Our sins are (figuratively) nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14-15) with the word tetelsestai written on the charge sheet. 'It is finished;' 'It is paid in full.' And our entrance into this amazing grace is through faith.
First, let’s start with the myth that is often circulated (like the Christian myth of the candy cane) that τετέλεσται appeared on ancient notes to mean “paid in full”.
This was a popular misunderstanding among certain sects, but it has long been debunked.
Contrary to claims, the purported meaning “paid in full” for τετέλεσται is not found in any ancient Greek sources. It is not in literary works, papyri, or inscriptions. It is not found on ancient notes.
What is found on ancient notes? Τετελ (an abbreviated form of τετελώνηται) and τετελώνηται.
The notes where Τετελ or τετελώνηται appear indicate that something specific has been paid. It means “paid as taxes”.
On the other hand, Τετέλεσται is a word that means something has been finished or accomplished. This word is used to describe the completion of a project, construction, etc. It is NEVER used to refer to the payment of a debt.
While the error that τετέλεσται means “Paid in full” is attractive to some, and perhaps a harmless myth to others, it is based on a misreading of evidence and doesn’t fit the context well, and was never suggested before the twentieth century.
SO WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
By “It is finished (Τετέλεσται),” Jesus meant that He had fulfilled Scriptures.
In John 19:28-30 we read: “Jesus, knowing that all things were completed (τετέλεσται), that the Scripture might be fulfilled [τελειωθῇ, a form of τελειόω], said, “I am thirsty”… then when he had taken the sour wine, he said, “It is finished” [τετέλεσται].” Jesus was proclaiming the fulfillment of Scripture.
Martin Luther believed it had a dual meaning - the above meaning and that He had accomplished the work He came to do (I do not see a difference between these).
It is important because we can look back through the OT (the complete Scripture at that time) and see what Christ accomplished. We look at the Passover, at the sin offerings, at the guilt offerings.
The sacrifice is always an obedience while the act of the priest applying the blood is "making atonement for the sins of the people".
The lambs were killed in obedience but God prohibited the destroyer from entering thd home when He saw the blood applied on thw door posts.
He did not make atonement for us. He offered Himself in obedience as the Atoning Sacrifice, as the Guilt Offering.
This sacrifice of atonement would have to be applied - to be recieved by faith.
As Christians we do have extra-biblical understandings. This is a given (we are human). But we have to be very careful in knowing where Scripture ends and our understanding begins. We also have to be on guard against “old wives takes”, or myths that are false but if true would support our point.
I do not mean this to slight
@Martin Marprelate . He probably heard a preacher saying "it is finished" means "paid in full" as a young man, given the sect to which he belongs. But it is a false claim. One may see it on the internet today but it is not held by any scholar as it was disproven not long after the claim surfaced.
