King James Bible Dictionary

See SANCTIFICATION.

Ascribed to:

Noah
Genesis 6:8-9

Jacob
Numbers 23:21

David
1 Kings 11:4; 1 Kings 11:6

Asa
1 Kings 15:14

Job
Job 1:1

Zacharias and Elizabeth
Luke 1:6

Nathanael
John 1:47

Unclassified scriptures relating to
Genesis 17:1; Deuteronomy 5:32; Deuteronomy 18:13; Joshua 23:6; 1 Kings 8:61; 1 Chronicles 28:9; 1 Chronicles 29:19; 2 Chronicles 6:36; Job 9:20-21; Psalms 18:32; Psalms 37:31; Psalms 37:37; Psalms 101:2; Psalms 106:3; Psalms 119:1-3; Psalms 119:6; Psalms 119:96; Proverbs 2:21; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Matthew 5:6; Matthew 5:48; Matthew 19:21; Luke 6:40; 1 Corinthians 2:6; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 2 Corinthians 13:9; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Ephesians 4:11-13; Philippians 1:10; Philippians 2:15; Philippians 3:12-15; Colossians 1:21-22; Colossians 1:28; Colossians 2:9-11; Colossians 3:14; Colossians 4:12; 1 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 2 Timothy 2:1; 2 Timothy 3:17; Hebrews 6:1; Hebrews 10:14; Hebrews 13:20-21; James 1:4; James 1:25; James 3:2; 1 Peter 5:10; 1 John 2:5; 1 John 3:6-10; 1 John 4:12; 1 John 5:18
God, Perfection of; Holiness; Sanctification

PERFEC'TION, noun [Latin perfectio.] The state of being perfect or complete, so that nothing requisite is wanting; as perfection in an art or science; perfection in a system of morals.

1. Physical perfection is when a natural object has all its powers, faculties or qualities entire and in full vigor, and all its parts in due proportion.

2. Metaphysical or transcendental perfection is the possession of all the essential attributes or all the parts necessary to the integrity of a substance. This is absolute, where all defect is precluded, such as the perfection of God; or according to its kind, as in created things.

3. Moral perfection is the complete possession of all moral excellence, as in the Supreme Being; or the possession of such moral qualities and virtues as a thing is capable of.

4. A quality, endowment or acquirement completely excellent, or of great worth.

In this sense, the word has a plural.

What tongue can her perfections tell?

5. An inherent or essential attribute of supreme or infinite excellence; or one perfect in its kind; as the perfections of God. The infinite power, holiness, justice, benevolence and wisdom of God are denominated his perfections.

6. Exactness; as, to imitate a model to perfection

PERFEC'TIONAL, adjective Made complete.

PERFEC'TIONATE, used by Dryden and Tooke, in lieu of the verb to perfect, is a useless word.

PERFEC'TIONIST, noun One pretending to perfection; an enthusiast in religion.