Topical Encyclopedia
The term "gladly" in the Bible often conveys a sense of joy, willingness, and eagerness in response to God's word, commands, or the presence of Jesus Christ. It reflects an attitude of the heart that is open and receptive to divine truth and guidance.
Biblical Usage and Context1.
Receptiveness to the Gospel: In the New Testament, the concept of receiving the word of God gladly is illustrated in the parable of the sower. Jesus describes those who hear the word and receive it with joy, though they may not have deep roots (
Mark 4:16). This highlights the initial enthusiasm and willingness to embrace the gospel message, though it also serves as a caution about the need for a deeper, enduring faith.
2.
Joyful Service: The attitude of serving God and others with gladness is a recurring theme in Scripture. The psalmist exhorts believers to "Serve the LORD with gladness; come into His presence with joyful songs" (
Psalm 100:2). This verse underscores the importance of approaching worship and service with a joyful heart, reflecting a genuine love for God.
3.
Generosity and Giving: The Apostle Paul, in his letters, emphasizes the importance of giving with a willing and cheerful heart. In
2 Corinthians 9:7 , he writes, "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver." This passage highlights the principle that giving should be done gladly, as an expression of gratitude and trust in God's provision.
4.
Suffering for Christ: The early Christians often faced persecution and hardship, yet they did so with a spirit of joy and willingness. In
Acts 5:41 , after being flogged for preaching the gospel, the apostles left the Sanhedrin "rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name." This demonstrates a profound gladness in being able to share in the sufferings of Christ, viewing it as an honor rather than a burden.
5.
Hospitality and Fellowship: The early church is described as a community that shared meals and fellowship with glad and sincere hearts (
Acts 2:46). This reflects the joy and unity that characterized the believers as they lived out their faith in community, supporting and encouraging one another.
Theological ImplicationsThe concept of "gladly" in the Bible is deeply connected to the believer's relationship with God. It signifies a heart that is aligned with God's will, finding joy in His presence, commands, and purposes. This attitude is not merely an emotional response but a deliberate choice to embrace God's ways with enthusiasm and gratitude. It challenges believers to examine their own hearts and attitudes, encouraging them to cultivate a spirit of joy and willingness in all aspects of their faith journey.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Preferably; by choice.
2. (a.) With pleasure; joyfully; cheerfully; eagerly.
Greek
2234. hedeos -- sweetly, gladly ... sweetly,
gladly. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: hedeos Phonetic Spelling:
(hay-deh'-oce) Short Definition:
gladly, pleasantly Definition:
gladly ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2234.htm - 6k780. asmenos -- gladly
... gladly. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: asmenos Phonetic Spelling:
(as-men'-oce) Short Definition: joyfully, with delight Definition: joyfully, with ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/780.htm - 6k
2236. hedista -- most gladly.
... 2235, 2236. hedista. 2237 . most gladly. Part of Speech: Adverb, Superlative
Transliteration: hedista Phonetic Spelling: (hay'-dis ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2236.htm - 6k
588. apodechomai -- to accept gladly, welcome
... to accept gladly, welcome. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: apodechomai Phonetic
Spelling: (ap-od-ekh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I receive, welcome ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/588.htm - 7k
1937. epithumeo -- desire, lust after
... from epi and thumos Definition desire, lust after NASB Word Usage covet (2), coveted
(1), craved (1), desire (1), desired (2), desires (1), gladly (1), long (3 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1937.htm - 8k
2106. eudokeo -- to think well of, ie to be well-pleased
... dokeo Definition to think well of, ie to be well-pleased NASB Word Usage am well
content (1), am well-pleased (5), been pleased (1), chosen gladly (1), good ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2106.htm - 8k
2309. thelo -- to will, wish
... considerations), ie Choose or prefer (literally or figuratively); by implication,
to wish, ie Be inclined to (sometimes adverbially, gladly); impersonally for ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2309.htm - 11k
5463. chairo -- to rejoice, be glad
... verb Definition to rejoice, be glad NASB Word Usage am glad (1), glad (7), gladly
(1), greeted* (1), greeting (2), greetings (4), hail (4), joyfully (1), make ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5463.htm - 10k
5043. teknon -- a child (of either sex)
... heavenly Father. 5043 () emphasizes the childlike ( child) that willingly
(gladly) submits to the Father's plan. We profoundly learn ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5043.htm - 7k
Library
"Most Gladly Therefore Will I Rather Glory in My Infirmities, that ...
