Bible Discussion Thread

Your explanation that states "We obviously can't achieve perfection in this life but we can strive for these characteristics."

(Reference: 2 Corinthians 13:11) is not what I understand to be the case. According to the following references, man can be perfect; not in his own strength but in Jesus Christ: Deut 18:13, 1Kngs 8:61, Job 1:1 & 2:3, Ps 37:37 & 138:8. Prv 2:21 & 11:5, Lk 6:40, Jhn 17:23, Eph 4:13, Col 1:28 and Jas 3:2

Perhaps my understanding is lacking.

Hi EH. Not sure who you're replying to, but my only suggestion is that the word "perfect" in the references you've given doesn't speak of one without sin or a standing before God & man without fault, but it has other applications. Without examining each verse, my cursory search for the Hebrew word for those OT references is the root word, 'tamam' - & this implies a completeness or soundness. In that sense, one can be perfect as having no one who can find fault, but it's another matter of our standing before God in regards to our sinful state. Job might have been "perfect & upright" as a righteous man, but none can claim that he was without sin.

Likewise, in the NT, the Greek word, has its root in 'telos', meaning 'having reached full growth, complete in all parts, especially of Christian character, maturity'. And again, this word doesn't imply one can reach a state of of sinless perfection in this life, but one can grow towards completion or maturity as the Spirit gains greater control of the believer.

So maybe the one who made that statement you quoted, was writing specifically of not being able to reach the place of no sin within our members (as we're all sinners until we are changed, shedding this sinful flesh to receive our glorified bodies). But we can all attain perfection by allowing the Spirit to work in us to make us more like our Saviour.