teleios describes mature or fully complete persons and things, including what stands over against what is partial.

The attested use most often describes persons as mature, complete, or whole in thought, conduct, standing, or growth. It also characterizes gifts, love, a law, God’s will, and a tent as complete or fully fitting, including a contrast with what is partial and a comparative description of the tent.

1. Mature or complete persons · dominant

   The masculine forms describe people in contexts of developed thought, trained discernment, or a desired mature standing. In 1 Corinthians 14:20 the APB renders the contrast between children in thinking and being “mature”; in Hebrews 5:14 it speaks of those whose senses are trained to discern good and evil; and in Colossians 4:12 it renders the prayer that they may stand “perfect and fully assured” in God’s will.

   1 Corinthians 14:201 Corinthians 2:6Colossians 1:28Colossians 4:12Ephesians 4:13Hebrews 5:14
2. Complete quality or state · common

   Neuter and feminine forms qualify things or states presented as fully fitting or complete. In 1 Corinthians 13:10 the APB renders the coming of “the perfect” in contrast to what is “in part”; in James 1:4 perseverance is to have its “perfect work” so that its readers may be “whole, lacking nothing”; and in 1 John 4:18 “perfect love” casts out fear.

   1 Corinthians 13:101 John 4:18Hebrews 9:11James 1:17James 1:25James 1:4

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across these verses, the APB uses “perfect,” “mature,” and “whole,” and in Hebrews 9:11 “more perfect.” These are verse-level renderings rather than definitions of each form.