5055. teleó
Lexical Summary
teleó: To complete, to finish, to fulfill, to accomplish.

Original Word: τελέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: teleó
Pronunciation: te-leh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (tel-eh'-o)
KJV: accomplish, make an end, expire, fill up, finish, go over, pay, perform
NASB: finished, accomplished, completed, fulfilled, pay, carried, carry
Word Origin: [from G5056 (τέλος - end)]

1. to end, i.e. complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
finish, accomplish

From telos; to end, i.e. Complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt) -- accomplish, make an end, expire, fill up, finish, go over, pay, perform.

see GREEK telos

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 5055 teléō (from 5056 /télos, "consummation, completion") – properly, to complete (consummate), i.e. finish (qualitatively) the necessary process – with the results "rolling-over" to the next level (phase) of consummation. See 5056 (telos).

[This root (tel-) means "reaching the end (aim)." It is well-illustrated with the old pirate's telescope, unfolding (extending out) one stage at a time to function at full-strength (capacity effectiveness).]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from telos
Definition
to bring to an end, complete, fulfill
NASB Translation
accomplished (3), carried (1), carry (1), completed (3), finish (1), finished (11), fulfilled (2), fulfilling (1), keeps (1), pay (2), perfected (1), performed (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 5055: τελέω

τελέω, τέλω; 1 aorist ἐτελεσα (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 13, 3 c.); perfect τετέλεκα (2 Timothy 4:7); passive, present 3 person singular τελεῖται (2 Corinthians 12:9 L T Tr WH); perfect τετελεσμαι; 1 aorist ἐτελέσθην; 1 future τελεσθήσομαι; (τέλος); from Homer down;

1. to bring to a close, to finish, to end: ἔτη, passive, passed, finished, Revelation 20:3, 5, 7 ((so from Homer and Hesiod down; Aristotle, h. a. 7, 1 at the beginning, p. 580{a}, 14 ἐν τοῖς ἔτεσι τος δίς ἑπτά τετελεσμενοις); τριῶν τελουμενων ἡμερῶν, Lucian, Alex. 38); τόν δρόμον (Homer, Iliad 23, 373, 768; Sophocles Electr. 726), 2 Timothy 4:7; τούς λόγους, Matthew 7:28 L T Tr WH; ; τάς παραβολάς, Matthew 13:53; (ἄχρι τελεσθῶσιν αἱ πληγαί, Revelation 15:8); a rare use is τέλειν τάς πόλεις, i. e. your flight or journey through the cities (R. V. ye shall not have gone through the cities, etc.), Matthew 10:23 (similar are ἀνύειν τούς τόπους, Polybius 5, 8, 1; τά ἕλη, 3, 79, 5; consummare Italiam, Flor. 1, (13) 18, 1; explere urbes, Tibull. 1, 4, 69; conficere aequor immensum, Vergil Georg. 2, 541; also xii., signorum orbem, Cicero, nat. deor. 2, 20, 52); with the participle of a verb (like ἄρχομαι, παύομαι, cf. Winers Grammar, § 45, 4 a.; Buttmann, § 144, 14), Matthew 11:1.

2. to perform, execute, complete, fulfill (so that the thing done corresponds to what has been said, the order, command, etc.), i. e. α. with special reference to the subject-matter, to carry out the contents of a command": τόν νόμον, Romans 2:27 (cf. Winer's Grammar, 134 (127)); James 2:8; τήν ἐπιθυμίαν (i. e. τό ἐπιθυμουμενον), Galatians 5:16. β. with reference also to the form, to do just as commanded, and generally involving a notion of time, to perform the last act which completes a process, to accomplish, fulfill: ἅπαντα (πάντα) τά κατά νόμον, Luke 2:39; τήν μαρτυρίαν, the duty of testifying, Revelation 11:7; τό μυστήριον, passive, Revelation 10:7 (cf. Winer's Grammar, 277 (260)); τό βάπτισμα, passive, Luke 12:50; πάντα, passive, John 19:28 (the distinction between τελέω and τελειόω may be seen in this verse); τούς λόγους (τά ῤήματα) τοῦ Θεοῦ, passive, Revelation 17:17; ἅπαντα (πάντα) τά γεγραμμένα, Acts 13:29; passive, Luke 18:31 (see γράφω, 2 c.); with ἐν ἐμοί (in me) added, in my experience, Luke 22:37; ἐν πληγαῖς, in the infliction of calamities, Revelation 15:1; τετέλεσται (A. V. it is finished) everything has been accomplished which by the appointment of the Father as revealed in the Scriptures I must do and bear, John 19:30. equivalent to τελειόω, 2, which see (made perfect): 2 Corinthians 12:9 L T Tr WH.

