consecrated / perfected

The Letter to the Hebrews 10:14 (NABRE) contains an important description of Jesus’ priesthood: “For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated.” There’s a fascinating view of the difference between perfection and consecration as well as an interesting breakdown of the timing of each.

The verb here referring to “perfection” is τελειόω (teleoo). The idea of perfection in Greek and Latin is that something is entirely finished or brought to its ultimate end. The verb here is in the perfect tense, which suggests something that has happened in the past and that continues to be true up until the present time—and potentially beyond. The important idea is that Christ achieved the work of perfecting or completing humanity at some point in the past that continues up through to today. Through the fall of humanity, there was something missing or incomplete up until Christ.

The idea of “consecration” in this passage uses the Greek verb ἁγιάζω (agiazo), which just as easily could be translated as “make holy.” It contains the root meaning of the concept of holiness that things are set apart or separate. The translation of this does a good job capturing its sense of time. This is a present tense view of those who are being sanctified or made holy. This phrase suggests that although humanity has in aggregate been completed in the past, we still bear individual responsibility to realize the gift of that perfection and to sanctify ourselves. Christ’s offering gives each of us the opportunity for holiness and leaves us with the responsibility of claiming that gift.