; Jas 2:22; 1Jn 4:17; 1Jn 4:18 5
might be fulfilled (1)
Joh 19:28
that i might finish (1)
Act 20:24
is made perfect (1)
2Co 12:9
perfect (5)
Phi 3:12; Heb 2:10; Heb 7:19; Heb 9:9; Heb 10:1 5
to make (1)
Heb 2:10
being made perfect (1)
Heb 5:9
made (1)
Heb 7:19
who is consecrated (1)
Heb 7:28
make (2)
Heb 9:9; Heb 10:1
he hath perfected (1)
Heb 10:14
they (1)
Heb 11:40
should (1)
Heb 11:40
be made perfect (1)
Heb 11:40
was (1)
Jas 2:22
is (2)
1Jn 2:5; 1Jn 4:18
perfected (2)
1Jn 2:5; 1Jn 4:12
In plain English,
God has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
I.e., this is a really good thing.
We obviously can't perfect ourselves. For those who are older among us, we've figured that out.
So, God has given us his perfection.