3. to pay: τά δίδραχμα, Matthew 17:24; φόρους, Romans 13:6, (τόν φόρον, Plato, Alc. 1, p. 123 a.; τά τέλη, often in Attic writings). (Compare: ἀποτελέω, διατελέω, ἐκτελέω, ἐπιτελέω, συντελέω.)

Topical Lexicon
Underlying Concept of τελέω

The verb centers on bringing an action, purpose, or obligation to its intended goal. Whether the subject is God, Christ, angelic beings, rulers, or ordinary believers, τελέω highlights movement from intention to consummation. Scripture thereby reinforces the certainty that every divine plan, every prophetic word, and every covenant promise will reach its appointed completion.

Patterns of Use in the Gospels

1. Concluding Teaching Sections

Matthew repeatedly employs τελέω to mark the close of major discourses (Matthew 7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1). Each instance signals an orderly progression in Jesus’ earthly ministry. The verb assures readers that nothing spoken by the Lord hangs unresolved; every word fits into a larger, finished design.

2. Fulfillment of Mosaic Requirements

Luke 2:39 records that Joseph and Mary “had completed everything according to the Law of the Lord.” The infancy narrative thus begins with the faithful fulfillment of covenant obligations, anticipating the perfect obedience Christ will later accomplish.

3. Climactic Cry from the Cross

John 19:28 observes that Jesus, “knowing that everything had now been accomplished,” spoke to satisfy the final Scripture. Two verses later the triumphant declaration rings out: “It is finished” (John 19:30). Far more than a statement of death, the cry announces the completion of redemptive purpose—atonement, reconciliation, and victory over the powers of darkness.

Apostolic Application

1. Perseverance in Ministry

Paul mirrors his Master’s resolve: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race” (2 Timothy 4:7). The same verb that seals Calvary’s work now crowns a life of apostolic labor, urging believers to endure until their own course is complete.

2. Ethical Fulfillment

James challenges the church: “If you really fulfill the royal law according to Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well” (James 2:8). τελέω defines genuine obedience as bringing the command of love to its full expression in relationships and actions.

3. Civil Responsibilities

Romans 13:6 employs the present tense—“you pay taxes”—to describe the ongoing completion of civic duty. The believer’s submission to governing authorities is not sporadic but a continuous finishing of what is right.

Eschatological Significance

Revelation intensifies the motif:

• Trumpet judgments: “the mystery of God will be fulfilled” (Revelation 10:7).
• Bowl judgments: “the wrath of God is completed” (Revelation 15:1).
• Final release of Satan: “when the thousand years are completed” (Revelation 20:7).

Each occurrence underscores that history itself is moving toward a divinely fixed consummation. Nothing unfolds at random; every phase ends precisely when God’s purpose is achieved.

Divine Sovereignty and Human Agency

Acts 13:29 merges human hostility with divine orchestration: “When they had carried out everything that was written about Him, they took Him down from the tree.” Even enemies “complete” prophetic Scripture. God’s sovereignty co-opts voluntary human actions, ensuring that His plan reaches its goal without violating moral accountability.

Practical Implications for Discipleship

1. Confidence in God’s Promises

What God begins He finishes (Philippians 1:6 uses a cognate verb). The believer rests in the certainty that salvation, sanctification, and glorification will not abort mid-course.

2. Call to Finish Well

Galatians 5:16 warns that walking by the Spirit will “not gratify the desires of the flesh.” The Christian life is a daily process of bringing holiness to completion.

3. Worship and Liturgy

The declaration “It is finished” shapes Christian worship as celebration, not uncertainty. Every ordinance—baptism, the Lord’s Supper—looks back to a completed cross-work while pointing forward to the consummation of all things.

