In our quest to behave in a righteous manner in the assembly of God, we must reteach ourselves the true meanings of certain terms we believe we already know. As cultures change, so do the accepted meanings of terms. Scripture was written into the English language as early as 1611 AD. It was in the Old British language of its day. Today, we have changed definitions of many terms from the Old British. It behooves us to return to the original meanings to identify why it was translated such and what the meanings were at the time of translation.
A Strong’s Lexicon has been written translating the Hebrew and Greek languages into English; typically the Old British English. To know the meanings of the terms used, a usage in Biblical definitions is provided.
We are studying the greatest gift God has given unto mankind–Charity–an active form of Love. We learn its meaning for our righteous behavior in the assembly of God in the thirteenth chapter of the first letter Apostle Paul wrote to Corinth.
However, we come across additional terms we often mistaken for their true Greek meanings translated into Biblical terms. One is ‘Perfect’.
The definition found on dictionary.com is:
matching in every detail the definition of an ideal type of something:
excellent or complete beyond practical or theoretical improvement:
exactly fitting the need in a certain situation or for a certain purpose:
entirely without any flaws, defects, or shortcomings:
accurate, exact, or correct in every detail:
thorough or complete; absolute; utter:
expert; accomplished; proficient:
pure or unmixed:
I remembered perfect to mean unblemished; without flaw. Nothing in this world is exactly without flaw or blemish.
None of these definitions depict the true meaning of the Greek term used in the Bible. What is the Bible usage definition? We look to a Biblical terms dictionary–Strong’s Lexicon.
We find both Hebrew and Greek languages defined; Hebrew for the Old Testament and Greek for the New Testament. These were the original languages spoken and written in their time. Let us discover the usage meanings in both Hebrew and Greek. First, Hebrew–Old Testament usage.
I hope you have your Bibles handy as we begin to look at many passages to see the usage of the term ‘Perfect’. ‘Perfect’ is listed with a number to identify each individual usage translation. The Hebrew and Greek languages each used predominantly one term per definition; unlike the English language.
The Hebrew is H8549–’Perfect’: sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity: 1 of God's way and 2 elsewhere of man’s ways. Let us look at a set of passages of scripture and how the term is used.
Gen. 6:9. 9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. Noah was innocent, having integrity of God’s Way.
Gen. 17:1. 17 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. Abraham was called to be filled with the integrity of God’s Way–be thou perfect.
Deut. 18:13. 13 Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God. God’s rule for his children was to be filled with the integrity of God–walk in his Ways.
Often “perfect’ is used with the term ‘way’
Ps. 101:2. 2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. King David desired to imitate the manner of God in his everyday life: sound, wholesome, innocent.
Ez. 18:25. 25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? The ‘way’ of God is the integrity of God; it is his sovereign right to choose what is acceptable. God is ‘perfect’; his way is perfect.
Prov. 11:20. 20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord: but such as are upright in their way are his delight. Those ‘upright in their way’ are filled with the integrity and mannerisms of God. They are perfect.
Ps. 119:1-4. 119 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. 2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. 3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. 4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. Those who walk with God are ‘perfect’.
Secondly let us see the Greek usage for Perfect.
G5046, perfect
that which is perfect: consummate human integrity and virtue–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. That is the unblemished sovereign desire of God for mankind.
the perfect state of all things, (some believe to be ushered in by the return of Christ from heaven), 1 Cor. 13:10. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. We will come back to this passage and put it into the context where it is written in a moment. Perhaps the meaning of ‘that which is perfect’ means something other than what we have been told or believe it to be.
of men, full-grown, adult; of full age, mature–Heb. 5:14. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. A variant of the usage for ‘perfect’--Mature. It depicts maturity of mind and mannerisms.
until we rise to the same level of knowledge which we ascribe to a full-grown man, until we can be likened to a full-grown man, Ephesians 4:11-15. 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 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: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Using this as opposed to having the same level of knowledge of a full grown man: 1 Cor. 14:20. 20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. We are to become wise–knowledgeable of life’s ways as one matures in wisdom.
the perfect, i. e. the more intelligent, ready to apprehend divine things, 1 Corinthians 2:6; marginal reading full-grown. 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: Those ’perfect’ can comprehend more mature subjects–in this case spiritual knowledge and wisdom.
Opposed to being full-grown–Mature: 1 Cor. 3:1. 3 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
of mind and character, one who has reached the proper height of virtue and integrity: Matthew 5:48; 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Phil. 3:13-16. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 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. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
James 1:4. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
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.
Therefore, the term ‘perfect’ is speaking of one who is whole, complete, filled with integrity and with righteous virtue, full grown, adult–of full age–MATURE.
Let us look back at 1 Cor. 13:10. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. We see it referred to an adult, full-grown, filled with virtue and integrity of God. This is referring to one mature in knowledge, wisdom and virtue of the Will–’way’--of God. They understand the mystery of Spiritual things of God.
NOTICE THE EXAMPLES: Apostle Paul immediately gives two examples to explain his meaning of ‘perfect’.
#1. 1 Cor. 13:11. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. When a person becomes full-grown, mature in knowledge and wisdom of spiritual matters, the childish understanding goes away.
#2. ! Cor. 13:12. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. What we understand is cloudy compared to the whole truth of the Spirit nature of God’s realm. When we become more knowledgeable of Godliness, we “then” shall know even as we are known by God.
These examples are depicting a mature individual who can rightly divide the word of truth–a mature in the faith (or very near to) righteous person. (One who has reached the proper height of virtue and integrity) It becomes only by the Grace of God we are ‘perfect’ in our definition. However, our only judge is God. It is unto him we are judged as ‘Perfect’.
Why were these examples written? To explain in common language and understanding for the everyday individual, and the meaning of ‘perfect’.
Let us put it into context: 1 Cor. 13:8. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. Some of these gifts from God would fail, cease and vanish away.
Prophecies fail–certain people would not receive a prophetic dialog directly from the Holy Spirit. Satan would cause deception. Men would use the knowledge of God for personal will instead of in Charity. We call that man’s doctrine.
Tongues (languages) will cease–a common language will appear which most will understand. Interpreters will no longer be needed. We see the English language more prominent today. In the time of Jesus, Latin was the most common language.
Knowledge of God will vanish away. We can see this happening with so much evil in the world where people do not wish to assemble in Godly righteous assemblies. Therefore, knowledge of God is not readily known by the majority of the population.
! Cor. 13:9. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. At the time Paul wrote to Corinth, the young congregation only knew a portion of the spiritual mystery. Their understanding was developing. Young converts today develop in the same manner. They were not yet ‘Perfect’.
Do you know the song whose lyrics say, ‘We will understand it better by and by’? The assembly at Corinth did not have the perfect knowledge of God at that time. However, in time, the knowledge would come to mankind. Through the gifts God gives unto righteous mankind, we obtain the knowledge and wisdom of Spiritual things. Each man must apply themselves to learning of the righteousness of God. Peter said, 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 2 Peter 2:5-7.
Did you notice it ends with ‘Charity’?--the greatest gift from God? Even Peter understood the necessity of maturity–becoming ‘Perfect’ in virtue and integrity of the nature of God–A Spirit.
1 Cor. 13:13. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
