StrongerBible

epiteleō

ἐπιτελέω

GreekG2005complete, perform, ...

Appears 10 times · tap a cell to see the verses

Rom 15:282Co 7:12Co 8:62Co 8:11 (2×)Gal 3:3Php 1:6Heb 8:5Heb 9:61Pe 5:9
Compound of
Word studyeh-pee-teh-LEH-ohverb

What epiteleō means

to bring fully to completion: to finish what was begun, or carry an appointed task all the way through

TranslatabilityApproximateCertaintyStrong

This verb is built on the ordinary word for finishing, τελέω, with a prefix that pushes it toward full, thorough completion. It is not just to end an action but to carry it all the way through to its intended result. Paul uses it for finishing what was already started: the relief collection he wants the Corinthians to complete (2 Corinthians 8:6, 8:11), the delivery of that gift he will have carried through before he travels on (Romans 15:28), and, most memorably, the good work God began and promises to finish (Philippians 1:6).

The same verb also covers carrying out a fixed, sacred duty. In Hebrews the priests keep performing the appointed services, and Moses is charged with executing the tabernacle exactly to the pattern he was shown. Here the stress falls less on ending something and more on discharging a task in full, doing everything it requires.

A reader can usually catch which shade is meant from the context, but the common thread is worth keeping in view: whether the object is a collection, a promise, a rite, or even a stretch of suffering being lived out (1 Peter 5:9), the word insists the thing is brought all the way to its finish, not merely started or attempted. It is a close cousin of τελειόω, though that word leans toward bringing something to its goal or maturity rather than simply completing it.

Nuances

1ato finish or complete something already begun, bringing a started work to its end
Rom 15:282Co 7:12Co 8:62Co 8:11 (2×)Gal 3:3Php 1:6
1bto carry out or execute an appointed sacred task, doing in full what it requires
Heb 8:5Heb 9:6
1cto be carried out or brought to its fullness, of an experience being undergone (passive)
1Pe 5:9

What scholars say about epiteleō

ἐπιτελέω is a compound of ἐπί and τελέω, treated by the standard lexica (BDAG, LSJ) as "to complete, finish, accomplish" and, in cultic contexts, "to perform, carry out" religious rites, a well-attested Hellenistic usage. The prepositional prefix is generally read as perfective or intensive, marking the action as brought fully to its end. The Pauline occurrences (2 Cor 8:6, 11; Rom 15:28; Phil 1:6; Gal 3:3) cluster around finishing the Jerusalem collection, with Phil 1:6 applying it to God's completing work; Hebrews (8:5; 9:6) uses it of executing the tabernacle and the priestly service. The middle/passive at 1 Pet 5:9 is disputed: most render "are being accomplished/experienced," while a minority appeal to the attested sense "pay or discharge in full" for a "tax of suffering" rendering.

Sources

  • BDAG, s.v. ἐπιτελέωlexicon
  • LSJ, s.v. ἐπιτελέωlexicon
  • G. Delling, 'τέλος κτλ.', TDNT 8:49-87dictionary

All attested forms of ἐπιτελέω

present active participle nominative m p

ἐπιτελοῦντες

2Co 7:1, Heb 9:6

aorist active imperative 2p

ἐπιτελέσατε

2Co 8:11

aorist active infinitive

ἐπιτελέσαι

2Co 8:11

aorist active participle nominative m s

ἐπιτελέσας

Rom 15:28

aorist active subjunctive 3s

ἐπιτελέσῃ

2Co 8:6

future active indicative 3s

ἐπιτελέσει

Php 1:6

present active infinitive

ἐπιτελεῖν

Heb 8:5

present middle-or-passive indicative 2p

ἐπιτελεῖσθε

Gal 3:3

present passive infinitive

ἐπιτελεῖσθαι

1Pe 5:9