τελειότης
teleiótēs
G5047 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
State of being complete, brought to completion, or reaching a developed end; in personal or ethical contexts, the condition of full maturity, completeness in character, or achieved fulfillment. Used to denote a culmination or consummate state, especially in moral or spiritual growth, as opposed to simple flawlessness. In some contexts, may imply a goal-oriented process toward full development or maturity.
Semantic Range
completeness, maturity, state of being complete or finished, perfection (as full development), fulfillment of purpose (in ethical or personal senses), consummate character, full maturity
Root / Etymology
From the root τέλειος (complete, fully developed, mature), which itself is derived from τέλος (end, goal, aim). τελειότης is a feminine abstract noun formation indicating 'the state of being complete or mature.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, τελειότης is rare but understood as 'the state of completion or fulfillment.' In philosophical discourse, particularly in Stoic and Platonic usage, it describes the goal of reaching a perfected state — not always absolute flawlessness, but attainment of one's telos or intended purpose. In the Septuagint, it generally translates concepts related to wholeness, blamelessness, or uprightness. In the New Testament (Colossians 3:14; Hebrews 6:1), τελειότης refers to the full maturation of ethical or spiritual character, a developed or consummate state, contrasted with beginnings or immaturity (cf. τελειόω, 'to bring to completion'). English translations often render τελειότης as 'perfection,' but this does not always capture the dynamic and process-oriented nuance the term carried in Koine contexts — namely, that 'perfection' refers to wholeness, maturity, or the attainment of a designated goal, not necessarily absolute moral faultlessness. Distinct from related terms like πληρότης ('fullness') and ἀκεραιότης ('blamelessness'), though sometimes overlapping in practical usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from τέλειος; (the state) completeness (mentally or morally):--perfection(-ness).
Root Family
τελειότης (teleiotēs) — completeness, full maturity, fulfillment, consummation
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5047-02 |
τελειότητος | teleiotetos | N GEN F SG |
perfection | of full maturity | 1 |
G5047-01 |
τελειότητα | teleioteta | N ACC F SG |
full maturity | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5047-02 |
Colossians 3:14 | τελειότητος | teleiotetos | N GEN F SG |
perfection | of full maturity |
G5047-01 |
Hebrews 6:1 | τελειότητα | teleioteta | N ACC F SG |
full maturity |