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Verse Takeaways
1
Complete, Not Sinless
Commentators agree that "perfect" (teleios) does not mean immediately becoming sinless. Instead, it means complete, mature, or whole. In context, Jesus is calling for a love that is complete—one that extends not just to friends but also to enemies. This wholeness of character, particularly in love, is the goal we are to strive for.
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Matthew
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Commentaries
11
Albert Barnes
On Matthew 5:48
18th Century
Theologian
Be ye therefore perfect, he concludes this part of the discourse by commanding his disciples to be perfect.
This word comm…
AT Robertson
On Matthew 5:48
Perfect (τελειο). The word comes from τελος, end, goal, limit. Here it is the goal set before us, the absolute standard of our Hea…
Charles Spurgeon
On Matthew 5:46–48
19th Century
Preacher
Do not even the publicans do the same? And if you salute your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the publicans do so? …
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Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Matthew 5:48
It is best to understand v.48 as the conclusion to all the antitheses. The OT background to this verse is Lev 19:2, with “holy” displaced by “perfe…
John Calvin
On Matthew 5:48
16th Century
Theologian
You shall therefore be perfect. This perfection does not mean equality, but relates solely to resemblance.423…
John Gill
On Matthew 5:48
17th Century
Pastor
Be you therefore perfect, as your Father
This perfection is to be restrained to the subject Christ is upon, love to …
Matthew Henry
On Matthew 5:43–48
17th Century
Minister
The Jewish teachers understood ���neighbor��� to mean only those who were of their own country, nation, and religion, whom they regarded as their f…
Thomas Aquinas
On Matthew 5:43–48
13th Century
Philosopher
You have heard that it has been said, You shall love your neighbor. Above, the Lord fulfilled the Law concerning permissi…