There are several Greek words translated “perfect” in the New Testament, but the most commonly used one, teleios, when applied to people, does not even mean flawless in every way, as we might expect, but means complete, full age, mature (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, Strong’s no 5046). Most people would agree that once we become Christians, there is a process of maturing. So we can be mature in some ways but not in others, and at different levels of maturity. In most English Bibles, e.g. the KJV, the words “maturing”, “maturation” and “mature” are not used, instead, the words “perfecting” and “perfect” are used instead. In Scripture there is clearly a process of perfecting (i.e. maturing), which we discuss below.
Jesus commands us to be perfect (Mt 5:48). Note that, as we have already stated, this means mature. The fact that Jesus commands us to be perfect implies we may not already be perfect (mature), but we are moving towards perfection, and there is something we need to do to be perfect (although, of course, only Jesus in us can enable us to do this). As we have said, some people may achieve such maturity in some areas but not others, and some may reach maturity while others aren’t yet mature.
In Philippians 3, Paul says that he has not already attained or is already perfect (v12), and he says “I count not myself to have apprehended”, and says “reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (v13-14). A literal translation of verse 15 is “Let us therefore, as many as would be perfect, be thus minded…..” Verse 16 says “Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.” We really don’t need to interpret these verses in terms of martyrdom being the “high calling” as some people do – we do not think that is the correct understanding of these verses. The “prize” is also mentioned in 1 Cor. 9:24 and is incorruptible, which is clearly our reward in heaven, not martyrdom. If we simply understand that this perfection means maturity, Phil 3:12 makes complete sense.
In Rom 8:26 Paul says that “the Spirit helpeth our infirmities. For we know not what we should pray for as we ought…” Again this indicates that we are not instantly made perfect (mature) at conversion.
In 1 Th 3:10, Paul talks about “praying exceedingly that we might… perfect that which is lacking in your faith” – why would Paul say this if their faith were already perfect? It would make no sense at all! In Col 1:27-28, Paul talks about the “riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” Again there are things to be done before we are presented as perfect (mature). A literal translation of Eph 5:18 is that we are to continually keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit – it is an ongoing process or perfecting (maturing). We need more of the Holy Spirit as we grow in our walk with the Lord.
The five ministries of Eph 4:11 are “for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry”. The Bible does not say saints are perfected for ministry at conversion. No, there is a maturing process, which is facilitated by God-given ministries. All the way through the New Testament there is this process of perfecting (maturing) referred to, and there is no reference to us being made perfect (mature) as soon as we are saved.
However there is one verse about perfection which many grace preachers will pick on, ignoring all the others, and this is Hebrews 10:14. We intend to discuss this in a later version of this article. In the meantime, please read the following website: http://preceptaustin.org/hebrews_1014.htm
Some people also teach that the soul is made perfect as soon as we get saved, yet Paul makes it very clear that being soulish is not even a good thing. In a similar way to Rom 12:1 discussing the mind being renewed (the mind is part of the soul), 1 Pet 1:22 talks about us purifying our souls. 1 Pet 2:11 shows the vulnerability of the soul to fleshly lusts which war against it and that we are to abstain from these lusts. This shows that the soul is clearly not always perfect after we get saved. No such purification of the spirit, or vulnerability of the spirit to fleshly lusts is even hinted at in Scripture, as our spirits are made alive and are filled with the Holy Spirit at conversion or soon afterwards.
Throughout scripture there are warnings that we are not to give in to temptation, and there are commands to be perfect and processes are described to enable us to be perfected. We are justified, made righteous and holy, sanctified and set free from sin at salvation, but there is nothing in scripture that says we are made perfect (mature) as soon as we get saved. To say otherwise could lull people into a false sense of security and lead them away from growing and maturing in Christ and in fact lead them away from perfection (maturity). Also, the baptism or filling with the Holy Spirit can occur several times after salvation (refer to Acts 2:4, 4:31, 13:52, 19:1-7). A great article that explains the biblical truth on perfection in more detail is by Mike Bickle.