Perfection, human

Human wholeness in the image of God, given at creation and lost in the fall, is to be fully restored in Jesus Christ.

Humanity was created perfect

Genesis 1:26–27 See also Genesis 5:1; Ezekiel 28:12–15 The king of Tyre is described in terms of the creation and fall of humanity; James 3:9

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Perfection was lost through sin

Romans 3:23 See also Genesis 2:17, Genesis 3:16–19, Genesis 3:23; Job 15:14–16; Ezekiel 28:15–17; Romans 1:21

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

The need for moral perfection

Deuteronomy 18:13 See also Genesis 17:1; Job 25:4; Psalm 24:3–4

You must be blameless before the LORD your God.

Human inability to keep God's law perfectly

Hebrews 7:19 See also Hebrews 7:11, Hebrews 10:1

( for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

Perfection and redemption

God's purpose for believers

Colossians 1:22 See also Daniel 11:35, Daniel 12:10; Ephesians 5:27 God's purpose for the church; Hebrews 10:14, Hebrews 11:40, Hebrews 12:23; James 1:4; Jude 1:24

But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence —

The aim of Christian ministry

Colossians 1:28 See also 2 Corinthians 11:2

We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

The aim of the Christian

Philippians 3:12 See also 2 Corinthians 13:9–11; Ephesians 4:13; Hebrews 6:1; James 1:4

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Characteristics of perfection

Perfect love

Matthew 5:48 Jesus Christ patterning his disciples' love on the love God has for all people. See also 1 John 4:12, 1 John 4:18

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.[’’]

Perfect holiness

2 Corinthians 7:1 See also Philippians 1:10, Philippians 2:15; James 1:27; 2 Peter 3:14

Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

I in them and You in Me — that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me.

Perfect joy

John 15:11 See also John 3:29, John 16:24; 1 John 1:4; 2 John 1:12

I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.

Perfect peace

Isaiah 26:3 See also Psalm 119:165; Philippians 4:7

You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You.

Perfect knowledge

1 Corinthians 13:9–12 See also Romans 15:14 Although complete knowledge is inaccessible here and now, believers have all they need to live the Christian life; Colossians 2:2

For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial passes away. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside childish ways. Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Perfection in describing human physical beauty

2 Samuel 14:25–27; Song of Solomon 4:7, Song of Solomon 5:2, Song of Solomon 6:9

False claims to perfection

Job 36:4; Psalm 64:6, Psalm 119:96; Ezekiel 27:3–4; Philippians 3:6