Verse 15
In conclusion, Paul urged those who were mature among his readers to recognize that what he had said was true. He also promised that God would enlighten those who thought differently about minor matters if their attitude was right.
"The sentence is thus predicated on their mutual friendship and mutual trust, which is so secure that Paul can simply leave it in God’s hands to ’reveal’ to them what further understanding they may need on matters wherein they might not be ready fully to agree with him." [Note: Fee, Paul’s Letter . . ., p. 359.]
"Perfect" (NASB) means "mature" (NIV, Gr. teleios), not sinless. In Philippians 3:12 Paul used the same root word and claimed he was not perfect. Probably there he meant that he was not absolutely perfect or mature, and here he meant that he was relatively mature compared to the immature. [Note: See Müller, p. 125.] He may have been using "perfect" here somewhat ironically.
". . . for the time being true Christian perfection ’consists only in striving for perfection.’" [Note: Hawthorne, p. 158.]
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