Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 57:4 (Dec 2014)
Article: The Use Of Perfection Language In Hebrews 5:14 And 6:1 And The Contextual Interpretation Of 5:11–6:3
Author: Craig Allen Hill

JETS 57:4 (December 2014) p. 727

The Use Of Perfection Language In
Hebrews 5:14 And 6:1 And The Contextual Interpretation Of 5:11–6:3

Craig Allen Hill*

* Craig Allen Hill is affiliate assistant professor of NT at Fuller Theological Seminary, 135 North Oakland Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101.

Two issues that have warranted considerable attention in scholarship surrounding the Epistle to the Hebrews are the concept of perfection as well as the ominous “warning passages.” It would seem that these two debates meet in the parenetic section of 5:11–6:12. Possibly the most infamous of the warning passages (Heb 6:4–6) is contained in this section as well as two instances of perfection language (τελείων in 5:14 and τελειότητα in 6:1). Although a clear understanding of the various forms of the τέλειος word grouping would indeed have something significant to contribute to the discussion surrounding this warning passage, scholarship has to a certain degree failed to recognize the importance of this passage from the perspective of the theme of perfection.1

I. Perfection Language In Hebrews

There are fourteen different occurrences of the derivatives of τέλειος and τελειόω in one form or another in Hebrews.2 The occurrence of these is as follows: τέλειος (5:14; 9:11), τελειότης (6:1), τελειόω (2:10; 5:9; 7:19, 28; 9:9; 10:1, 14; 11:40; 12:23), τελειωτής (12:2), τελείωσις (7:11). In the New American Standard translation all occurrences, with the exception of You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
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