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 Affection

The 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 Loved

The 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 Believers

The 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 Loved

Being "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.

Conclusion

The 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.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.

DEAR; DEARLY

der, der'-li ("held at a great price," "highly valued"): In Acts 20:24, Paul does not hold his life "dear" (timios, "at a price"); compare 1 Corinthians 3:12, "costly stones"; 1 Peter 1:19, "precious blood." Luke 7:2, the servant was "dear" to the centurion (entimos, "highly prized"; compare Philippians 2:29 1 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

27. agapetos -- beloved
... beloved, dear. From agapao; beloved -- (dearly, well) beloved, dear. see GREEK
agapao. (agapeta) -- 2 Occurrences. (agapete) -- 3 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/27.htm - 8k

4375. prosphiles -- pleasing, agreeable
... an adjective, derived from 4314 , "extending toward" and 5368 , "affectionate caring")
-- properly, worthy of personal affection; hence, dearly prized, ie ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4375.htm - 7k

3033. yediduth -- love
... dearly beloved. From ydiyd; properly, affection; concretely, a darling object --
dearly beloved. see HEBREW ydiyd. 3032, 3033. yediduth. 3034 . ...
/hebrew/3033.htm - 6k

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 ...
/hebrew/157.htm - 6k

But after the Passing of this Saint, Richard, So Dearly Beloved by ...
... HERE BEGIN THE MIRACLES OF THE BLESSED HERMIT RICHARD. LECTION I But after
the passing of this saint, Richard, so dearly beloved by God? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/lection i but after the.htm

Ci to My Most Merciful, My Most Loving, and Dearly-Loved Redeemer
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CI To my most merciful, my most
loving, and dearly-loved REDEEMER. To my most merciful, my ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/ci to my most merciful.htm

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 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xxxix on lent i.htm

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, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy ...
/.../homily i 2 timothy i.htm

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 ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon ix upon the collections.htm

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 ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon iii on his birthday.htm

(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 ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon lxxiv on the lords.htm

(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 ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon lxxiii on the lords.htm

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 ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon lxxxiv concerning the.htm

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 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xci on the fast.htm

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. ...
/d/dearly.htm - 16k

Dearly-loved (20 Occurrences)
Dearly-loved. Dearly, Dearly-loved. Dearth . Multi-Version Concordance
Dearly-loved (20 Occurrences). Mark 12:6 He had ...
/d/dearly-loved.htm - 12k

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. ...
/d/dear.htm - 37k

Well-pleased (11 Occurrences)
... Well-pleased (11 Occurrences). Matthew 3:17 And a voice came out of heaven, saying,
This is my dearly loved Son, with whom I am well pleased. (See NAS). ...
/w/well-pleased.htm - 9k

Delight (213 Occurrences)
... Delight (213 Occurrences). Matthew 3:17 while a voice came from Heaven, saying,
"This is My Son, the dearly loved, in whom is My delight." (WEY DBY YLT). ...
/d/delight.htm - 40k

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 ...
/b/beloved.htm - 40k

Friends (152 Occurrences)
... Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my dearly-loved friends, as I have always found you
obedient, labour earnestly with fear and trembling--not merely as though I were ...
/f/friends.htm - 38k

Darling (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) One dearly beloved; a favorite. 2. (a.) Dearly
beloved; regarded with especial kindness and tenderness; favorite. Int. ...
/d/darling.htm - 10k

Primogeniture
... conveyed by the Hebrew bekhor is manifested in its figurative use: of Israel (Exodus
4:22), of Ephraim (Jeremiah 31:9), of one dearly beloved (Zechariah 12:10 ...
/p/primogeniture.htm - 13k

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