Original Word: τελειότης
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: teleiotés
Pronunciation: te-lei-OT-es
Phonetic Spelling: (tel-i-ot'-ace)
KJV: perfection(-ness)
NASB: maturity, perfect
Word Origin: [from G5046 (τέλειος - perfect)]

1. (the state) completeness (mentally or morally)

perfection

From teleios; (the state) completeness (mentally or morally) -- perfection(-ness).

see GREEK teleios

Cognate: 5047 teleiótēs (a feminine noun) – completion (consummation), in its cumulative sense, i.e. built on what has to precede and also supports the stage that must come next. See 5056 (telos).

5047 /teleiótēs ("consummation") particularly then suggests the combination of truths (stages of spiritual growth), the culmination of which also supports future consummation.

[The other feminine noun from the same root, 5050 (teleíōsis), focuses on the end-stage (fulfillment).]

Word Origin
from teleios
Definition
completeness, perfection
NASB Translation
maturity (1), perfect (1).

STRONGS NT 5047: τελειότης

τελειότης, τελειότητος, ἡ (τέλειος, which see), perfection;

a. i. e. the state of the more intelligent: Hebrews 6:1 (here R. V. marginal reading full growth).

b. perfection: (τῆς ἀγάπης, Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 50, 1 [ET] (where see Harnack)); absolutely, moral and spiritual perfection, Colossians 3:14 (A. V., perfectness), on which passage, see σύνδεσμος, 1. (Proverbs 11:3, Alex.; Judges 9:16, 19; Wis. 6:16 Wis. 12:17; Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 53, 5 [ET]; Plato, deff., p. 412 b. d.; (Aristotle, phys. 3, 6, p. 207a, 21; 8, 7 p. 261{a}, 36); Antoninus 5, 15.) (Cf. references under the word τέλειος, and B. Hartung, Der Begriff der τελειότης im N. T. (4to. Leipz. 1881).)

Overview of the Term

Teleiotes, translated “perfection” or “maturity,” conveys the state of reaching God-intended completeness. In both of its New Testament occurrences the word functions as a climactic target for believers, calling them beyond initial stages of faith to Spirit-formed wholeness that mirrors the character of Christ.

Biblical Usage

1. Hebrews 6:1

“Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to perfection…”.

2. Colossians 3:14

“And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.” (The phrase “bond of perfect unity” translates teleiotes.)

Progressive Maturity in Hebrews 6:1

• Audience: Jewish Christians tempted to regress into ritualistic religion.
• Contrast: “Elementary teachings” versus “perfection.” The author exhorts movement from foundational doctrines (repentance, faith, washings, laying on of hands, resurrection, eternal judgment) to a robust, full-orbed discipleship.
• Implication: Spiritual growth is not optional; abandoning infancy is a mark of genuine perseverance (Hebrews 6:4-6 warns of the peril of stagnation).

Bond of Perfectness in Colossians 3:14

• Context: Practical holiness flowing from the believer’s new identity “hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).
• Love: Named “the bond of perfection,” love binds every other virtue into a coherent whole, guarding unity in the church.
• Emphasis: Christian maturity is communal; perfection manifests in relational harmony anchored in sacrificial love (see John 13:35).

Relation to Old Testament Patterns

• Covenant Completeness: Teleiotes echoes the Hebrew idea of tamim (“blameless,” “whole”) used of sacrificial animals (Exodus 12:5) and of Abraham’s walk before God (Genesis 17:1).
• Priestly Imagery: The Septuagint employs cognate terms for consecrating priests (Exodus 29:9); Hebrews later depicts Jesus as the perfect High Priest, providing the ground for believers’ own perfection (Hebrews 7:11, 7:28).

Christological Dimension

• Christ as Goal: Teleiotes is unattainable apart from union with the One who is Himself “perfect” (Hebrews 7:28).
• Sanctification Process: The Spirit conforms believers to Christ’s image (Romans 8:29), moving them toward the teleiotes described in Colossians and Hebrews.

Historical Church Interpretation

• Patristic Voices: Irenaeus linked perfection to recapitulation in Christ; Athanasius emphasized moral likeness to the Lord.
• Reformation Writers: Calvin defined perfection not as sinless attainment in this life but as sincere striving empowered by grace, combating both legalism and laxity.
• Wesleyan Tradition: Spoke of “Christian perfection” as pure love reigning in the heart—a direct reflection on Colossians 3:14.

Pastoral and Ministry Application

• Discipleship Pathways

– Catechesis must progress from basic gospel truths to robust doctrinal and ethical formation.

– Mentoring relationships help believers “press on” (Philippians 3:12-14, cognate verb) toward maturity.

• Church Unity

– Love as the bond of perfection calls leaders to cultivate an atmosphere where doctrinal fidelity and relational grace coexist.

– Conflict resolution anchored in Colossians 3:14 safeguards the witness of the body of Christ.

• Holiness and Assurance

– Growth toward teleiotes provides evidence of genuine faith (2 Peter 1:5-10).

– Regular self-examination coupled with reliance on God’s promises sustains perseverance.

Related Concepts

• Teleios (Strong’s 5046): “perfect, mature.”
• Teleioo (Strong’s 5048): “to complete, to perfect.”
• Hagiamos: “sanctification,” the process overlapping with growth toward perfection.

Summary

Teleiotes encapsulates the New Testament call to God-ordained wholeness: an ever-deepening grasp of truth, an ever-expanding practice of love, and an ever-closer conformity to the character of Christ. Grounded in the finished work of the Savior and animated by the Holy Spirit, believers move from infancy to maturity, from fragmentation to unity, anticipating the day when perfection will be fully realized in glory (1 John 3:2).

τελειότης τελειοτητα τελειότητα τελειότητι τελειοτητος τελειότητος teleioteta teleiotēta teleióteta teleiótēta teleiotetos teleiotētos teleiótetos teleiótētosInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts