A “Perfect” Definition

When Jesus encouraged us to be perfect, the Greek word he used for “perfect” was, “teleios” which means, 

“brought to its end, finished, wanting nothing necessary to completeness”, (see Strong’s Concordance – Blue Letter Bible ).

This definition alone is where we get the misconception of the definition of “perfect”. Many read this and believe that it means we have progressed to the point that we can no longer progress. They think it means we have already been resurrected and exalted and learned everything there is to learn about everything. But this misses the very point the Lord was making and what he was asking us to do by telling us to become perfect. Perfection has been misunderstood in this way for centuries but it is not the meaning that is used in this chapter and what the Lord was admonishing us to do or be.

What does it really mean? The meaning has always been there, hiding right before our eyes in plain sight. Jesus told us exactly what makes God perfect, just before he instructed us to be perfect like God. He said,

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” – Matt. 5:43-48

In verse 48 above, the word, “therefore” means,

a : for that reason : consequently

b : because of that

– Merriam-Webster Dictionary “therefore”

It ties the reasoning and the logic used previously to the conclusion being presented. Jesus is saying, ‘here’s what God does, and here’s what a wicked man does, be ye therefore like God.’ But Jesus adds in the word, “perfect” several times which then tells us not just that we should be like God, but that we should be perfect in the same way that God is perfect.

God is perfect because He makes his sun to rise on the evil as well as the good, and He sends his rain on the just and the unjust. In other words, what makes God perfect is that he loves his enemy as well as His friends.

“Treat all men equally whether they are your friends or your enemies. For what good have you done if you only do good to those that love you? Even the wicked do this.

But if you do good to the least among you, who neither deserve your goodness nor are able to repay your kindness, then verily I say unto you that you have become as our Father which is in heaven. Yes, you have learned to live in that heavenly society where peace and plenty abound. You have truly become one with God and man.” – Jesus Christ

If we love our neighbor, (both friend and enemy), as ourselves, then we have become perfect, just as Jesus said God is perfect.

This was the true message of the Good Samaritan who cared for his enemy as if he were his friend. Becoming Perfect is about being so just and having so much charity that you treat your enemy with as much love as you treat your friends. Like God, you stop being a respecter of persons. (see Acts 10:34, D&C 1:35, 38:16)