야고보서의 τελ-어군(語群)의 사용과 '온전함'의 의미

The Use of τελ–cognates and the Meaning of 'Perfection' in the Epistle of James

To anyone who reads carefully the Greek text of the letter of James, it can hardly be missed that James indeed favors the terms of τελ-cognates. They occur, except in chapter 4, total 9 times in the letter. First, the adjective τέλετος in 1:4 modifies the 'endurance' (4a) which must run its course to its fullness, and also 'the man' (4b; cf. 3:2) who thus reaches the goal of its whole process of the endurance. Then, the ideas of the goal and its process are expressed again by ἀποτελεσθεῑσα in 1:15, yet now vividly and strikingly in the negative direction. In contrast with the case above, James describes 'God's abundant giving or gifts from above' using the adjective τέλετος in 1:17. In what sense in 1:25 is the law perfect (τέλετος)? Likewise, when James says, 'if you fulfill (τελεῑτε, 'not keep/observe') in 2:8, τελέω cannot, without difficulties, be equated with τηρέω in 2:10. Again, James applies this tel-concept as he presents what he really means by 'faith is perfected (ἀποτελεσθεῑσα) by its works' in 2:22. Lastly, James uses the noun τέλος 'of the Lord' in 5:11. To conclude, it is likely that the ideas of 'the intended goal' and 'the necessitated process' involved in his concept of perfection, play significant roles to help the readers understand what James really means by the endurance, God's gifts, law, faith and the final outcomes. With the beginning of faith presupposed, James lays much emphasis on the goal of the faith and its process to fulfill, yet he makes sure that the outcome is always God's gracious prefect gift.