Topical Encyclopedia
The term "dearly" is often used in the context of expressing deep affection, love, or value. In the Bible, it is frequently associated with the profound love that God has for His people and the love that believers are called to have for one another. The concept of being "dearly loved" is central to understanding the relational dynamics between God and humanity, as well as among believers.
Divine Love and AffectionThe Bible emphasizes God's deep love for His creation, particularly for those who are in Christ. This love is not merely a passive feeling but an active, sacrificial commitment. In
Ephesians 5:1-2 , believers are exhorted to "be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God." Here, the term "dearly loved" underscores the intimate and cherished relationship between God and His children, highlighting the sacrificial nature of Christ's love as the ultimate expression of divine affection.
Believers as Dearly LovedThe New Testament frequently refers to believers as "dearly loved" or "beloved," indicating their special status in God's eyes.
Colossians 3:12 instructs, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." This passage not only affirms the believers' identity as cherished by God but also calls them to embody virtues that reflect their divine calling.
Interpersonal Love Among BelieversThe concept of being "dearly loved" extends to the relationships among believers. The love that God has for His people is meant to be mirrored in the love they show to one another. In
1 Thessalonians 2:8 , the Apostle Paul expresses his affection for the Thessalonian church, saying, "We cared so deeply that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our own lives as well. That is how dearly we love you." This verse illustrates the depth of relational commitment and the sharing of life that characterizes Christian fellowship.
The Cost of Being Dearly LovedBeing "dearly loved" by God comes with the responsibility of living in a manner worthy of that love.
Romans 12:1 urges believers, "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." The call to live sacrificially is a response to the profound love and mercy that God has shown, reflecting the believer's gratitude and devotion.
ConclusionThe term "dearly" in the biblical context conveys a sense of deep, abiding love and value. It is a reminder of the profound love that God has for His people and the love that believers are called to exhibit in their relationships with one another. This love is not only a feeling but a commitment to live in a way that honors God and reflects His love to the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
adv.) In a dear manner; with affection; heartily; earnestly; as, to love one dearly.
2. (adv.) At a high rate or price; grievously.
3. (adv.) Exquisitely.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
DEAR; DEARLYder, der'-li ("held at a great price," "highly valued"): InActs 20:24, Paul does not hold his life "dear" (timios, "at a price"); compare1 Corinthians 3:12, "costly stones";1 Peter 1:19, "precious blood."Luke 7:2, the servant was "dear" to the centurion (entimos, "highly prized"; comparePhilippians 2:291 Peter 2:6).1 Thessalonians 2:8, "very dear to us" (agapetos, "beloved"). In the Revised Version (British and American), agapetos is generally translated "beloved." "Dearly" before "beloved" of the King James Version is omitted in all passages in the Revised Version (British and American). The word "dear" occurs but once in the Old Testament, namely,Jeremiah 31:20. the Revised Version (British and American) correctly changes "dear Son" of the King James Version (Colossians 1:13) into "the Son of his love."
H. E. Jacobs
Greek
27. agapetos -- beloved... beloved, dear. From agapao; beloved -- (
dearly, well) beloved, dear. see GREEK
agapao. (agapeta) -- 2 Occurrences. (agapete) -- 3 Occurrences.
...4375. prosphiles -- pleasing, agreeable
... an adjective, derived from 4314 , "extending toward" and 5368 , "affectionate caring")
-- properly, worthy of personal affection; hence,dearly prized, ie...
Strong's Hebrew
3033. yediduth -- love...dearly beloved. From ydiyd; properly, affection; concretely, a darling object --
dearly beloved. see HEBREW ydiyd. 3032, 3033. yediduth. 3034 .
...157. aheb -- to love
... root Definition to love NASB Word Usage beloved (1),dearly love (1), friend (5),
friends (6), love (88), loved (53), lover (1), lovers (16), loves (42...
Library
But after the Passing of this Saint, Richard, SoDearly Beloved by...
... HERE BEGIN THE MIRACLES OF THE BLESSED HERMIT RICHARD. LECTION I But after
the passing of this saint, Richard, sodearly beloved by God?...
Ci to My Most Merciful, My Most Loving, andDearly-Loved Redeemer
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CI To my most merciful, my most
loving, anddearly-loved REDEEMER. To my most merciful, my...
On Lent, I.
... And so we too,dearly beloved, who are set in the midst of many oppositions and
conflicts, may be cured by a little carefulness, if only we will use the same...
2 Timothy i. 1, 2
... "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of
life which is in Jesus Christ, to Timothy, mydearly beloved son: Grace, mercy...
Upon the Collections , iv.
... God's mercy and justice,dearly-beloved, has in loving-kindness disclosed to us
through our Lord Jesus Christ's teaching, the manner of His retributions, as...
On his Birthday, iii: Delivered on the Anniversary of his...
... As often as God's mercy deigns to bring round the day of His gifts to us, there
is,dearly-beloved, just and reasonable cause for rejoicing, if only our...
(On the Lord's Ascension, ii. )
... The mystery of our salvation,dearly-beloved, which the Creator of the universe
valued at the price of His blood, has now been carried out under conditions of...
(On the Lord's Ascension, I. )
... the Divine power in three days raised the true Temple of God, which the wickedness
of the Jews had overthrown, the sacred forty days,dearly-beloved, are to...
Concerning the Neglect of the Commemoration.
... The fewness of those who were present has of itself shown,dearly-beloved, that
the religious devotion wherewith, in commemoration of the day of our...
On the Fast of the Seventh Month, vi.
... the body. There is nothing,dearly-beloved, in which the Divine Providence
does not assist the devotions of the faithful. For the...
Thesaurus
Dearly (30 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) In a dear manner; with affection; heartily;
earnestly; as, to love one
dearly.
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DEAR;
DEARLY.
...Dearly-loved (20 Occurrences)
Dearly-loved.Dearly,Dearly-loved. Dearth . Multi-Version Concordance
Dearly-loved (20 Occurrences). Mark 12:6 He had...
Dear (120 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) A dear one; lover; sweetheart. 8. (adv.)Dearly; at a high price. 9.
(vt) To endear. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DEAR;DEARLY....
Well-pleased (11 Occurrences)
... Well-pleased (11 Occurrences). Matthew 3:17 And a voice came out of heaven, saying,
This is mydearly loved Son, with whom I am well pleased. (See NAS)....
Delight (213 Occurrences)
... Delight (213 Occurrences). Matthew 3:17 while a voice came from Heaven, saying,
"This is My Son, thedearly loved, in whom is My delight." (WEY DBY YLT)....
Beloved (117 Occurrences)
... Agapetos rendered as above 47 times is 9 times "dearly beloved" (the Revised Version
(British and American) uniformly omits "dearly") and 3 times "well beloved...
Friends (152 Occurrences)
... Philippians 2:12 Therefore, mydearly-loved friends, as I have always found you
obedient, labour earnestly with fear and trembling--not merely as though I were...
Darling (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) Onedearly beloved; a favorite. 2. (a.)Dearly
beloved; regarded with especial kindness and tenderness; favorite. Int....
Primogeniture
... conveyed by the Hebrew bekhor is manifested in its figurative use: of Israel (Exodus
4:22), of Ephraim (Jeremiah 31:9), of onedearly beloved (Zechariah 12:10...
Resources
What is the meaning of beloved in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about attitude? | GotQuestions.orgShould Christians support the nation of Israel? | GotQuestions.orgDearly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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