The Doctrine of Perfection: Topic 3:
So far we have explored the definitions of the doctrine of perfection. Unlike other doctrines, such as baptism, whose rites are widely understood, perfection has multiple dimensions: it transcends the individual and extends to our actions, possessions, and commitments. What remains unfinished falls short of completeness and therefore cannot be considered perfect. In Scripture, judgment falls not only on the act, but also on the one who performs it. For example, in the Old Testament sacrifices, a defective animal was not only rejected, but reflected the imperfection of the one who offered it and affected his spiritual condition.
The uniqueness of this teaching lies in its comprehensiveness. It considers the unfinished or developing as an imperfection that affects the individual and is deeply connected to consecration and holiness. Consecration means to set aside something exclusively for the service of the Lord, but to be worthy of it, it must be free from defects. If what is consecrated is used for ordinary purposes, it loses its holiness, as James 3:11-12 illustrates: “Does a fountain pour out of the same mouth both sweet and bitter water?” This clear distinction between the sacred and the profane demands total commitment, without ambiguity.
What will we see next?
The perfection doctrine is about living according to God’s will. It focuses on three main things: integrity (being honest and fair), justice (giving everyone what they deserve), and selflessness (giving without expecting anything in return). These actions reflect God’s character and help us align ourselves with His purpose.
Perfection in the Hebrew Language: 2 Samuel 22:24-26
In 2 Samuel 22:24-26 we read: “I was upright in the eyes of him and kept myself from my iniquity. The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness and according to my purity in his sight. To the good you are kind, and to the upright you are upright. Here the Hebrew word tam (perfect, upright) and its plural tammin encompass righteousness, integrity, and justice. Derived from the same root, these terms suggest a life that gives everyone what is due and reflects fairness and wholeness. Verse 26, “With the merciful you will be merciful, and with the upright you will be upright,” emphasizes that perfection is a reflection of the reciprocal relationship between God and man.
Perfection as Justice and Integrity
This principle is reinforced in Proverbs 26:5 (“Answer a fool according to his folly“), where perfection means acting justly and accurately, giving everyone what is due. In the New Testament, the parable of the ungrateful servant (Matthew 18:23-35) illustrates this: the forgiven servant did not extend the same grace to another, showing his lack of justice and integrity. Jesus rebukes him: “Should you not have had mercy on your fellow servant as I had mercy on you” (v. 33). Perfection here is to give what you have received, as Matthew 10:8 affirms: “Give freely what you have freely received“.
Faith as an Expression of Perfection
Faith is also related to perfection. Genesis 15:6 says that “faith was imputed to Abraham as righteousness,” while James 4:17 (“He who knows good and does not do it is imputed with sin“) and Romans 14:23 (“Whatever does not come from faith is sin“) indicate that the absence of faith is imperfection. Hebrews 11:6 confirms this: “Without faith it is impossible to please God“. Faith depends on integrity; without it it cannot flourish, uniting both concepts under the root tam.
Perfection in Detachment
Jesus expands on this teaching in Matthew 5:40-41: “Whosoever will take your coat, let him also take your cloak; and whosoever shall ask you to carry a burden a mile, go with him two“. Perfection lies in giving without reservation, not out of obligation, but out of an understanding of the divine purpose. Paul sums it up in Acts 20:35: “It is more blessed to give than to receive“. In Isaiah 58, fasting transcends physical abstinence and becomes sharing, a detachment that avoids attachment to material things. For example, the giving of a valuable possession, such as a Bible marked with effort, teaches that perfection is not in the object, but in total dependence on God.
Perfection in the Ministerial Call
This detachment is reflected in ministry. In Matthew 19:21, the rich young man rejects the call to be an apostle by not letting go of his possessions. In contrast, Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22:2) shows that surrender opens the way to perfection and divine purpose. Ministry is not defined by knowledge, but by the willingness to surrender. Paul, from teacher to apostle (Acts 13:1; 1 Timothy 2:7), illustrates how God transcends callings by demanding surrender.
Conclusion
The doctrine of perfection, as revealed in Galatians 6:7 (“Whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap“), requires integrity, righteousness, and faith expressed in concrete actions. Good intentions are not enough; practical obedience, detachment, and fairness position us in the place God intended. Psalm 18:25 sums it up: “With the merciful you will be merciful; with the upright you will be upright“. Perfection is not a static goal, but a process of surrender and alignment with the divine will.
