A common meaning of "perfect" in modern English is "without error" is an a perfect score on an exam.

This meaning, however, is not the meaning used in the Bible as, say, translated by the KJV (King James Version). The English word "perfect, without fault" is from the Middle English word "parfit" ≈ "perfect, complete" and is through French from the Latin word "perficere" ≈ "to finish". • This Latin word is from two Latin words.

• The Latin word "per" ≈ "through".
• The Latin word "facere" ≈ "to do, to make".
• The Spanish word "perfectos" ≈ "perfect".
• The French word "parfait" ≈ "perfect".

The original meaning of "perfect" is of being "complete" in some sense. Thus, to "perfect" a process is to complete that process, not that it is without error.

Many languages have verbs that have a "perfect" tense and an "imperfect" tense (and others).

• The "perfect tense" refers to an action that is "complete".
• The "imperfect tense" refers to an action that is "not complete".

English example:

• perfect: I have been, I have gone, I have seen, etc.
• imperfect: I was, I went, I saw, etc.

• The ancient Greek word "τέλειος" ≈ "complete".
• The modern Greek word "τέλειος" (TEH-lee-os) ≈ "perfect, complete".
• The modern Greek word "τελεία" (teh-LEE-a) ≈ "end" as in the period at the end of a sentence. In slang it can mean "great" (as in "what else could go wrong").

In the above verse, James wants the "completed" actions to be without error is in not needed anything more.

One has reached a "fixed point" when no more changes are necessary.

• The Old English word "fulfremed" ≈ "to perfect" as in to complete to and ending point.

The context is that of a rich man entering heaven from the question of the rich man and the requirement to be "good" as in "perfect".


The Greek word for "perfect" here does not mean without error (though it can mean that). It means "complete" as in "perfected". This may or may not mean the idea of being without error, blemish, etc.

This advice from Jesus to be "perfect" hearkens back to Matthew 5:48, a few verses after Matthew 5:20.

With the bar set at being "perfect", the disciples have the following obvious question.

Let us go back to the context of the previous verse for an interesting exchange of that rich young man with Jesus.


Note that the "Good" in "Good Master" is not in the Greek. Only the "good" as in "good thing" is in the Greek.

The "Good" in "Good Master" appears to be inferred from the next verse.

Note: There are some textual variants that do have the "good" in "good Master".

At the end of the verse is a high bar for passing the courses.

Notice the Old English Wessex Gospels that say "god is god" for "God is good". This similarity is part of the confusion between "Gospel" as the "good word" (from the Greek) and "God's word" where "spell" is a term for the word as in speaking.

More: Calque: The good news

Only God is "good". Jesus refers in other places to the "weak" or "sick" as "bad" as in "not good".

More: Matthew 9:12 The healthy make a strong case for evil sick time

One of the common misconceptions in the world and in many churches is that people or "good" and the "bad" is blamed on other factors. That does not appear to be what the Bible says (and in many places).

Details are left as a future topic.

It appears that one needs to make friends with the teacher, who is the adviser and dean, in order to pass. Is it possible to be friends with the teacher?

Jesus addresses this in John 15.

Notice the condition put on friendship with the teacher. In real life, students want to be friends with the teacher but expect an easy good grade without a lot of work.

One conclusion is that one needs to make friends with the teacher to put in a good word to the dean to pass the required courses. That friendship requires some sacrifice and hard word, not just study.

More: 2 Timothy 2:15 An urgent focused priority to do diligent study

If one cannot make the standards, then there might be another way to, in this world, get by. One can change the standards. That may not work in eternity, but there are those who might do so to get by in this world.

What about the high bar or low bar issue?

• What happens if everyone gets an A grade (or passes the course)?
• What happens if everyone gets an F grade (or fails the course)?

Does this ever happen in college courses? Why or why not?

Does this ever happen in church teachings? Why or why not?

This reminds on of the parable of the sheep and the goats. In Matthew 7, Jesus talks about the gates (e.g., gatekeeper courses) and the students wishing to graduate from their courses.

More: Matthew 25: 31-46 Parable of the sheep and goats