τέλος (telos)
telos
goal/tax
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 41 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek noun telos primarily denotes an end, but not merely as a point in time. It refers to the termination or limit of an act or state, emphasizing the final result or outcome. In passages like 1 Corinthians 10:11 and 2 Corinthians 3:13, it marks the conclusion of a process or era. The word also appears in Matthew 10:22 and Mark 13:13 to describe the end of a period, showing its flexibility in describing both events and timelines.
A key nuance is that telos often implies purpose or goal. Romans 10:4 calls Christ "the end (telos) of the law," suggesting He fulfills its intended aim rather than simply abolishing it. This sense of completion is reinforced in Hebrews 6:11 and Revelation 21:6, where it points to a definitive conclusion. Translators sometimes render it as "goal" or "purpose" to capture this active sense of reaching a destination.
Interestingly, telos also meant a tax or toll in everyday usage, as seen in Matthew 17:25 and Romans 13:7. This concrete meaning likely influenced its spiritual application, where believers are called to pay the "end" of obedience or love. The dual sense of completion and obligation highlights how deeply rooted this concept is in both civic and religious life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word telos carries a rich depth that goes beyond a simple finish line. It points to the intended goal or purpose of something. When Jesus speaks of enduring to the end, He is not just talking about surviving until time runs out. He is pointing to a faithful completion of our journey with Him. This perspective turns waiting into active hope, knowing that our perseverance has a specific destination.
Paul uses this same word in Romans 10:4 to describe Christ as the telos of the law. This suggests that Jesus is not merely the stop sign for legalistic rules, but their fulfillment and ultimate aim. He brings the law to its intended purpose of righteousness through faith. This gives us confidence that our spiritual life is moving toward a meaningful conclusion.
We also see this word in everyday contexts like paying taxes, reminding us that some obligations are simply part of civic life. Yet in the broader biblical narrative, it invites us to look forward with patience. The ends of the ages have come, and we are called to live in light of that final reality, trusting God’s plan for our lives.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 41 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- end10×
- end.5×
- outcome3×
- [the] end3×
- the end2×
- end,2×
- end [is]2×
- an end2×
- [the] end,2×
- utmost.1×
- the goal1×
- revenue,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- τέλος18×
- τέλος.¶6×
- τέλος,6×
- τέλους5×
- τέλος.3×
- τέλη2×
- τέλους·1×
- Τέλος1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 10:22
You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.
This verse links endurance directly to salvation, showing that telos here represents the faithful completion of a believer's journey rather than just a temporal endpoint.
-
Romans 10:4
For Christ is the fulfillment of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Here Christ is called the fulfillment of the law, indicating that telos signifies the intended goal and purpose that the law was always pointing toward.
-
I Corinthians 15:24
Then the end comes, when he will deliver up the Kingdom to God the Father, when he will have abolished all rule and all authority and power.
This passage describes the final delivery of the Kingdom, where telos marks the definitive conclusion of all opposing authorities and the establishment of God's reign.
-
Matthew 17:25
He said, “Yes.” When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?”
In this concrete usage regarding tribute, telos refers to a tax or toll, illustrating its everyday meaning for civic obligations before its spiritual application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does telos mean in Romans 10:4?
Is telos only about the end of time?
How is telos different from other words for end?
Every Occurrence (41 verses across 14 books)
Matthew 6 verses
You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.
Matthew 17:25He said, “Yes.” When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the…
Matthew 24:6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you aren’t troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not…
Matthew 24:13But he who endures to the end will be saved.
Matthew 24:14This Good News of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end…
Matthew 26:58But Peter followed him from a distance to the court of the high priest, and entered in and sat with the officers, to…