The Sermon on the Mount
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48 · Berean Standard Bible
Be whole and complete in your love, just as your heavenly Father is. This isn't about being flawless. It's about letting your love reach everyone, the way God's does.
The word 'perfect' scares people, but it means 'complete,' not 'flawless.' God's love has no gaps. Jesus wants yours to have no gaps either.
Jesus concludes with the ultimate standard.
This is the summit of Jesus's ethical teaching. Everything in chapter 5 has been leading to this: love like God loves, completely, without exceptions.
The command to be 'perfect' (teleioi) uses a word meaning 'complete, mature, whole' rather than 'sinless.' It echoes the Levitical command 'Be holy, for I am holy' (Leviticus 19:2) and refers specifically to completeness in love, as the Father's love is complete.
In context, teleios refers to wholeness of love that includes enemies, not moral perfection in every area. The standard is the Father's indiscriminate, complete love.
Jesus, concluding the Beatitudes and antitheses section.
The climactic verse of chapter 5 sets the ultimate standard: the goal of the kingdom life is to reflect God's character in complete, undiscriminating love.
46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same?
47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?
48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
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