Summary

τελέω threads through Scripture as a golden line of completion: from the purification rites in the Temple to the last trumpet of Revelation, from the finished discourses of Jesus to His finished redemption, from apostolic perseverance to the finished wrath that ushers in a new heaven and earth. The word assures believers that the God who authors history will also finish it, bringing every promise to perfect fulfillment.

Forms and Transliterations
ετελεσαν ετέλεσαν ἐτέλεσαν ετελεσεν ετέλεσεν ἐτέλεσεν ετελεσθη ετελέσθη ἐτελέσθη ετελέσθησαν τελει τελεί τελεῖ τελειται τελεῖται τελειτε τελείτε τελεῖτε τελεσητε τελέσητε τελεσθη τελεσθή τελεσθῇ τελέσθη τελεσθηναι τελεσθήναι τελεσθῆναι τελεσθησεται τελεσθήσεται τελεσθησονται τελεσθήσονται τελεσθωσιν τελεσθώσιν τελεσθῶσιν τελέσωσι τελεσωσιν τελέσωσιν τελουσα τελούσα τελοῦσα τετελεκα τετέλεκα τετελεσμένον τετελεσμένων τετελεσται τετέλεσται etelesan etélesan etelesen etélesen etelesthe etelesthē etelésthe etelésthē telei teleî teleitai teleîtai teleite teleîte telesete telesēte telésete telésēte telesosin telesōsin telésosin telésōsin telesthe telesthē telesthêi telesthē̂i telesthenai telesthênai telesthēnai telesthē̂nai telesthesetai telesthēsetai telesthḗsetai telesthesontai telesthēsontai telesthḗsontai telesthosin telesthôsin telesthōsin telesthō̂sin telousa teloûsa teteleka tetéleka tetelestai tetélestai
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 7:28 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ἐγένετο ὅτε ἐτέλεσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς
INT: it came to pass when had finished Jesus

Matthew 10:23 V-ASA-2P
GRK: οὐ μὴ τελέσητε τὰς πόλεις
NAS: I say to you, you will not finish [going through] the cities
KJV: not have gone over the cities
INT: no not will you have completed the cities

Matthew 11:1 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ἐγένετο ὅτε ἐτέλεσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς
NAS: Jesus had finished giving instructions
KJV: Jesus had made an end of commanding
INT: it came to pass when had finished Jesus

Matthew 13:53 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ἐγένετο ὅτε ἐτέλεσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς
NAS: Jesus had finished these
KJV: Jesus had finished these
INT: it came to pass when had finished Jesus

Matthew 17:24 V-PIA-3S
GRK: ὑμῶν οὐ τελεῖ τὰ δίδραχμα
NAS: Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma
KJV: your master pay tribute?
INT: of you not does he pay the didrachmas

Matthew 19:1 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ἐγένετο ὅτε ἐτέλεσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς
NAS: When Jesus had finished these words,
KJV: Jesus had finished these
INT: it came to pass when had finished Jesus

Matthew 26:1 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ΕΓΕΝΕΤΟ ὅτε ἐτέλεσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς
NAS: When Jesus had finished all these
KJV: when Jesus had finished all these
INT: it came to pass when had finished Jesus

Luke 2:39 V-AIA-3P
GRK: Καὶ ὡς ἐτέλεσαν πάντα τὰ
NAS: When they had performed everything
KJV: when they had performed all things
INT: And when they had performed everything

Luke 12:50 V-ASP-3S
GRK: ἕως ὅτου τελεσθῇ
NAS: I am until it is accomplished!
KJV: till it be accomplished!
INT: until while it be accomplished

Luke 18:31 V-FIP-3S
GRK: Ἰερουσαλήμ καὶ τελεσθήσεται πάντα τὰ
NAS: of Man will be accomplished.
KJV: of man shall be accomplished.
INT: Jerusalem and will be accomplished all things which

Luke 22:37 V-ANP
GRK: γεγραμμένον δεῖ τελεσθῆναι ἐν ἐμοί
NAS: must be fulfilled in Me, 'AND HE WAS NUMBERED
KJV: must yet be accomplished in me,
INT: has been written must be accomplished in me

