Perfecting Holiness

by Pastor Mark
March 12, 2026

The concept of “perfecting”

Bethany’s Family Camp is only a few days away, and we are all excited to learn more about the theme, “Perfecting Holiness” (2 Corinthians 7:1). At the Pre-Camp Special last Saturday, we caught a glimpse of what we will be learning, especially about the concept of “perfecting”. We tend to assume we understand what perfecting is. It was wonderful to discover this concept more deeply, especially through the teachings of the Lord Jesus and the Apostle Paul. There are different aspects to the concept of perfecting. Through a study of the different words used, especially in Greek, we gained a deeper comprehension and appreciation.

Aspects of perfecting

1. Be perfect

“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

  1. The Greek word used here is “telos”, which means “end, perfect”.
  2. It is the same Greek word used for “perfecting holiness” (2 Corinthians 7:1).
  3. The Lord Jesus taught His disciples to be perfect as their Father in heaven is perfect.
  4. It seems like what the Lord Jesus is asking is impossible…to be “perfect”.
  5. However, there is a need to know this concept and comprehend it biblically, as we consider other words associated with this idea of perfecting.

2. Perfectly trained

“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:40)

  1. The Lord Jesus taught about how a disciple is to be “perfectly trained”.
  2. The Greek word is “katartizo”…to be perfectly trained in order to become perfect.
  3. There is a process in being perfected…to grow from a child to an adult and reach the telos/end stage.
  4. Everyone must go through this process in order to become perfect and mature.
  5. As we cannot do this on our own, let us be challenged to be perfectly trained.

3. Mending

“When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets.” (Mark 1:19)

  1. The word “kartartizo” can also be translated as “mending”.
  2. Part of the process of perfecting is the idea of mending.
  3. As nets with holes need to be repaired, so too do the problems in our lives.
  4. If our lives remain broken, we cannot be useful to the Lord.

4. Complete

“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;” (Philippines 1:6)

  1. The Apostle Paul used this word “telos” concerning God’s work in our lives.
  2. As He has begun a good work in our lives through our salvation, He will continue to do so.
  3. God will “complete” His work when Christ returns for us one day.
  4. This is when we will become truly perfect and complete.

These are some aspects of the concept of perfecting that we need to comprehend. Let us be challenged to perfect holiness in our lives and become more like our heavenly Father.

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