Lexical Summary teleiósis: Completion, Perfection, Fulfillment Original Word: τελείωσις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance perfection From phusioo; (the act) completion, i.e. (of prophecy) verification, or (of expiation) absolution -- perfection, performance. see GREEK phusioo HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 5050 teleíōsis (a feminine noun) – a brand of consummation (completion) which focuses on the final stage (fulfillment, end-phase) of the consummation process – see the correlating verb form (5048 /teleióō). See 5056 (telos). [See also 5047 (teleiotēs, another feminine noun from the same root) which stresses the combination of truth which sustains further consummation and 5054 (teleutḗ) – a third feminine noun derived from this root meaning "death (consummation) in relation to the Lord's sovereign control of life."] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom teleioó Definition completion, perfection NASB Translation fulfillment (1), perfection (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5050: τελείωσιςτελείωσις, τελειώσεως, ἡ (τελειόω), a completing, perfecting; a. fulfilment, accomplishment; the event which verifies a promise (see τελειόω, 4): Luke 1:45 (Judith 10:9; Philo de vit. Moys. iii. § 39). b. consummation, perfection (see τελειόω, 3): Hebrews 7:11. (In various senses in Aristotle, Theophrastus, Diodorus) (Cf. references under the word τελειόω, 3.) Topical Lexicon Core Idea of τελείωσιςThe word denotes the arrival at a designed goal—an end-state that fully matches God’s intention. It captures the moment when a purpose, promise, or process reaches its God-ordained completion. Throughout Scripture this idea is never abstract progress for its own sake; it is always completion in the sphere of God’s covenantal plan. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Luke 1:45 – Elizabeth blesses Mary because the word spoken from the Lord “will be fulfilled”. Here τελείωσις describes the certain completion of the promise of Messiah’s conception and birth. The context links it to prophetic fulfillment: what God declares, God completes. 2. Hebrews 7:11 – The writer argues that “perfection” was not attainable through the Levitical priesthood. τελείωσις exposes the insufficiency of the old order and prepares the reader for the superior priesthood of Jesus in the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:19; Hebrews 10:14). Salvation-Historical Significance The two uses bracket salvation history—from the promise of incarnation to the once-for-all priestly work of Christ. In Luke, the future completion of promise is celebrated before it happens; in Hebrews, the past lack of completion in the Law sets the stage for Christ’s accomplished work. Thus τελείωσις frames both anticipation and realization, showing continuity in God’s plan. Connection to the Priesthood of Christ Hebrews employs τελείωσις to highlight a critical transition: • The Levitical system could bring worshipers near ceremonially but never bring them into final, unbroken fellowship with God. Fulfillment of Prophetic Promise Luke 1:45 anchors τελείωσις in covenant fidelity. Elizabeth’s affirmation recalls Old Testament assurances such as Joshua 21:45 and Isaiah 55:11, where no divine word falls to the ground. In Mary’s case, τελείωσις will arrive through miraculous conception, underscoring that completion rests on divine power, not human capability (Luke 1:37). Historical and Cultural Background Jewish thought commonly used “perfection” (Hebrew tamim) for priestly fitness and sacrificial wholeness (Leviticus 22:21). Greek philosophical circles prized τέλειος for moral virtue or technical skill. Hebrews builds on the cultic sense: only a flawless priesthood could give flawless access. By applying τελείωσις to Christ, the author merges Jewish sacrificial categories with the ultimate, eschatological goal. Implications for Ministry and Discipleship 1. Certainty of God’s Promises: Believers can echo Mary’s faith, trusting that every word God speaks will reach τελείωσις. This fuels prayer, endurance, and evangelism. 2. Confidence in Christ’s Mediation: Since τελείωσις is secured in Jesus, the believer’s standing is not a shifting status but a completed reality, fostering assurance and joy in worship. 3. Call to Maturity: While τελείωσις describes an achieved state, Hebrews also urges growth toward that state (Hebrews 6:1). Past completion energizes present progress. Related Biblical Concepts • Teleioō (to perfect) – the ongoing action leading to τελείωσις. Key Points for Teaching and Preaching • Emphasize God’s faithfulness from promise to performance (Luke 1). Summary τελείωσις captures the Bible’s account line: God makes promises, God accomplishes promises, and in Christ those promises reach consummation. From Mary’s womb to the heavenly sanctuary, the term signals that everything God designs will, without fail, be brought to its destined completion. Forms and Transliterations τελειώσεσι τελειώσεως τελειώσεώς τελειωσις τελείωσις teleiosis teleiōsis teleíosis teleíōsisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 1:45 N-NFSGRK: ὅτι ἔσται τελείωσις τοῖς λελαλημένοις NAS: [is] she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken KJV: there shall be a performance of those things which were told INT: for there will be a fulfillment to the things spoken Hebrews 7:11 N-NFS |