being perfect
What does the Bible say about being perfect? These are the passages readers found most helpful — tap any citation to read it in context.
14 passages · most helpful first
48Therefore, be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
2For we all offend in many ways. If anyone does not offend in word, he is a perfect man. And he is then able, as if with a bridle, to lead the whole body around.
21Jesus said to him: “If you are willing to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and then you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.”
18Fear is not in love. Instead, perfect love casts out fear, for fear pertains to punishment. And whoever fears is not perfected in love.
1My little sons, this I write to you, so that you may not sin. But if anyone has sinned, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Just One.
1And so, I beg you, brothers, by the mercy of God, that you offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, with the subservience of your mind. 2And do not choose to be conformed to this age, but instead choose to be reformed in the newness of your mind, so that you may demonstrate what is the will of God: what is good, and what is well-pleasing, and what is perfect.
4and patience brings a work to perfection, so that you may be perfect and whole, deficient in nothing.
6Everyone who abides in him does not sin. For whoever sins has not seen him, and has not known him.
26For if we sin willingly, after receiving knowledge of the truth, there is no sacrifice remaining for sins,
17In this way, the love of God is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment. For as he is, so also are we, in this world.
8For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not of yourselves, for it is a gift of God. 9And this is not of works, so that no one may glory.
9All those who have been born of God do not commit sin. For the offspring of God abides in them, and he is not able to sin, because he was born of God.
13So then, go out and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the just, but sinners.”
23For all have sinned and all are in need of the glory of God.