Neville Goddard on Matthew 5:48

Executive Summary

According to Neville Goddard, the scriptural command to "be ye perfect" is not a call to moral flawlessness but a description of a destined, ultimate state. The word 'perfect' is interpreted from the Greek 'telos,' meaning 'the end' or 'the climax.' This end is the faithful reproduction of God, the Original, within man. This divine purpose culminates in the individual being clothed in a perfect, self-sustained spiritual body, which is Heaven itself.

Key Concepts

• Perfect as 'Telos': The word 'perfect' in this context means 'telos'—the end, the climax, or the fulfillment of a purpose.
• Reproduction of the Original: The purpose being fulfilled is for God, the Original, to faithfully reproduce Himself in every individual. God became man so that man may become God.
• The Divine Body: This state of perfection is equated with a self-sustained, perfect divine body. To be clothed in this body is to be perfect, and this body is Heaven itself.

Detailed Explanation

Neville Goddard reinterprets the instruction “Be ye perfect, as your Father in Heaven is perfect” away from a command for moral purity. Instead, he explains that the key is the Greek word 'telos,' which is translated as 'perfect.' 'Telos' means the end, the purpose, or the climax of a process. Therefore, the verse is not telling man to strive for flawlessness in his current state, but is describing the ultimate destiny that is already prepared.

The purpose, or 'telos,' is for God to reproduce Himself in man. God is the Original, and He became man with the express purpose of transforming man into God. This process is the divine play, where God conceives the plan and then actually becomes human to prepare the way for humanity's return to Godhood. The 'perfection' is achieved when this reproduction is faithfully completed.

This perfected state has a tangible, experiential component. It is described as being clothed in a divine body that is self-sustained, needing no substance from without. This body is perfection itself. When one wears this body, they are perfect, and because the body itself is Heaven, wherever they go is Heaven. This is the culmination of the divine history placed within man, the end toward which all of creation moves.

Important Quotes

So, when you read in Scripture, “Be ye perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect,” (Matthew 5:48) it is that body. And that is Heaven itself!

— The Divine Body

The word end is telos, which simply means perfect – being “perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) It means to actually reproduce the original.

— His Purpose

Now we are told, “Be ye perfect, as your Father in Heaven is perfect,” [Matthew 5:48]. The word “perfect” is “telos,” which means “the end.” It comes at the climax. It means to reproduce faithfully the original.

— Who Is The Real Messiah

Related Concepts

This interpretation is central to Neville's teaching on The Promise. The 'perfection' or 'telos' is the fulfillment of God's promise to Himself in man, the climax of the divine story. It is the ultimate awakening of the I AM within, when the individual realizes he is the God who conceived the entire play. God became man—your own wonderful human imagination—so that you, man, may become God. This is the end state, the purpose that was set from the beginning.

Common Misunderstandings

The primary misunderstanding is to interpret “be ye perfect” as a moral instruction to eliminate all human flaws and live a sinless life. The source material makes it clear that this is not about behavior but about the fulfillment of a divine, predetermined plan. It refers to a state of being and a spiritual transformation, not an ethical standard to be achieved through effort.

Practical Applications

The application of this teaching is not to strive for moral perfection but to understand the divine purpose unfolding within you. It is to recognize that your journey as a human is part of a grander play where God is reproducing Himself as you. This understanding shifts focus from correcting external behavior to an inner awareness of your ultimate divine identity and destiny.

Frequently Asked Questions

According to Neville, does 'be ye perfect' mean I have to be sinless?

No. Neville explains that 'perfect' comes from the Greek 'telos,' meaning 'the end' or 'the climax.' It refers to the fulfillment of God's purpose of reproducing Himself in you, not a command to be morally flawless.

What is the 'original' that is being reproduced?

The 'Original' is God the Father. The entire purpose of the divine plan is for God to faithfully reproduce Himself in each individual, so that man may become as God is.

What is the 'divine body' Neville connects to this verse?

The divine body is a perfect, self-sustained spiritual form. To be clothed in this body is to be perfect. Neville states that this body is Heaven itself, so wherever one is in that body is Heaven.