Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:The term "sincerely" is often understood to mean acting or speaking in a genuine, honest, and heartfelt manner. In a biblical context, sincerity is closely associated with purity of heart, truthfulness, and integrity. It is a quality that is highly valued in the eyes of God, as it reflects a true and unfeigned devotion to Him and to others.
Biblical References:1.
Sincerity in Worship and Faith: Sincerity is a crucial aspect of worship and faith. God desires worship that comes from a sincere heart, free from hypocrisy or pretense. In
John 4:24, Jesus emphasizes the importance of worshiping "in spirit and truth," which implies a sincere and genuine approach to God. The Berean Standard Bible states, "God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth."
2.
Sincerity in Love: The Apostle Paul frequently speaks about the importance of sincere love among believers. In
Romans 12:9 , he exhorts, "Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good." This verse highlights that true Christian love is not merely an outward expression but must stem from a sincere heart that seeks the good of others.
3.
Sincerity in Speech and Conduct: Sincerity is also reflected in one's speech and actions. In
2 Corinthians 1:12 , Paul speaks of his conduct, saying, "For our boast is this: the testimony of our conscience that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God, not in worldly wisdom but in the grace of God." Here, sincerity is linked with holiness and divine grace, contrasting with worldly duplicity.
4.
Sincerity in Service: The Bible encourages believers to serve God and others with sincerity.
Ephesians 6:5-6 instructs, "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart." This passage underscores that sincere service is done as unto the Lord, not merely for human approval.
5.
Sincerity in Doctrine: The purity of doctrine is also a matter of sincerity. In
1 Timothy 1:5 , Paul writes, "The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith." Here, sincerity is linked with faith and love, indicating that true teaching leads to a life marked by these qualities.
Theological Implications:Sincerity is a reflection of the inner transformation that occurs through a relationship with Christ. It is not merely an external adherence to rules but a heartfelt commitment to living out one's faith authentically. The Bible consistently calls believers to examine their hearts and ensure that their motives align with God's truth and love. Sincerity, therefore, is both a gift from God and a responsibility for the believer, as it demonstrates the reality of one's faith and the work of the Holy Spirit within.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
adv.) In a sincere manner.
2. (adv.) Purely; without alloy.
3. (adv.) Honestly; unfeignedly; without dissimulation; as, to speak one's mind sincerely; to love virtue sincerely.
Greek
1104. gnesios --sincerely, truly...sincerely, truly. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: gnesios Phonetic Spelling:
(gnay-see'-ose) Short Definition: truly, genuinely, honorably,
sincerely...574. haplos -- simply,sincerely
... simply,sincerely. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: haplos Phonetic Spelling:
(hap-loce') Short Definition: simply,sincerely Definition: simply...
55. hagnos -- purely, with pure motives
... purely, with pure motives. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: hagnos Phonetic
Spelling: (hag-noce') Short Definition: purely,sincerely Definition: purely...
Strong's Hebrew
8549. tamim -- complete, sound... defect (36). without blemish, complete, full, perfect,
sincerely ity, sound,
without spot, undefiled,. From tamam; entire (literally
...1305. barar -- to purify, select
... 2), cleanse (1), pure you show (2), purge (2), purged (1), purified (1), purify
(1), select (1), sharpen (1), show yourself pure (2),sincerely (1), tested (1...
Library
Let those who Truly andSincerely Lead the Monastic Life be...
... Canon IV. Let those who truly andsincerely lead the monastic life be counted
worthy of becoming? Let those who truly andsincerely...
Christ's Different Modes of Reply to those who Questioned his...
... against those who had attacked him, and showed them their own deficiencies in true
righteousness, and their inferiority to thesincerely repentant publicans....
Luke xxiii. 42, 43
... a fair Opportunity of knowing the Truth concerning the Character of our blessed
Lord, and of hearing the Evidence of his Pretensions, didsincerely lay hold on...
Luke x. The Latter Part of the 25Th Verse.
... laid before you on this Head by all the plain, and intelligible Texts in the New
Testament concerning it, carefully laid together, andsincerely compared;) I...
Though in Almost Every Age There have Indeed Been in the Heathen...
... success, because they have been but very few that have in earnest set themselves
about this excellent work; and they that have indeedsincerely done it have...
Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity Paul's Thanks and Prayers for...
... 2. These words give us an exact delineation of the Christian heart thatsincerely
believes in the holy Gospel. Such hearts are rare in the world....
Instruction I
... The first instruction teaches us to confess, simply andsincerely, and
to search out the very depths of our hearts. Dear children...
To the Rev. A. Brandram
... I hopesincerely no further notice will be taken of this affair in the newspapers,
but to attempt to correct their errors would merely make bad worse....
Epistle Lxvi. To Theodorus, Physician.
... For these benefits what return is it in me to make, but to love their
footstepssincerely? But, on account of my sins, by whose...
It is Lawful for Every Christian to Choose the Life of Religious...
... As therefore the monastic method of life engraves upon us as on a tablet the life
of penitence, we receive [371] whoever approaches it [372]sincerely; nor is...
Thesaurus
Sincerely (8 Occurrences)... 3. (adv.) Honestly; unfeignedly; without dissimulation; as, to speak one's mind
sincerely; to love virtue
sincerely.
...Sincerely (8 Occurrences).
...Sincere (18 Occurrences)
... Four different words are rendered "sincere," "sincerely" "sincerity," in the New
Testament: adolos, "without guile," "unadulterated," "desire the sincere milk...
Sincerity (17 Occurrences)
... Four different words are rendered "sincere," "sincerely" "sincerity," in the New
Testament: adolos, "without guile," "unadulterated," "desire the sincere milk...
Bonds (46 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). Philippians 1:16 The one preach Christ of contention,
notsincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: (KJV WBS YLT)....
Uprightness (46 Occurrences)
... Job 33:3 My words shall utter the uprightness of my heart. That which my lips know
they shall speaksincerely. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)....
Lain (57 Occurrences)
... This was the disciple whom Jesussincerely loved, the one who had also leaned on
Jesus' breast at the supper and asked, "Lord, who is going to betray You...
Leaned (14 Occurrences)
... This was the disciple whom Jesussincerely loved, the one who had also leaned on
Jesus' breast at the supper and asked, "Lord, who is going to betray You...
Faction (4 Occurrences)
... Faction (4 Occurrences). Philippians 1:17 but the other proclaim Christ of faction,
notsincerely, thinking to raise up affliction for me in my bonds. (ASV)....
Truly (468 Occurrences)
... 3. (adv.)Sincerely; honestly; really; faithfully; as, to be truly attached to a
lover; the citizens are truly loyal to their prince or their country....
Entirely (39 Occurrences)
... 1. (adv.) In an entire manner; wholly; completely; fully; as, the trace is entirely
lost. 2. (adv.) Without alloy or mixture; truly;sincerely....
Resources
What does the Bible say about sincerity? | GotQuestions.orgWhy doesn't God heal everyone? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the argument from disbelief? | GotQuestions.orgSincerely: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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