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Answer
The concept of perfection in the Bible refers to a state of completeness or absolute wholeness. Biblical perfection entails being free from fault, defect, or shortcoming. In the New Testament, a Greek term for “perfection” can also signify “maturity.” The Bible discusses perfection in at least three distinct contexts: the perfection of God, the perfection of Christ, and the perfection of humans.
Absolute perfection is a characteristic exclusive to God. However, only in Matthew 5:48 does the Bible explicitly declare that God is inherently perfect: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Since God is the epitome of perfection, everything He does is flawless: “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he” « He is the Rock, his work is perfect: For all his ways are judgment: A God of truth and without iniquity, Just and right is he. », (Deuteronomy 32:4). His knowledge is perfect «Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, The wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge? », (Job 37:16). His way is perfect, and His Word is flawless: “As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him” « As for God, his way is perfect: The word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in him. », (Psalm 18:30). God’s laws are also perfect (Psalm 19:7;James 1:25). The apostle Paul describes God’s will as perfect: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will
Be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will” «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.», (Romans 12:2).
In Hebrews 2:10, Scripture says that Jesus was made perfect through suffering: “God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that He should make Jesus, through His suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation” (NLT).
As God incarnate, Jesus was already morally perfect. Christ’s suffering and death made Him “perfect” in the sense of qualifying to serve as the faultless high priest for God’s people «For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated forevermore.», (Hebrews 7:28). Only through suffering on the cross was Christ able to accomplish the work of redemption and become the perfect, complete, effective Savior of His people «and being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him;», (Hebrews 5:9). Jesus was the perfect example of what it means to live in obedience to the Father’s will.
As we read in Matthew 5:48, God’s children are called to be perfect. This does not mean that humans can obtain the same holy perfection as God, for He alone is set apart in holiness (Isaiah 6:3; Psalm 99:9; Exodus 15:11). The call to be perfect is what the apostle Paul meant when he said, “Be imitators of God, as beloved children” «Be ye thereFor followers of God, as beloved children; », (Ephesians 5:1, ESV). Just as children imitate their parents, God’s children should emulate their Lord and demonstrate His perfection in their lifestyle.
The concept of spiritual maturity is closely linked to the term perfection in the Bible. Humans are inherently imperfect, but Christ’s followers are urged to pursue perfection: “And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” «But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. », (James 1:4, ESV). Paul acknowledged that he had not yet attained perfection but aimed for it: “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me” «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. », (Philippians 3:12, NLT). Paul understood that perfection for believers would only be fully realized in the future life (verses 13–21).
Perfection is a blessing bestowed upon humans through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ: “For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time. Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. For by that one offer
Hebrews 10:10-14 (NLT) states, “For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.”
Another crucial verse in understanding perfection in the Christian life is 2 Corinthians 12:9: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” Through the grace offered by God in Jesus Christ, Christians are perfected in weakness; by sharing in the sufferings of Jesus Christ, they are transformed to His likeness (Matthew 5:10-12; 1 Peter 2:19-25; 3:14; 4:12-19).
