Topical Encyclopedia
Loyalty is a profound biblical virtue that signifies steadfastness, faithfulness, and unwavering commitment to God, His commandments, and His people. The concept of loyalty is woven throughout the Scriptures, illustrating the importance of remaining true to one's commitments and relationships, both divine and human.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, loyalty is often depicted in the context of covenant relationships. God's covenant with Israel is a prime example, where He promises to be their God, and they are to be His people. This covenant requires Israel's loyalty, as seen in
Deuteronomy 6:5 : "And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Here, loyalty is expressed through love and obedience to God.
The account of Ruth is a poignant illustration of human loyalty. Ruth's devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi is captured in
Ruth 1:16 : "But Ruth replied: 'Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.'" Ruth's loyalty is rewarded by God, as she becomes an ancestor of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, loyalty is exemplified in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus calls His followers to a higher standard of loyalty, one that surpasses familial and societal ties. In
Matthew 10:37 , Jesus states, "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me." This call to loyalty emphasizes the primacy of allegiance to Christ above all else.
The Apostle Paul also speaks to the theme of loyalty in his epistles. In
1 Corinthians 4:2 , he writes, "Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." Here, faithfulness, a synonym for loyalty, is a key requirement for those entrusted with God's work. Paul himself exemplifies loyalty through his unwavering commitment to spreading the Gospel, despite facing persecution and hardship.
Loyalty in RelationshipsLoyalty is not only directed towards God but also extends to human relationships.
Proverbs 17:17 states, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." This verse highlights the importance of loyalty in friendships and familial bonds, where true loyalty is demonstrated through support and love in times of trouble.
Marriage is another relationship where loyalty is paramount. The covenant of marriage is a reflection of God's covenant with His people, requiring mutual faithfulness and commitment.
Ephesians 5:31 underscores this, saying, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."
Divine LoyaltyGod's loyalty to His people is a central theme in the Bible. Despite Israel's frequent unfaithfulness, God remains loyal to His covenant promises.
Lamentations 3:22-23 beautifully captures this divine loyalty: "Because of the LORD’s loving devotion we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!" God's unwavering loyalty serves as the ultimate model for human loyalty.
In summary, loyalty in the Bible is a multifaceted virtue that encompasses faithfulness to God, steadfastness in human relationships, and a reflection of God's own unwavering commitment to His people. It is a call to live a life of integrity, devotion, and love, mirroring the loyalty that God Himself demonstrates.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Faithful to law; upholding the lawful authority; faithful and true to the lawful government; faithful to the prince or sovereign to whom one is subject; unswerving in allegiance.
2. (a.) True to any person or persons to whom one owes fidelity, especially as a wife to her husband, lovers to each other, and friend to friend; constant; faithful to a cause or a principle.
Greek
4243. presbeuo -- to be the elder, to take precedence... This term is used in the ancient phrase, "I am to the Emperor, I am an " (Souter) --
ie as someone respected as trustworthy (
loyal, knowledgeable), especially
...Strong's Hebrew
2617a. chesed -- goodness, kindness... 1), faithfulness (1), favor (2), good (1), kindly (7), kindness (32), kindnesses
(1), loveliness (1), lovingkindness (176), lovingkindnesses (7),
loyal deeds (1
...Library
ALoyal Vow
... THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL ALOYAL VOW.... And, remember, the more rebels there are,
the more need for us to be conspicuouslyloyal to our King. III....
ALoyal Tribute
... THE ACTS CHAP. XIII TO END ALOYAL TRIBUTE. [Footnote: Preached on the
occasion of the Jubilee of Queen Victoria.] '..Seeing that...
Loyal to the Core
...Loyal to the Core. A Sermon (No.1512). Delivered by. CH SPURGEON,. At the
Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. "And Ittai answered the...
The Perfect Heart.
... 1. A heart perfect in its loyalty to God, thoroughly given over to God's side,
irrespective of consequences,"loyal.... David wasloyal to God....
The Letter of Majesty, 1603-1609.
... pastors {1602-3.}, and sent a body of armed men to close the Brethren's Houses at
Jungbunzlau; and then, having disgusted two-thirds of hisloyal subjects, he...
Wesley visits Holland
... But as Mr.Loyal, the minister of the Scotch congregation, had invited
me, be gave up his claim and went with us to Mr.Loyal's....
Preaching (ii. ).
... I mean, the simple motive of aloyal and faithful considerateness for others, as
we are on the one hand Christian men and English gentlemen, and on the other...
Meeting the Lions
... It will be that way in our lives. If we are true andloyal to God, that very loyalty
is sure to bring us trials sometimes. Daniel had his choice in the matter....
The Fifth
... not right with David. He remainedloyal when Absalom rebelled; but he took
part in the treason of Adonijah. Ahithophel is not there...
Jehoshaphat
... of whom he was a contemporary for many years. Jehoshaphat himself wasloyal
to God. He "sought not unto Baalim; but sought to the...
Thesaurus
Loyal (15 Occurrences)... a principle. Multi-Version Concordance
Loyal (15 Occurrences). Matthew
24:45 "Who therefore is the
loyal and intelligent servant
...Loyally (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In aloyal manner; faithfully. Multi-Version
Concordance Loyally (6 Occurrences). Colossians 4:11...
Asmoneans
... They belonged to that portion of the Jewish nation which under all trials and
temptations remainedloyal to Yahweh, even when the national life and religion...
Testaments
... the surrender of Jerusalem. But the Jews, taught by bitter experience,
desired to remainloyal to Persia. As Alexander approached...
Between (2624 Occurrences)
... the surrender of Jerusalem. But the Jews, taught by bitter experience,
desired to remainloyal to Persia. As Alexander approached...
Persecution (22 Occurrences)
... 5. A Means of Blessing: It would be a sure means of gaining a blessing, whenever
it came to Hisloyal followers when they were in the way of well-doing; and He...
Kareah (14 Occurrences)
... Bald, the father of Johanan and Jonathan, who for a time wereloyal to Gedaliah,
the Babylonian governor of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 40:8, 13, 15, 16). Int....
Jezreel (37 Occurrences)
... It remainedloyal to the house of Saul, and is mentioned as part of the kingdom
over which Abner set Ishbosheth (2 Samuel 2:9). From Jezreel came the tidings...
Lovingkindness (176 Occurrences)
... thy God continually." Cheyne (Encyclopedia Biblica) regards checedh as denoting
paternal affection on God's part, answered by filial andloyal affection and...
Loyalty (18 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The state or quality of beingloyal; fidelity
to a superior, or to duty, love, etc. Multi-Version Concordance...
Resources
Why was David so loyal to Saul after everything Saul had done to him? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the account of Potiphar's wife? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about loyalty? | GotQuestions.orgLoyal: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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