Topical Encyclopedia The term "wholly" in the biblical context often signifies completeness, totality, or entire devotion. It is used to describe actions, commitments, or states of being that are fully dedicated or complete in nature. This concept is significant in understanding the nature of faith, obedience, and devotion as depicted in the Scriptures.Old Testament Usage In the Old Testament, the idea of being "wholly" devoted or committed is frequently associated with the covenant relationship between God and His people. For instance, in Deuteronomy 6:5, the Israelites are commanded to love the LORD their God with all their heart, soul, and strength, indicating a total and undivided devotion: "And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." The concept of being wholly devoted is also evident in the lives of individuals who are commended for their complete faithfulness to God. Caleb, for example, is described as having "wholly followed the LORD" (Numbers 14:24), which set him apart and earned him a special inheritance in the Promised Land. New Testament Usage In the New Testament, the call to be wholly committed to God is reiterated through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus emphasizes the necessity of complete devotion in passages such as Matthew 22:37, where He reiterates the greatest commandment: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." The apostle Paul also speaks to the idea of being wholly dedicated to God in his letters. In 1 Thessalonians 5:23 , Paul prays for the Thessalonians, saying, "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." Here, the notion of being wholly sanctified underscores the comprehensive nature of Christian holiness and readiness for Christ's return. Theological Implications The concept of being "wholly" devoted to God carries significant theological implications. It underscores the call for believers to live lives that are fully surrendered to God's will, reflecting His holiness and righteousness. This total commitment is not merely an external adherence to religious practices but an internal transformation that affects every aspect of a believer's life. In the biblical narrative, those who are wholly devoted to God often experience His favor and blessings, as seen in the lives of individuals like Caleb and the early Christians. This total devotion is both a response to God's love and a reflection of His character, calling believers to a life of complete faithfulness and obedience. Practical Application For contemporary believers, the call to be wholly devoted to God remains relevant. It challenges Christians to examine their lives and ensure that their faith is not compartmentalized but permeates every area of their existence. This involves a wholehearted commitment to God's commands, a deep love for Him, and a willingness to follow His leading in all aspects of life. In summary, the biblical concept of being "wholly" devoted to God is a profound call to complete and undivided allegiance to Him, reflecting a life transformed by His grace and committed to His purposes. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (adv.) In a whole or complete manner; entirely; completely; perfectly.2. (adv.) To the exclusion of other things; totally; fully. Greek 1818. exapatao -- to seduce wholly, deceive ... to seduce wholly, deceive. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: exapatao Phonetic Spelling: (ex-ap-at-ah'-o) Short Definition: I deceive thoroughly Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1818.htm - 7k 1550. ekdapanao -- to expend wholly, ie to exhaust 2468. isthi -- agree, give thyself wholly to. 1552. ekdelos -- wholly evident 3654. holos -- altogether, assuredly 4780. sugkalupto -- to cover completely 2712. kateidolos -- full of idols 1630. ekphobos -- terrified 3651. holoteles -- complete, perfect 1843. exomologeo -- to agree, confess Strong's Hebrew 7965. shalom -- completeness, soundness, welfare, peace... 3), rose (1), safe (2), safely (7), safety (6), secure (1), state (1), trusted (1), welfare (14), well (17), well-being (5), who were at peace (1), wholly (1). ... /hebrew/7965.htm - 6k 3632. kalil -- entire, whole, a holocaust 6942. qadash -- to be set apart or consecrated 4390. male -- to be full, to fill 4357. miklah -- completeness, perfection 5352. naqah -- to be empty or clean 3605. kol -- the whole, all 3615. kalah -- to be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished ... 5414. nathan -- to give, put, set 7760. sum -- to put, place, set Library Whether God Can be Loved Wholly Whether God Can be Loved Wholly? [*Cf. Q , a ] A Religion that is not Wholly Built Upon this Supernatural Ground. ... Each Wholly in One... The Doctrine of Mathematicians not Wholly to be Despised, when ... Predestination to Eternal Life is Wholly of God's Free Grace. God by Love Wholly Ministereth to Others Accordingly this Precedent is Wholly Without Bearing on the Matter ... That Man Knoweth not Himself Wholly. Everywhere God Wholly Filleth all Things, but Neither Heaven nor ... Thesaurus Wholly (67 Occurrences)...Wholly (67 Occurrences). ... John 9:34 "You," they replied, "were wholly begotten and born in sin, and do *you* teach *us*?" And they put him out of the synagogue. ... /w/wholly.htm - 26k Wholeheartedly (15 Occurrences) Jephun'neh (16 Occurrences) Devote (36 Occurrences) Clean (298 Occurrences) Wholesome (10 Occurrences) Virgin (62 Occurrences) Susanna (1 Occurrence) Birth (357 Occurrences) Libraries Resources Why did Joshua curse Jericho in Joshua 6:26? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is the humanity of Jesus important? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about integrity? | GotQuestions.org Wholly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Wholly (67 Occurrences)Luke 11:36 Luke 13:11 John 9:34 John 13:10 Acts 9:36 Acts 17:16 1 Corinthians 5:10 1 Thessalonians 5:23 1 Timothy 4:15 1 Timothy 6:5 Philemon 1:15 Jude 1:19 Exodus 19:18 Leviticus 6:22 Leviticus 6:23 Leviticus 11:3 Leviticus 19:9 Leviticus 23:22 Numbers 3:9 Numbers 4:6 Numbers 8:16 Numbers 17:13 Numbers 21:2 Numbers 32:11 Numbers 32:12 Deuteronomy 1:36 Deuteronomy 13:16 Deuteronomy 14:6 Deuteronomy 16:15 Joshua 3:16 Joshua 14:8 Joshua 14:9 Joshua 14:14 1 Samuel 7:9 1 Kings 8:61 1 Kings 11:4 1 Kings 11:6 1 Kings 15:3 1 Kings 15:14 2 Kings 11:18 2 Kings 25:15 Job 19:13 Job 21:23 Psalms 73:19 Psalms 77:8 Psalms 119:128 Proverbs 16:33 Song of Songs 5:16 Isaiah 10:23 Isaiah 14:31 Isaiah 22:1 Isaiah 28:22 Isaiah 38:16 Jeremiah 2:21 Jeremiah 6:6 Jeremiah 13:19 Jeremiah 42:15 Jeremiah 46:28 Jeremiah 48:38 Jeremiah 50:13 Ezekiel 11:15 Daniel 9:27 Daniel 11:16 Amos 7:2 Amos 8:8 Amos 9:5 Habakkuk 1:9 Subtopics Related Terms |