Doctrines and Principles

Becoming Perfect

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Question:

In the “Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus said, “Be perfect, just as your Father in Heaven is perfect” (Mt 5:48). What did He mean by the word “perfect”?

Our Answer:

The Greek word for “perfect” in this verse is “teleios” and can be translated “complete,” “mature,” or “full-grown.” Jesus was showing by His explanation of the law that most people are only interested in following God’s law in a superficial sense. In other words, they would obey the letter of it but miss its true intent. The point Jesus was making by exhorting His followers to be “perfect” was that partial devotion to God’s way of life will not work. Compassion toward others and obedience to the spiritual intent of the law are meant to be complete and mature acts of righteousness.

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