"an end attained, consummation; an end, closing act, Mt. 24:6, 14; 1 Cor. 15:24; full performance, perfect discharge, Rom. 10:4; fulfillment, realization, Lk. 22:37; final dealing, developed issue, Jas. 5:11; issue, final stage, 1 Cor. 10:11; issue, result, Mt. 26:58; Rom. 6:21, 2..."
Definition and meaning
an end attained, consummation; an end, closing act, Mt. 24:6, 14; 1 Cor. 15:24; full performance, perfect discharge, Rom. 10:4; fulfillment, realization, Lk. 22:37; final dealing, developed issue, Jas. 5:11; issue, final stage, 1 Cor. 10:11; issue, result, Mt. 26:58; Rom. 6:21, 22; 1 Pet. 1:9; antitypical issue, 2 Cor. 3:13; practical issue, 1 Tim. 1:5; ultimate destiny, Phil. 3:19; Heb. 6:8; 1 Pet. 4:17; a tax or dues, Mt. 17:25; Rom. 13:7; εἰς τέλος, to the full, 1 Thess. 2:16; εἰς τέλος, continually, Lk. 18:5; εἰς τέλος, μέχρι, ἄχρι τέλους, throughout, Mt. 10:22; Mk. 13:13; Jn. 13:1; Heb. 3:6, 14; 6:11; Rev. 2:26
In the original Greek the word is written: τέλος
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
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 telos (G5056) across the King James Bible.
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.
And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
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Common questions
Strong's G5056 (telos) is a Greek word that means: an end attained, consummation; an end, closing act, Mt. 24:6, 14; 1 Cor. 15:24; full performance, perfect discharge, Rom. 10:4; fulfillment, realization, Lk. 22:37; final dealing, developed issue, Jas... It appears 40 times in the King James Bible.
The word telos (G5056) appears 40 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5056 is telos, a Greek word defined as: an end attained, consummation; an end, closing act, Mt. 24:6, 14; 1 Cor. 15:24; full performance, perfect discharge, Rom. 10:4; fulfillment, realizati. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
telos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.