what Paul meant by “
perfect” in
1 Corinthians 13.10. To better understand his meaning we need to examine how Paul used the word elsewhere. Paul used the word 8 times (10x if we include Hebrews). The translated word is followed by [τέλειος] in the table.
Paul’s Usage of τέλειος VerseAnd do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [τέλειος].
Romans 12.2Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature [τέλειος]; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away;
1 Corinthians 2.6but when the perfect [τέλειος] comes, the partial will be done away.
1 Corinthians 13.10Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature [τέλειος].
1 Corinthians 14.20until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature [τέλειος] man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 4.13Let us therefore, as many as are perfect [τέλειος], have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;
Philippians 3.15We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete [τέλειος] in Christ.
Colossians 1.28Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect [τέλειος] and fully assured in all the will of God.
Colossians 4.12But solid food is for the mature [τέλειος], who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
Hebrews 5.14But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect [τέλειος] tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation;
Hebrews 9.11
An examination of these passages reveals that Paul’s preferred meaning for τέλειος was “mature” rather than “perfect” as in perfection.
