The term "Finisher" is most prominently associated with Jesus Christ in the New Testament, specifically in the context of faith. The concept of Christ as the "Finisher" is derived from the Greek word "teleiōtēs," which signifies one who completes or perfects. This term is found in the Epistle to the Hebrews, where Jesus is described as the "author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). This passage highlights the role of Jesus not only as the initiator but also as the completer of the believer's faith journey.

Biblical Context

In Hebrews 12:2, the full verse reads: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." This verse is part of a larger exhortation encouraging believers to persevere in their faith by looking to Jesus as the ultimate example and source of strength. The imagery of Jesus as the "Finisher" underscores His divine role in bringing the believer's faith to its intended completion.

Theological Significance

Theologically, the concept of Jesus as the "Finisher" emphasizes the completeness and sufficiency of His work in the life of a believer. It suggests that faith is not merely a human endeavor but is initiated, sustained, and brought to completion by Christ Himself. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative of salvation, where Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection are seen as the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

The role of Jesus as the "Finisher" also speaks to the assurance of salvation. Believers can have confidence that the faith begun in them will be perfected by Christ, as He is both the source and the goal of their faith. This assurance is echoed in Philippians 1:6 , which states, "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Practical Implications

For the believer, understanding Jesus as the "Finisher" of faith has practical implications for daily living. It encourages a reliance on Christ for spiritual growth and maturity, recognizing that human effort alone is insufficient. This perspective fosters a sense of humility and dependence on divine grace, as believers are called to cooperate with the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Moreover, the concept of Jesus as the "Finisher" provides comfort and hope in times of trial and uncertainty. Knowing that Christ is actively involved in perfecting their faith, believers can endure hardships with the assurance that their faith will be brought to completion in accordance with God's purposes.

Related Concepts

The idea of Jesus as the "Finisher" is closely related to other biblical themes such as sanctification, perseverance, and the sovereignty of God in salvation. It complements the understanding of Jesus as the "Author" of faith, highlighting the comprehensive nature of His work in the believer's life. Additionally, it ties into the eschatological hope of the believer, as the completion of faith is ultimately realized in the return of Christ and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.1. (n.) One who finishes, puts an end to, completes, or perfects; esp. used in the trades, as in hatting, weaving, etc., for the workman who gives a finishing touch to the work, or any part of it, and brings it to perfection.

2. (n.) Something that gives the finishing touch to, or settles, anything.

FINISHER

fin'-ish-er (teleiotes):

This word is applied to Jesus (Hebrews 12:2), and comes from teleioo, "to complete," "to make perfect"; hence, it means finisher in the sense of completing; the King James Version "the author and finisher of our faith," the Revised Version (British and American) "the author (margin "captain") and perfecter of our faith"; but "our" is supplied, and in the connection in which the passage stands-after the examples which have been adduced of the power of faith-most probably the best rendering is "the Leader (or Captain) and Perfecter of the Faith," that is of the faith which has been illustrated by those mentioned in Hebrews 11, who are as "a great cloud of witnesses" to the power of faith; but above all "looking to Jesus, our Leader" in whom it was perfected, as is shown in what follows: "who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross," etc. "In His human nature He exhibited Faith in its highest form, from first to last, and placing Himself as it were at the head of the great army of heroes of Faith, He carried Faith, the source of their strength, to its most complete perfection and to its loftiest triumph" (Westcott).

W. L. Walker

5051. teleiotes -- a completer, finisher
... a completer, finisher. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: teleiotes
Phonetic Spelling: (tel-io-tace') Short Definition: a perfecter, completer ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5051.htm - 7k

The Founder and Finisher of the Temple
... ZECHARIAH THE FOUNDER AND FINISHER OF THE TEMPLE. 'The hands of Zerubbabel
have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the founder and finisher of.htm

March 26. "Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Our Faith" (Heb. xii. ...
... MARCH 26. "Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Heb. xii. 2). "Jesus,
the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /march 26 jesus the author.htm

Hebrews xi. 37, 38
... ( Ver.2 ) "Looking" (he says) "unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith";
The very thing which Christ Himself also continually said to His disciples ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxviii hebrews xi 37.htm

The Gaze of the Soul
... VII The Gaze of the Soul. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of
our faith."Heb.12:2. Let us think of our intelligent plain ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tozer/the pursuit of god/vii the gaze of the.htm

How Shall the Soul Make Use of Christ, as the Life, which is under ...
... 1. That Christ is "the author and finisher of faith," Hebrews 12:2; and so, as
he did rebuke unbelief at the first, he can rebuke it again. ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xxiv how shall the.htm

Sermon.
... Is this the port and haven, that thou art sailing to, "looking unto Jesus, the author
and finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before him ...
/.../penn/a sermon preached at the quakers meeting house/sermon.htm

Expositions of Holy Scripture
... THE RIGHT OF ENTRY. THE SOURCE OF POWER. THE FOUNDER AND FINISHER OF THE TEMPLE.
THE PRIEST OF THE WORLD AND KING OF MEN. MALACHI. A DIALOGUE WITH GOD. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/

Gladden -- the Prince of Life
... He is the Victor over death; and thus He becomes, in the impassioned confessions
of the apostle, the Alpha and the Omega, the Author and the Finisher of Faith ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/gladden the prince of.htm

The Gospel Feast
... And thus, throughout the course of His gracious dispensations from the beginning,
it may be said that the Author and Finisher of our faith has hid things from ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xii the gospel feast.htm

Home Occupations and Travels in England and Wales.
... of his love towards us; he has permitted that it should be blessed to us; for the
remembrance of you carries as towards Him who is the finisher of our faith ...
/.../chapter x home occupations and.htm

Finisher (1 Occurrence)
... anything. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FINISHER. fin ... Westcott). WL Walker.
Multi-Version Concordance Finisher (1 Occurrence). Hebrews ...
/f/finisher.htm - 8k

Forwarding (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) The process of putting a book into its cover, and making it ready for the
finisher. Multi-Version Concordance Forwarding (1 Occurrence). ...
/f/forwarding.htm - 7k

Finishes (1 Occurrence)

/f/finishes.htm - 6k

Closer (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One who, or that which, closes; specifically, a boot closer. See under
Boot. 2. (n.) A finisher; that which finishes or terminates. ...
/c/closer.htm - 8k

Author (5 Occurrences)
... author" in the following passages: (a) Hebrews 12:2, "looking unto Jesus, the author
[King James Version, Revised Version] and finisher [Revised Version ...
/a/author.htm - 10k

Perfection (30 Occurrences)
... guideth my way in perfectness' "; "shall himself perfect," margin "restore," for,
"make you perfect" (1 Peter 5:10); "perfecter" for "finisher" (Hebrews 12:2 ...
/p/perfection.htm - 25k

Perfect (205 Occurrences)
... guideth my way in perfectness' "; "shall himself perfect," margin "restore," for,
"make you perfect" (1 Peter 5:10); "perfecter" for "finisher" (Hebrews 12:2 ...
/p/perfect.htm - 47k

Captain (167 Occurrences)
... is preferred, this being the rendering of Hebrews 12:2 the King James Version and
the Revised Version (British and American), "author" (and finisher of our ...
/c/captain.htm - 53k

Finished (157 Occurrences)

/f/finished.htm - 36k

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