Interestingly, the Gospel of Matthew is not the only place where the command to τέλειος shows up. In Matthew, the idea (in the Sermon on the Mount) would seem that since God is “perfect” (in the context, he shows love to everyone), those who are part of the Jesus movement should do likewise (Matt 5.48). This idea shows up again in Matt 19.21 with the rich young ruler.
The Didache also touches on the idea of perfection as the ideal for members of the community of faith. In Did. 6.2, we read:
εἰ μὲν γὰρ δύνασαι βαστάσαι ὅλον τὸν ζυγὸν τοῦ κυρίου, τέλειος ἔσῃ· εἰ δ᾿ οὐ δύνασαι, ὃ δύνῃ, τοῦτο ποίει.
“For if (on the one hand) you are able to bear the whole yoke of the Lord, you will be perfect (teleios). If (on the other hand) you are not able, whatever you are able, do this.”
Those who are able to keep the whole teaching of Jesus are considered to be “perfect,” (note the similarity with the Sermon on the Mount as the pith of Jesus’ teaching), but everyone else should just do their best. An interesting (and very early) perspective on a core teaching of Jesus’ teaching as Matthew has it.
Thoughts?
Nice work, Mike.
So, are you saying you agree with the Wesleyan view of perfection? Or better still, the Eastern Orthodox doctrine of theosis?
By: Rod on November 1, 2009
at 11:17 pm
No, Rodney, I’m afraid I don’t hold to either of those views. For Matthew, and the rest of early Christianity (that I know of), being “perfect” (τέλειος) meant being mature as evidenced by non-hypocritical care for others. Blameless perfectionism, for example, is not what he had in mind (IMO).
By: Michael on November 2, 2009
at 5:43 pm
I do not understand perfection that way, and neither does Wesley.
By: Rod on November 2, 2009
at 10:24 pm
How do you understand it?
By: Michael on November 3, 2009
at 11:52 am
Hey Mike,
sorry i have not been anywhere on the blogosphere lately.
But, here is a brief summary of how I understand perfection/theosis:
God is Spirit. God is Love. both stated in Scripture.
God pours out His love in our hearts, changes us, to conform to his Son, his beloved.
Now, the holiness tradition understood nowadays is seen as a group of persons who set up these rules to how to live perfect lives. But perfection is not about what you do, or what rules you follow.
Perfection/theosis, as I understand it, is about being conformed to God’s image, the person Jesus Christ. Perfection is not about managing sin (like many Protestants view sanctification), but about overcoming and being victorious over sin. If we have the love of God in our hearts, God helps us to overcome our weakness. That is how i understand perfection.
By: Rod on November 16, 2009
at 10:58 pm
Τέλειος means finished (as does the Latin root for “perfect,” perfectus. Understand it in that light.
By: Anna R on December 5, 2009
at 8:27 pm