In the Bible, 'perfect' means spiritual maturity, not sinless perfection.
The term 'perfect' in the King James Bible consistently points to spiritual maturity, not absolute sinlessness. Les Feldick explains that this holds true from Noah to the Corinthian believers, where 'perfect' describes those who have grown in their faith. This understanding clarifies passages that might otherwise seem to demand impossible perfection.
Genesis 6:9 — Describes Noah as 'just' and 'perfect,' where Les shows 'perfect' means mature in spirituality.
In the Old Testament, the word 'perfect' appears in contexts describing faithful individuals like Noah, who is called 'a just man and perfect in his generations' (Genesis 6:9). This designation is linked with walking with God, implying a relationship of fellowship and maturity rather than flawless sinlessness. Similarly, in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses believers as 'perfect' in 1 Corinthians 2:6, referring to their spiritual maturity despite their carnal behavior. These uses consistently convey growth into Christian maturity, not the absence of sin.
Les Feldick emphasizes that the word 'perfect' in the King James Bible never means sinless perfection. Instead, it signifies spiritual maturity. He points to Noah as an example, noting that Noah was not sinless but had a mature spirituality uncommon for his day. Les also applies this to the Corinthian believers, who, although carnal, were considered 'mature' in basic gospel fundamentals. He contrasts this with the unique case of Adam, who was created sinless and perfect, but this is not the norm for fallen humanity.
In Genesis 6:9, Noah is described as 'just' and 'perfect.' Les explains that this does not mean Noah was sinless; rather, he was spiritually mature. This maturity set him apart in his generation, allowing him to walk with God and receive grace.
No. In 1 Corinthians 2:6, the Apostle Paul calls the Corinthian believers 'perfect' or 'mature.' Even though they were carnal, they had enough foundational understanding of Paul's gospel to be considered mature. Thus, 'perfect' in the New Testament also points to spiritual growth, not sinlessness.
Who is the Angel of the Lord? Genesis 16 Bible Study
makeup of the Arab people before the first one was ever born. Now remember that it's out of Ishmael that most of our Arab people have come. Now I didn't say all, I said most, because we're also going to have some other branches that are going to feed into the Arabian peoples. But here He gives such a vivid description of their makeup. Verse 12, "...
Noah's Maturity
Les clarifies that Noah being 'perfect' means he had spiritual maturity, not that he was sinless.
Meaning of 'Perfect'
Les explains that the Hebrew and Greek words translated 'perfect' in the King James never mean sinless perfection but spiritual maturity.
Corinthian Believers
Les shows that Paul's use of 'perfect' for the Corinthian believers underscores that it means mature, not sinless.
What Does "Saved by Faith" Really Mean? Romans 1:16-17
But you see, God doesn't expect a new believer to stay that way. He expects them to begin to grow in grace and in knowledge and in wisdom, see? It's a perfect analogy between the physical and the spiritual. All right, so in reading back to verse 16, it's the power of God unto salvation, that all-inclusive Word, that yes, it is going to be our way into glory.
What Happened Between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2? (The Genesis Gap Explained)
Verse 15, God goes on to say, you were perfect, he was sinless in thy ways from the day that thou wast, what's the next word, created. So we have here a created angelic being whom God had put over a kingdom. And so he says, you were perfect until iniquity was found in thee. In other words, this angelic being by virtue of his own free will rebelled against God.
What Happens to Satan, the Antichrist & the Dead?
Now even the citizens of this kingdom, these who will fill the earth during the kingdom, are going to be normal flesh-and-blood people, having children, working, producing, but it's going to be in the absence of sin, it's going to be in the absence of the adversary, and it's going to be under the perfect righteous rule of Christ the King. That's what's going to make it so perfect.
Genesis 2-3 Bible Study: How the Fall of Man Changed Everything
All right, if you'll Remember that on the sixth day of creation, God created Adam, created him out of the dust of the earth, formed him, made him in God's own image, and we hopefully got across that that was in the area of our invisible makeup in our personality, the very fact that we are mind, will, and emotion, and God placed that then within a body.
Genesis 6:9: These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
This verse is the key example where 'perfect' is used to describe Noah's spiritual maturity.
1 Corinthians 2:6: Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
Paul uses 'perfect' to refer to mature believers, reinforcing the meaning of spiritual maturity.
No. In the Bible, especially in the King James Version, 'perfect' means spiritual maturity. This is seen in figures like Noah and in Paul's letters to believers. Sinless perfection is not the meaning.
Les taught that Noah was not sinless but had a mature spirituality that was unique in his generation. This maturity allowed him to walk with God and receive grace.
Watch the Teaching: Who is the Angel of the Lord? Genesis 16 Bible Study