"to execute fully, discharge, Jn. 4:34; 5:36; 17:4; to reach the end of, run through, finish, Lk. 2:43; Acts 20:24; to consummate, place in a condition of finality, Heb. 7:19; to perfect a person, advance a person to final completeness of character, Heb. 2:10; 5:9; 7:28; to perfec..."
Definition and meaning
to execute fully, discharge, Jn. 4:34; 5:36; 17:4; to reach the end of, run through, finish, Lk. 2:43; Acts 20:24; to consummate, place in a condition of finality, Heb. 7:19; to perfect a person, advance a person to final completeness of character, Heb. 2:10; 5:9; 7:28; to perfect a person, advance a person to a completeness of its kind, which needs no further provision, Heb. 9:9; 10:1, 14; pass. to receive fulfillment, Jn. 19:28; to be brought to the goal, to reach the end of one’s course, Lk. 13:32; Phil. 3:12; Heb. 11:40; 12:23; to be fully developed, 2 Cor. 12:9; Jas. 2:22; 1 Jn. 2:5; 4:12, 17; to be completely organized, to be closely embodied, Jn. 17:23
In the original Greek the word is written: τελειόω
Historical context
Luke wrote as a historian addressing a Greek audience. He carefully interviewed eyewitnesses and arranged events in order. The social and economic realities he describes — Roman taxation, Jewish religious hierarchy, the marginalization of women and the poor — are consistent with first-century Judea under Roman administration.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of teleioo (G5048) across the King James Bible.
And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon 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.
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Common questions
Strong's G5048 (teleioo) is a Greek word that means: to execute fully, discharge, Jn. 4:34; 5:36; 17:4; to reach the end of, run through, finish, Lk. 2:43; Acts 20:24; to consummate, place in a condition of finality, Heb. 7:19; to perfect a person, adva... It appears 24 times in the King James Bible.
The word teleioo (G5048) appears 24 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5048 is teleioo, a Greek word defined as: to execute fully, discharge, Jn. 4:34; 5:36; 17:4; to reach the end of, run through, finish, Lk. 2:43; Acts 20:24; to consummate, place in a condition. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
teleioo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.