Understanding Teleioō in Scripture

The Meaning of teleioo

The Greek verb 'teleioo' (τελειόω) denotes the act of completing, perfecting, or fulfilling something to its intended purpose.

Unlike 'teleios' (τέλειος), which describes a state of maturity or perfection, 'teleioo' emphasizes the active process of achieving that state. Hebrews 7:28 illustrates this dynamic by stating Jesus was 'made perfect' (τελειωθεὶς) through God’s oath, highlighting a transformative act rather than a static condition.

teleioo in Biblical Context

The verb 'teleioo' appears primarily in the New Testament, with its theological weight most evident in passages emphasizing completion and divine purpose.

In Matthew 5:48, Jesus commands, 'Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect,' using the adjective 'teleios' (τέλειος), which shares semantic roots with 'teleioo.' This underscores the ethical and relational maturity God calls His people to pursue. Hebrews 7:28, however, uniquely employs 'teleioo' in the context of Jesus being 'made perfect' (τελειωθεὶς) through God’s oath, highlighting his qualification as a superior high priest through a divine, transformative act rather than inherent perfection.

These usages reflect 'teleioo’s' dual focus on fulfillment and sanctification—whether in the moral development of believers or the redemptive work of Christ. Such contexts invite readers to consider how completion in Scripture often involves dynamic, God-ordained processes rather than static states.

teleioo and Christ's Priesthood in Hebrews 7:28

Hebrews 7:28 underscores Christ’s superiority as high priest by framing His appointment as a divine act of ‘teleioo,’ contrasting Him with the flawed Levitical order.

The verse states, ‘For the law makes men high priests, taken from men in the ordinary way, but the word of the oath, which comes after the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect (τελειωθεὶς) forever’ (Hebrews 7:28, NAU). Here, ‘teleioo’ emphasizes a transformative, God-ordained completion, positioning Jesus as uniquely qualified through divine oath rather than human lineage. This contrasts sharply with the Levitical priests, whose imperfection necessitated repeated sacrifices (Hebrews 7:27). The term conveys not inherent flawlessness but a functional perfection—Jesus’ priesthood is fully equipped to fulfill God’s redemptive purposes. This dynamic use of ‘teleioo’ highlights the inadequacy of the old covenant and the definitive sufficiency of Christ’s priesthood.

This usage reveals Christ’s priesthood as both eternally secure and supremely effective, grounded in God’s sovereign will rather than human frailty.

By framing Jesus’ perfection as a divine act, Hebrews invites readers to trust in a priesthood that transcends human limitations, pointing forward to the broader theme of Christ’s ongoing intercession and the believer’s access to God through Him.

Putting 'teleioo' into Practice

Believers today are called to embody the principle of 'teleioo' by striving toward spiritual maturity and obedience, reflecting the perfection Jesus exemplified in Hebrews 7:28.

This pursuit begins with embracing the transformative work of God in our lives, as Jesus' priesthood was perfected through divine appointment rather than human merit (Hebrews 7:28). Matthew 5:48 challenges followers to 'be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect,' not as a call to self-attained flawlessness but as a summons to align with God's redemptive purposes. Practically, this involves cultivating humility, repentance, and reliance on Scripture to shape character. By prioritizing relational integrity and trusting in God's ongoing sanctification, believers participate in the dynamic journey of 'teleioo'—a process where divine grace and human responsibility converge to fulfill God's design for their lives.

Going Deeper

To deepen your understanding of 'teleioo,' consider exploring scholarly resources that unpack its theological and linguistic nuances.

Commentaries on Hebrews, such as those by F.F. Bruce or Michael Green, provide detailed analysis of its use in 7:28, while Greek lexicons like BDAG (Bauer-Danker) clarify its semantic range. Engaging with Matthew 5:48 through these tools can also illuminate Jesus’ call to ethical maturity rooted in divine perfection.