THIS LITTLE ARTICLE (STUDY) MIGHT BE WORTH YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION.
The passages cover a wide range of issues related to the perfections available to Christians through the salvation of Christ. I hope you will take time to read them. The passages in the Epistles address Christian living principles and are very enlightening.
The word, "Perfect" is used in everyday conversation and Biblical revelation.
The meaning and application of the word differs from situation to situation, but using these words (perfect, perfectly, perfected, perfecting, perfection) in the right setting is perfectly acceptable.
"Perfect" (and its cognates) does not always refer to "Absolute Perfection." In fact, it is used more often in reference to a specific perfection, such as, a perfect game, perfect timing, perfect match, perfect location, perfect job. In these uses people understand that certain criteria are being referred to as perfect.
There is a perfection which God calls believers to have in this present life, and God enables believers to experience that perfection. For instance, Jesus directed believers to be perfect (in love), even as our heavenly Father is perfect. It is a perfection that is not inherent to the human condition, but it is derived from God. It is a perfection in quality (according to our spiritual capacity) rather than quantity (God's immense capacity). This is illustrated as a glass of water dipped from an enormous reservoir is of the same quality, but not the same quantity as the pond, spring, lake or ocean.
"Perfect" (and its cognates or derivates) are several words used to translate the several Greek words into English. Some of the other words are better choices for certain passages, while "perfect "(not absolute perfection) is a better translation in some of those passages.
Nothing requires that the word, "perfect" should be understood as "absolute perfection." God chose the words in the original languages, and linguists and translators have chosen the word, "perfect" as a correct representation of the original languages. Also, in English the word perfect has been used and is presently understood in normal conversations. It only becomes a problem when people want to erroneously use the word contrary to God's use of the word in the Bible.
It is not surprising that people parrot the false arguments against God's provision of a spiritual perfection. Very few preachers and teachers are leading their people into Biblical perfection and very few people want God to totally change them, or their lives.
These passages are taken from New Testament of the King James Version of the Bible, but other English translations differ very little. I have chosen verses which apply strictly to Christian living and to the perfecting grace of God as it is provided in the salvation of Christ.
I will give a brief line of introduction, then the passage. I refer to forty-nine separate passages, which use the word perfect in relationship to the salvation provided by Christ. To blanketly disallow the word, "perfect" in relationship to the Christian experience is to deny the original revelation of God and the faithful translations which use this word.
Perfect Love (perfect in quality, not quantity)
Matthew 5:48
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Perfectly Whole (physical health made whole)
Matthew 14:35-36
35 And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;
36 And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.
Perfect in Commitment (unrestrained commitment)
Matthew 19:21
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
Perfect Praise (undiluted praise)
Matthew 21:16
16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
Perfect Understanding (complete understanding)
Luke 1:3
3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
Perfect(ed) (mended, restored)
Luke 6:40
40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
Perfection of Fruit (fully developed)
Luke 8:14
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
Perfection Christ (faithfully finishing His work)
Luke 13:31-32
31 The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.
32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
DLG NOTE... Undisclosed period of time referred to by Jesus
Perfecting The Church On Earth (finishing, completing, uniting The Church)
John 17:23
23 I in them, and Thou in me, that they may be perfected into one, and that the world may know that Thou didst send me, and didst love them as Thou didst love me.
Perfect (normal) Physical Soundness In Healing
Acts 3:16
16 and on the faith of his name, this one whom ye see and have known, his name made strong, even the faith that is through him did give to him this perfect soundness before you all.
More Perfectly (more accurately, more completely).
Acts 18:26
26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
More Perfectly (more completely, more thoroughly)
Acts 22:3
3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
More Perfectly (more thoroughly, more completely)
Acts 23:15
15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.
More Perfect Knowledge (more thorough, more complete)
Acts 23:20
20 And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly.
More Perfect (more thorough, more complete)
Acts 24:22
22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.
Perfect (full, complete, without flaw)
Romans 12:2
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Perfectly Joined (completely, flawlessly)
1 Corinthians 1:10
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Them That Are Perfect (without corruption, complete)
1 Corinthians 2:6
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
That Which Is Perfect Is Come (a heavenly perfection, a heavenly totality)
1 Corinthians 13:10
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Perfecting Holiness (completing, bring to an expected finish, holiness throughout without flaw)
2 Corinthians 7:1
1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Strength Made Perfect
2 Corinthians 12:9
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Paul Wished Their Perfection
2 Corinthians 13:9
9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
Be Perfect (completely restored, made whole)
2 Corinthians 13:11
11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Made Perfect By The Spirit
Galatians 3:3
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
For The Perfecting Of The Saints (put in Divine order)
Ephesians 4:12
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Come To Be A Perfect Man (i.e. a body of believers fully mature, full grown, rightly related to others)
Ephesians 4:13
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Either Already Perfect (resurrection perfection)
Philippians 3:12
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
As Many As Be Perfect (an expected and experiential perfection in the present)
Philippians 3:15
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Present Every Man Perfect (in the resurrection)
Colossians 1:28
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Love Is The Bond Of Perfectness (perfection, completion in this life)
Colossians 3:14
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Laboring In Prayer That You May Stand Perfect And Complete
Colossians 4:12
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
Praying To See And To Perfect What Is Lacking
1 Thessalonians 3:10
10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
Being Fully Convinced
1 Thessalonians 5:2
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
Ministry That Man Of God Be Perfect
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Go On To Perfection
Hebrews 6:1
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
The Sacrifice And Salvation Of Christ Provides A Perfection For Believers
Hebrews 7:11
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
Hebrews 7:19
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
Hebrews 9:9
9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
Hebrews 10:1
1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
Hebrews 10:14
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Hebrews 11:40
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
Hebrews 12:23
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Hebrews 13:20-21
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
That You May Be Perfect, Lacking Nothing
James 1:4
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
A Perfect Man
James 3:2
2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
God Will Make Us Perfect
1 Peter 5:8-10
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Love Is Perfected In Believers
1 John 2:5-6
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
1 John 4:11-13
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
1 John 4:15-18
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
