Matthew 5:48 is studied here as a Biblical passage first: in its immediate King James context, through its recurring metaphysical themes, and through source-grounded readings preserved in Neville Goddard's lectures and books.
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Read the Passage in Context
- Matthew 5:47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
- Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Open Matthew 5:48 in the YHWSA Bible workspace for the complete chapter, word tools, notes, and comparisons.
Key Metaphysical Themes
- Perfection
- Father In Heaven
- Risen Body
- Transformation
- Inner State
- Father
- Divine Destiny
- Potential
- Redemption
- The Fall
- Telos
- Reproduce The Original
Neville’s Reading in Awake O Sleeper 2
This command is fulfilled when one experiences the risen body of glory, where one's perfect state automatically transforms everything in their world to conform to that perfection.
Be ye perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
Source: Awake O Sleeper 2
Neville’s Reading in Consigned To Disobedience
This command is a divine imperative for humanity to achieve the same state of perfection as God the Father, implying that this is the ultimate destiny and potential of every individual.
Be ye perfect, as your Father in Heaven is perfect.”
Source: Consigned To Disobedience
Neville’s Reading in Eternity Within
Neville quotes Jesus' command to be perfect, interpreting it as the ultimate state of humanity after the 'Messiah's banquet' and the redemption from the Fall, where all imperfections are removed.
Everyone was made perfect, for “You must be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
Source: Eternity Within
Neville’s Reading in His Purpose
The 'end' of the divine drama (telos) is to achieve perfection by reproducing the 'Original' (God the Father) within oneself, becoming fully formed as Christ.
The word end is telos, which simply means perfect – being “perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.” It means to actually reproduce the original. Now, the Original is God the Father.
Source: His Purpose
Neville’s Reading in Spiritual Sensation
This command is fulfilled when the individual, as Spirit, perfects the imperfections of humanity through their awakened consciousness, realizing their identity as the Father.
Then these words came to my mind: "Be ye perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect."
Source: Spiritual Sensation
Neville’s Reading in The Divine Body
The perfection referred to in this verse is embodied in the Divine Body, which is Heaven itself. When clothed in this body, everything in one's presence becomes perfect.
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!
Source: The Divine Body
Practical Reflection
- Strive for an inner state of perfection, knowing that as you embody this perfection, your outer world will naturally align with it without conscious effort to change external circumstances.
- Hold the vision of your ultimate perfection, knowing that you are destined to become as perfect as the Father, and all experiences are leading you to this state.
- Striving for perfection is not a moral endeavor but an ultimate state of being achieved when one is clothed in the Divine Body, which inherently perfects its environment.
- Strive for spiritual perfection by allowing the 'spiritual body' to be reduced to a 'molten state,' which is a transformative process leading to the divine image.
Authoritative Neville Sources
YHWSA provides the Biblical workspace. MyNevilleGoddard.com preserves the complete source works behind the Neville-specific readings.
- Awake O Sleeper 2 (lecture)
- Consigned To Disobedience (lecture)
- Eternity Within (lecture)
- His Purpose (lecture)
- Spiritual Sensation (lecture)
- The Divine Body (lecture)
Questions about Matthew 5:48
What is the metaphysical meaning of Matthew 5:48?
YHWSA reads Matthew 5:48 in its Biblical context while examining the states of consciousness and spiritual themes expressed by the passage.
Where can I read Matthew 5:48 in context?
Open the linked YHWSA Bible workspace to read the complete chapter and use its language, note, and comparison tools.
Where did Neville Goddard discuss Matthew 5:48?
The source list links to the complete lectures and books on MyNevilleGoddard.com rather than reproducing those works as a competing article.