Teleios simply applies to the unpopular doctrine of holiness that many people feel “cannot” be lived out in this present life. That theory is false and only the opposite is true. Let me explain holiness.

The unholy heart is made holy in the new birth when Christ come in. Holiness (which consists of recognition of Christ in the personal life) can be lived out presently in this life.  Holiness of character and conduct are produced solely by God’s saving Grace in the new birth. This New Testament truth is confirmed by words such as perfect and complete. Greek text is not needed to prove such truth, but clearing defines what holiness is.

Take note…the words perfect, perfected, and perfection are used 120 times in the King James Version of the Bible. In many cases they relate to the clean heart of the child of God.

Here’s holiness in a scriptural sense.

Strong’s #5046: teleios (pronounced tel’-i-os)

Teleios means complete (in various applications of labor, mental, and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with 3588) completeness:–of full age, man, perfect.

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon

Teleios

• brought to its end, finished
• wanting nothing necessary to completeness
• perfect
• that which is perfect
• full grown, adult, of full age, mature

Philippians 3:15: “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,”
Colossians 1:28: “we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:”
Colossians 4:12: “prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all”
Hebrews 5:14: “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have”
James 1:17: “gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down”
James 1:25: “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and”
James 3:2: “in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle”