Accomplished (2005) (epiteleo from epí = intensifies meaning, in the sense of meaning "fully" + teleo = to complete, bring not just to the end but to the destined goal from télos = end, goal. Note: télos originally meant the turning point, hinge, the culminating point at which one stage ends and another begins; later the goal, the end. Marriage and death are is in this sense both a telos) conveys the intensified meaning to fully complete or to fully reach the intended goal in the sense of successfully completing what has been begun (Gal 3:3, Ro 15:28-note, Php 1:6-note). In one NT use the idea is to erect or build (Hebrews 8:5-note) Here in 1Peter the idea is to bring about or cause something to happen as fulfillment of an objective or purpose. Epiteleo is used 10 times in the NT and is translated in as (accomplished, 1; complete, 1; completion, 1; erect, 1; finish, 1; finished, 1; perfect, 1; perfected, 1; perfecting, 1; performing, 1). There are 7 uses of epiteleo in the Septuagint - Lev. 6:22 (speaking of the offering as to be "entirely offered"); Nu 23:23 (speaking of "what God has done" or accomplished); 1Sa 3:12; Esther 8:14; 9:27; Da 11:16; Zech 4:9 (Zerubbabel laid the foundation of the Temple [Ezra 3:8,9, 10, 11, 5:16]] and would "finish" it.) Romans 15:28 (note) Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain. 2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 8:6 Consequently we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well. 2 Corinthians 8:11 But now finish doing it also; that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Philippians 1:6 (note) For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Hebrews 8:5 (note) who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, "See," He says, "that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain." Hebrews 9:6 (note) Now when these things have been thus prepared, the priests are continually entering the outer tabernacle, performing the divine worship, 1 Peter 5:9 (note) But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. In 1Peter 5:9 epiteleo is in the present tense which means that the sufferings are continually being (being = passive voice) completely fulfilled. The meaning is not that the sufferings would be brought to an end (although every trial certainly has a beginning and an end), but that these sufferings would completely fulfill their intended goal and purpose in the life of each saint. In chapter 1 Peter had explained to the saints that their sufferings were neither purposeless nor fruitless but had a divinely intended goal. What goal? When they had come through the sufferings still trusting the Lord, they would be assured that their faith was real. The point is that the sufferings that were divinely appointed/allowed in the lives of God's children are not purposeless. Instead believers can look forward to the ultimate outcome. The Christian awaits not the end of suffering but its goal. A diamond develops into a diamond under great pressure. A smooth sea never made a skilful sailor. A believer stagnates in still waters. Epiteleo can also mean to fully finish something begun, to bring it to a successful finish or to bring it to an end as illustrated in (Romans 15:28) where Paul makes reference to a project he was eager to complete, writing "Therefore, when I have finished (epiteleo - thoroughly completed) this (delivering the contributions of the Christians in Achaia and Macedonia) and have put my seal on this fruit (their financial gift for the Jerusalem church = fruit of their genuine love, in turn a product of gospel seed-sowing) of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain." (see note Romans 15:28) Paul was anxious to fully complete this project of the collection of money for the Jerusalem poor. As soon as Paul had completed, executed or accomplished (epiteleo) this mission, he would visit Rome on his way to Spain. In a similar use of epiteleo Paul encourages the saints at Philippi (and believers everywhere) that he was "confident (having come to a settled persuasion concerning) of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you (past tense salvation = justification) will perfect (Vincent says "will carry it on towards completion, and finally complete" ) it until the day of Christ Jesus (future tense salvation = glorification)." (See notes Philippians 1:6) Paul was absolutely certain that God would fully complete His work of salvation in the Philippians. There is no possibility of failure or of partial fulfillment. When God begins a work of salvation in a person, He finishes and perfects that work, bringing the saint to the intended goal of glorification and fully conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. Fully complete also points to the eternal security of the Christian. For completeness it should be noted that in context "good work" could refer to their active financial participation in the furtherance of the gospel, but without a doubt can also be applied to a believer's salvation, for what God begins, He completes and perfects. Amen! Completed and Perfected from "A Debtor to Mercy Alone" Click to play (A Debtor to Mercy ~ Kevin Inafuku) The work which His goodness began, The arm of His strength will complete; His promise is Yea and Amen, And never was forfeited yet. —Augustus M. Toplady Paul uses epiteleo in reference to daily sanctification writing "Therefore having these promises (OT promises quoted in 2Cor 6:16, 17, 18 = Scripture often encourages action based on promises), beloved, let us cleanse (in context implies separation = aorist tense here calls for a complete break to be made) ourselves (each believer must do this in his or her own life) from (apó = indicates the separation of a person or an object from another person or an object with which it was formerly united) all (no exceptions) defilement (that which pollutes or stains, the Greek OT, LXX, uses it of religious defilement or unholy alliances with idols, etc) of flesh and spirit (a figure for the whole person), (present tense = continually = speaks of a daily process = sanctification) perfecting (epiteleo - present tense calling for continual action = make this the habit of your life, progressively accomplishing) holiness in the fear of God." (See notes 2Co 7:1) The NLT translates it "Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete purity because we fear God." In other words, as saints ("holy ones", set apart ones), believers are in Christ and have His perfect positional holiness (1Cor 1:30, NIV) but it is the duty of each saint to daily, continually choose to cleanse oneself and as we are doing this (controlled by the Holy Spirit, not legalistic constraints), we will are becoming in effect a more and more like Jesus (conformed to His image) and less and less like the world. MacDonald notes that Paul "does not suggest that it is ever possible to become perfectly holy while still here on earth. Practical sanctification is a process that goes on through our lifetime. We grow in likeness to the Lord Jesus Christ until the day when we see Him face to face, and then we shall be like Him (cf 1Jn 3:2-3, cp 1Jn 2:28) throughout all eternity. It is as we have a reverential fear or awe of God that we have a desire in our hearts to become holy. May we all learn to say with the godly McCheyne, “Lord, make me as holy as it is possible for a man to be on this side of heaven.”" (MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson) Paul uses epiteleo with a similar meaning in Galatians asking "Are you so foolish (literally without comprehension)? Having begun (the moment you were justified by faith) by the Spirit, are you now being (present tense = continually equates with sanctification) perfected (epiteleo - present tense = continually perfecting) by the flesh (sinful human nature, the seat and vehicle of sinful desires)?" (Gal 3:3) As noted above, the present tense of epiteleo is continuous, so the idea is that while a beginning was made at a definite point (the moment you believed), perfecting (as used in this versed) is a process and specifically a process that is synonymous with the process of daily sanctification. In other words if the Galatian Christians could not obtain salvation by works but only by faith, could they expect to grow spiritually or continually progress in holiness by keeping the law? The idea that keeping the Mosaic Law will somehow help the Holy Spirit is a fallacy that sadly persists to our day. If the power of the Spirit was necessary to save them, could they complete the process by fleshly efforts? Clearly the answer likewise is "no". Now Christians "keep the Law" out of love, not legalistic constraint. Epiteleo is used 7 times in the Septuagint (LXX = Greek of Hebrew OT). In a sad passage Samuel records God's judgment on the house of Eli stating that "In that day I will carry out against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end (LXX translates this with epiteleo as "I will make an end")." (1Sa 3:12) The prophet Zechariah records that "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will finish (epiteleo ) it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you." (Zech 4:9) The oracle promises that as Zerubbabel had laid the foundation of the temple, so he would also complete it. In other words no obstacle will be able to stop the completion of the temple. Brethren (81) (adelphotes from adelphós = brother) is more literally "the brotherhood" which in Greek is a so-called collective singular, which indicates more strongly than the word "brothers" the oneness of those subjected to these sufferings. The only other use of adelphotes is found in 1Pe 2:17-note. Adelphos is derived from the copulative prefix (one that joins together words and expressing addition of their meaning) "a" and delphus “the womb” which gives the meaning of “one born from the same womb.” Brotherhood is the quality or state of being brothers, sharing a common bond, and in this context a common "birth", the new birth, all of one family ("children of God" Jn 1:12, 1Jn 3:1-note, 1Jn 3:2-note). BDAG (1) a group of fellow-believers, a fellowship...of the Christian community, whose members are adelphoi and adelphai 1 Pt 5:9; 1 Clemen 2:4...1 Pt 2:17...(2) mutual affection such as brothers or sisters have for one another, familial affection Norman Hilyer Peter’s choice of the collective term emphasizes the common bond of experience shared by all Christian believers, even those unknown to the readers. (New International Biblical Commentary) The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary... Adelphos and the feminine form, adelphē, are used first to speak of physical relationships, but approximately half of the occurrences in the NT use the figuratively/spiritually, primarily to speak of relationships between the people of Israel or between Christians.