τέλειος
téleios
G5046 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Primarily, having attained completion, maturity, or a state of wholeness in a particular respect. In various contexts, it describes that which is fully developed according to its nature, function, or intended purpose. In reference to persons, it often signifies moral or ethical maturity or completeness. In non-personal contexts, it can denote that which is finished, complete, or flawless in quality or extent. When used in a noun form (τὸ τέλειον), it refers to a state of completeness or maturity.
Semantic Range
whole, complete, mature, fully developed, perfect (in the sense of finished or fulfilled), of full age, blameless, in accordance with purpose or nature
Root / Etymology
From the root τέλος (end, goal, purpose), with the adjectival suffix -ιος indicating 'pertaining to' or 'possessing the quality of.' Thus, τέλειος means 'pertaining to a goal or end;' metonymically, 'having reached the goal/end, perfected.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, τέλειος describes something (a thing, a person, or a process) that has reached its τέλος ('end' in the sense of 'goal' or 'completion'), and so is complete, mature, or perfect in its kind. This sense persists in Hellenistic and Koine Greek, where it can refer to physical completion (e.g., an adult who has come of age), intellectual maturity, or moral/ethical wholeness. In philosophical contexts such as Aristotle, τέλειος is contrasted with incomplete (ἀτελής), marking that which fully possesses its nature. In the Septuagint, it frequently translates Hebrew terms like תָּמִים (tamim, 'blameless, whole') and שָׁלֵם (shalem, 'complete, undivided'), accentuating moral integrity or unblemished wholeness (e.g., Genesis 6:9, Job 1:1). In the New Testament, its nuance can range from 'mature' (as opposed to 'childish' or 'immature,' 1 Corinthians 14:20; Ephesians 4:13) to ethically 'complete' (Matthew 5:48; James 1:4). English translations as 'perfect' may mislead by suggesting absolute flawlessness in a modern sense; in ancient contexts, it more commonly indicates reaching maturity or the fulfillment of intended qualities. Related nouns, e.g., τελειότης (completeness, maturity), and contrasts, e.g., νηπιος (infant, immature), provide further semantic context.
Translation Consistency
Most natural and frequent rendering in the P2 data and SILEX range; it covers finished/whole/fulfilled senses (including maturity and moral completeness) without the theological baggage of “perfect.” It reads naturally in adjectival and substantive uses and preserves the typical sense across contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from τέλος; complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with ὁ) completeness:--of full age, man, perfect.
Root Family
τελ- (téleios) — to end, to complete, to accomplish
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5046-04 |
τέλειον | teleion | ADJ.S NOM N SG |
perfect | the complete state | the complete state | 8 |
G5046-02 |
τέλειοι | teleioi | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
mature | mature ones | the ones who are complete | 5 |
G5046-05 |
τέλειός | teleios | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
perfect | complete | is complete | 3 |
G5046-01 |
τελεία | teleia | ADJ.A NOM F SG |
perfect | complete (feminine singular) | complete | 1 |
G5046-03 |
τελείοις | teleiois | ADJ.S DAT M PL |
mature | to the mature ones | mature ones | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
18 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5046-02 |
Matthew 5:48 | τέλειοι | teleioi | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
perfect | mature ones | the ones who are complete |
G5046-05 |
Matthew 5:48 | τέλειός | teleios | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
perfect | complete | is complete |
G5046-05 |
Matthew 19:21 | τέλειος | teleios | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
perfect | complete | is complete |
G5046-04 |
Romans 12:2 | τέλειον | teleion | ADJ.S NOM N SG |
perfect | the complete state | the complete state |
G5046-03 |
1 Corinthians 2:6 | τελείοις | teleiois | ADJ.S DAT M PL |
mature | to the mature ones | mature ones |
G5046-04 |
1 Corinthians 13:10 | τέλειον | teleion | ADJ.S NOM N SG |
perfect | the complete state | the complete state |
G5046-02 |
1 Corinthians 14:20 | τέλειοι | teleioi | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
mature | mature ones | the ones who are complete |
G5046-04 |
Ephesians 4:13 | τέλειον | teleion | ADJ.A ACC M SG |
mature | the complete state | the complete state |
G5046-02 |
Philippians 3:15 | τέλειοι | teleioi | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
are perfect | mature ones | the ones who are complete |
G5046-04 |
Colossians 1:28 | τέλειον | teleion | ADJ.S ACC M SG |
complete | the complete state | the complete state |
G5046-02 |
Colossians 4:12 | τέλειοι | teleioi | ADJ.S NOM M PL |
mature | mature ones | the ones who are complete |
G5046-04 |
Hebrews 5:14 | τελείων | teleion | ADJ.S GEN M PL |
of the mature | the complete state | the complete state |
G5046-04 |
James 1:4 | τέλειον | teleion | ADJ.A ACC N SG |
perfect | the complete state | the complete state |
G5046-02 |
James 1:4 | τέλειοι | teleioi | ADJ.S NOM M PL |
perfect | mature ones | the ones who are complete |
G5046-04 |
James 1:17 | τέλειον | teleion | ADJ.A NOM N SG |
perfect | the complete state | the complete state |
G5046-04 |
James 1:25 | τέλειον | teleion | ADJ.A ACC M SG |
perfect | the complete state | the complete state |
G5046-05 |
James 3:2 | τέλειος | teleios | ADJ.A NOM M SG |
perfect | complete | is complete |
G5046-01 |
1 John 4:18 | τελεία | teleia | ADJ.A NOM F SG |
perfect | complete (feminine singular) | complete |