Lexical Summary teleó: To complete, to finish, to fulfill, to accomplish. Original Word: τελέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance finish, accomplishFrom 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 Originfrom 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: τελέωτελέω, 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; 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.) 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). 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. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 7:28 V-AIA-3SGRK: ἐγένετο ὅτε ἐτέλεσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς INT: it came to pass when had finished Jesus Matthew 10:23 V-ASA-2P Matthew 11:1 V-AIA-3S Matthew 13:53 V-AIA-3S Matthew 17:24 V-PIA-3S Matthew 19:1 V-AIA-3S Matthew 26:1 V-AIA-3S Luke 2:39 V-AIA-3P Luke 12:50 V-ASP-3S Luke 18:31 V-FIP-3S Luke 22:37 V-ANP John 19:28 V-RIM/P-3S John 19:30 V-RIM/P-3S Acts 13:29 V-AIA-3P Romans 2:27 V-PPA-NFS Romans 13:6 V-PIA-2P 2 Corinthians 12:9 V-PIM/P-3S Galatians 5:16 V-ASA-2P 2 Timothy 4:7 V-RIA-1S James 2:8 V-PIA-2P Revelation 10:7 V-AIP-3S Revelation 11:7 V-ASA-3P Revelation 15:1 V-AIP-3S Revelation 15:8 V-ASP-3P Revelation 17:17 V-FIP-3P Strong's Greek 5055 |