John 19:28 V-RIM/P-3S
GRK: ἤδη πάντα τετέλεσται ἵνα τελειωθῇ
NAS: had already been accomplished, to fulfill
KJV: now accomplished, that
INT: now all things have been finished that might be fulfilled

John 19:30 V-RIM/P-3S
GRK: Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν Τετέλεσται καὶ κλίνας
NAS: He said, It is finished! And He bowed
KJV: he said, It is finished: and
INT: Jesus he said It has been finished and having bowed

Acts 13:29 V-AIA-3P
GRK: ὡς δὲ ἐτέλεσαν πάντα τὰ
NAS: When they had carried out all
KJV: when they had fulfilled all
INT: when moreover they finished all things that

Romans 2:27 V-PPA-NFS
GRK: τὸν νόμον τελοῦσα σὲ τὸν
NAS: uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law,
KJV: nature, if it fulfil the law,
INT: the law fulfilling you who

Romans 13:6 V-PIA-2P
GRK: καὶ φόρους τελεῖτε λειτουργοὶ γὰρ
NAS: you also pay taxes,
KJV: this cause pay ye tribute also:
INT: also taxes pay you servants indeed

2 Corinthians 12:9 V-PIM/P-3S
GRK: ἐν ἀσθενείᾳ τελεῖται Ἥδιστα οὖν
NAS: for you, for power is perfected in weakness.
INT: in weakness is perfected Most gladly therefore

Galatians 5:16 V-ASA-2P
GRK: οὐ μὴ τελέσητε
NAS: by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire
KJV: not fulfil the lust
INT: no not should you fulfill

2 Timothy 4:7 V-RIA-1S
GRK: τὸν δρόμον τετέλεκα τὴν πίστιν
NAS: fight, I have finished the course,
KJV: fight, I have finished [my] course,
INT: the course I have finished the faith

James 2:8 V-PIA-2P
GRK: μέντοι νόμον τελεῖτε βασιλικὸν κατὰ
NAS: however, you are fulfilling the royal
KJV: If ye fulfil the royal law
INT: indeed [the] law you keep royal according to

Revelation 10:7 V-AIP-3S
GRK: σαλπίζειν καὶ ἐτελέσθη τὸ μυστήριον
KJV: of God should be finished, as
INT: to sound [the] trumpet also should be completed the mystery

Revelation 11:7 V-ASA-3P
GRK: καὶ ὅταν τελέσωσιν τὴν μαρτυρίαν
NAS: When they have finished their testimony,
KJV: when they shall have finished their
INT: And when they shall have completed the testimony

Revelation 15:1 V-AIP-3S
GRK: ἐν αὐταῖς ἐτελέσθη ὁ θυμὸς
NAS: in them the wrath of God is finished.
KJV: in them is filled up the wrath of God.
INT: in them was completed the wrath

Revelation 15:8 V-ASP-3P
GRK: ναὸν ἄχρι τελεσθῶσιν αἱ ἑπτὰ
NAS: of the seven angels were finished.
KJV: of the seven angels were fulfilled.
INT: temple until were completed the seven

Revelation 17:17 V-FIP-3P
GRK: θηρίῳ ἄχρι τελεσθήσονται οἱ λόγοι
NAS: the words of God will be fulfilled.
KJV: the words of God shall be fulfilled.
INT: beast until should be fulfilled the words

Strong's Greek 5055
28 Occurrences


ἐτέλεσαν — 2 Occ.
ἐτέλεσεν — 5 Occ.
ἐτελέσθη — 2 Occ.
τελεῖ — 1 Occ.
τελεῖται — 1 Occ.
τελεῖτε — 2 Occ.
τελέσητε — 2 Occ.
τελέσωσιν — 1 Occ.
τελεσθῇ — 4 Occ.
τελεσθῆναι — 1 Occ.
τελεσθήσεται — 1 Occ.
τελεσθήσονται — 1 Occ.
τελεσθῶσιν — 1 Occ.
τελοῦσα — 1 Occ.
τετέλεκα — 1 Occ.
τετέλεσται — 2 Occ.

5054
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