derivatives of the root that gives us the word telos, `end'.  The idea of the

word `perfect' here, is not so much `improvement' as the taking anything to

its complete end.  The root Tel enters into a number of words that have been

brought over from the Greek, as Telescope, Telephone, Telegram and

Television.  In each case something at a distance is in view.  The idea of

`perfection' in Scripture is that of `running a race', of `finishing' a

course, of reaching an `end'.

Let us commence with this basic word telos.

`Whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the

rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end' (Heb. 3:6).

`For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our

confidence stedfast unto the end' (Heb. 3:14).

`And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the

full assurance of hope unto the end' (Heb. 6:11).

In Philippians the word telos occurs but once, and echoes the usage of

the word in Hebrews 6:8 :

`But that which beareth thorns and briars is rejected, and is nigh unto

cursing; whose end is to be burned'.

`Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is

in their shame, who mind earthly things' (Phil. 3:19).

We shall have to return to these two references presently, but at the

moment only seek to show that the word `perfect' has in view an end,

disregarding, for the present, what that end may be.

In Hebrews 5:14 we read that `strong meat belongeth to them that are of

full age' (teleios, `perfect'), `even those who by reason of use have their

senses exercised to discern both good and evil'.  The epistle to the

Philippians uses this same word when it says, `Let us, therefore, as many as

be perfect, be thus minded' (Phil. 3:15).

In Philippians 3:12 we have the one occurrence of teleioo in that

epistle: `Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect,

but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am

apprehended of Christ Jesus'.  This same word occurs nine times in Hebrews.

It is used of Christ Himself.  `To make the Captain of their

salvation perfect through sufferings' (Heb. 2:10).

`And being made perfect, He became the Author of eternal

salvation' (Heb. 5:9).

`The Son, Who is consecrated for evermore' (Heb. 7:28).

It is used of His finished work.  `For by one offering He hath

perfected for ever them that are sanctified' (Heb. 10:14).

It is used of the believer.  `That they without us should not be

made perfect' (Heb.  11:40).  `But ye are come unto mount Sion ... to

the spirits of just men made perfect' (Heb. 12:22 -23).

It is used of the Law which made no man perfect (Heb. 7:19; 9:9;