Perfect Isn’t Flawless

Why “Sinless Perfection” Is a Smoke Grenade

Whenever I talk about grace breaking sin’s dominion, the necessity of purity, and Scripture commanding “perfection,” the reflex accusation inevitably shows up: “You’re preaching sinless perfection.”

That accusation only works if we smuggle a definition into the Bible that the Bible itself won’t use.

So let’s be plain:

I am not claiming sinless perfection.
And more than that—“sinless perfection” is not what Scripture means by perfect.

The phrase functions like a theological smoke grenade: it fills the room, stings the eyes, and lets people escape without ever answering the real question.

Biblical “perfection” is completeness—being fully fitted for obedience

Scripture uses perfect in a blunt, practical way:

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God…
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
—2 Timothy 3:16–17

“Perfect” here is not “metaphysically flawless.” It is complete—fully equipped for every good work God assigns.

Paul makes the same point by using the word two ways in one paragraph:

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect…”
—Philippians 3:12

“Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded…”
—Philippians 3:15

He can say “I’m not perfect” and “as many as be perfect” because perfect is often shorthand for mature—wholehearted, grown-up, pressing forward—not “finished,” not “flawless,” not “functionally divine.”

So here’s a working definition that actually fits the texts:

Biblical “perfection” is wholehearted maturity and completeness—being fully equipped and undivided toward God, with nothing knowingly held back.

That still confronts us. It just doesn’t require insanity.

The knockout text: Jesus was sinless, yet “made perfect”

Hebrews singlehandedly ruins the idea that perfect means “sinless.”

First, it declares Christ’s sinlessness:

“[He] was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
—Hebrews 4:15

Then it says He was “made perfect”:

“…to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”
—Hebrews 2:10

“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation…”
—Hebrews 5:8–9

Now be ruthlessly logical:

If perfect means “morally sinless,” then “made perfect” would imply Jesus became sinless over time—which Scripture explicitly denies.

So Scripture forces the conclusion for us:

“Made perfect” cannot mean “made sinless.”
It means brought to completion—fully qualified through obedient suffering to accomplish His mission as Savior and High Priest. Perfect as in finished, fitted, completed for the work.

That’s not a minor nuance. That is the Bible refusing our definition at gunpoint.

And once Hebrews settles that, the “sinless perfection” accusation collapses—because it depends on a definition Scripture itself will not allow.

Scripture assumes believers stumble—while forbidding sin’s reign

The Bible is not confused about the ongoing reality of stumbling. It doesn’t treat repentance as a one-time door you walk through and then throw away.

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves…
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us…
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar…”
—1 John 1:8–10

And:

“In many things we all offend.”
—James 3:2

So yes—believers can stumble. Believers do stumble. Confession stays normal.

And here’s the distinction people blur (often on purpose):

Scripture distinguishes between sin present, sin confessed, and sin defended as lord. I’m arguing against the last one.

That’s why Romans can say:

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
—Romans 6:14

So the biblical claim is not: “no sin present.”
It’s this:

Christian maturity is not sinlessness; it is refusing sin the right to rule.
Perfection is not never falling—it’s refusing to defend the fall as home.

Why the accusation shows up: it dodges the real issue

“Sinless perfection” is a convenient accusation because it changes the subject.

Instead of dealing with what Scripture actually presses—obedience, repentance, dominion, maturity—people throw an impossible standard into the conversation and then act courageous for rejecting it.

It’s a distraction dressed up as discernment.

So let me make it inescapable:

The question is not, “Do you ever sin?”
The question is, “When you sin, what do you do with it?”

• Do you confess and return—quick, clean, honest?
• Or do you justify and protect—rename it, manage it, domesticate it?

And one necessary reassurance, because tender consciences hear everything like a threat:

If you’re fighting and returning, this is not aimed at you.

This is aimed at the use of “nobody’s perfect” as a shelter for what you refuse to surrender.

Are you fighting sin as an enemy… or hosting it as a roommate?

That’s the issue the smoke grenade is trying to hide.

Grace does not demand you become God.
Grace demands you stop arguing for what enslaves you—and start believing God can actually make you whole.

See Also:

• Nobody is Perfect
• Perfect on Purpose
• Perfect in Practice
• Grace Hijacked
• Facets of Grace