Perfect

(Proverbs 4:18 KJV)  But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

I noticed a difference in translation between the KJV and the NASB that I thought was interesting.  The KJV uses “perfect” (3559) while the NASB uses “full”.  It caught my eye because I come from a theological persuasion that uses the terms “perfect love” and “perfection” in statements of doctrine.  Often we are criticized for using the word and usually the criticism is because others use their definition of the word rather than the Biblical one.  If you will excuse the slight of tongue, perfect does not mean perfect.

I know that sounds like the often mocked statement, “That depends on what the meaning of “is” is.”  It is not, because we see the same pattern in the Old Testament and the New Testament.  In both cases the word has the impact of things being at the goal.  They do not mean there are no rough edges or a seam out of place.  It means that the total picture presents the image intended.  Notice that it is the “day” (3117) that is perfect.  Somehow I can’t help believe that somewhere in that day there is an unhappy worm or a bit of dust on a counter.

So?  God is real and He deals with real people in real lives.  It is a perfect arrangement.