... "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power
of Christ may rest upon me." " 2 Cor. 12:9. 10,10,10,10 ...
/.../waring/hymns and meditations/most gladly therefore will i.htm
And Gladly Does He Accept and Welcome this Sacrifice...
... Pronounced on the thirtieth anniversary of his reign. Chapter III. And
gladly does he accept and welcome this sacrifice? 1. And ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter iii and gladly does.htm
Jesus is Gladly Welcomed by the People
... THE NEW TESTAMENT JESUS IS GLADLY WELCOMED BY THE PEOPLE. As Jesus was leaving
Jericho with his disciples, followed by a large crowd ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus is gladly welcomed by.htm
Seventh Chapter
... aside your garment and chastise your body, that it may be brought into subjection
to your soul and reason." Then said the Master, "I will gladly be obedient.". ...
/.../the history and life of the reverend doctor john tauler/seventh chapter.htm
Paul's Longing
... But there are exceptions to all rules, and I suppose I may venture to let my heart
speak, and to say how gladly I come back to the old place, dear to me by so ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/pauls longing.htm
Prologue of Richard Rolle
... Gladly therefore I am molten into the desire of greater delight and ghostly sweetness;
the which, with that ghostly flame, has pithily [19] comforted my mind. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/prologue of richard rolle.htm
Christ's Sheep
... Then the Lord himself came and preached to these poor wild folk, and they heard
him gladly. And why? ... Not all of it perhaps: but still they heard him gladly. ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon v christs sheep.htm
The Way from Sin to Perfect Salvation.
... Because repentance includes so much, many men would gladly overstep this first
round and begin their Christian life on some round higher up. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter v the way from.htm
For the Sake of a Nation.
... game, juicy birds, brought down within arms' reach, yes, and"surely this alone were
enough"there was living, cool water gushing abundantly, gladly out of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/for the sake of a.htm
The Master Learns his ABC
... cast aside your garment, and chastise your body, that it may be brought to submit
to your soul and reason." And the Master replied, "I will gladly be obedient ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter x the master learns.htm
Thesaurus
Gladly (25 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Gladly (25 Occurrences).
... When he heard him, he did many
things, and he heard him
gladly. (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV).
.../g/gladly.htm - 13kListened (120 Occurrences)
... WEY). Mark 12:37 Therefore David himself calls him Lord, so how can he be
his son?" The common people heard him gladly. (See NIV). ...
/l/listened.htm - 36k
Fain (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Satisfied; contented; also, constrained. 3. (adv.) With joy; gladly. 4.
(vt & i.) To be glad ; to wish or desire. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FAIN ...
/f/fain.htm - 9k
Souls (114 Occurrences)
... Acts 2:41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. ... 2 Corinthians
12:15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. ...
/s/souls.htm - 37k
Suffering (104 Occurrences)
... (3) "To put up with," "to tolerate": the King James Version, "For ye suffer fools
gladly (the Revised Version (British and American) "ye bear with the foolish ...
/s/suffering.htm - 40k
Ear (670 Occurrences)
... him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly.
(Root in WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Mark ...
/e/ear.htm - 42k
Received (312 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS RSV NIV). Luke 8:40 And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was
returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him. ...
/r/received.htm - 35k
Crowd (166 Occurrences)
... (DBY NIV). Mark 12:37 Therefore David himself calls him Lord, so how can he be
his son?" The common people heard him gladly. (See NAS NIV). ...
/c/crowd.htm - 35k
Zacchaeus (3 Occurrences)
... make haste, and come down; for to-day I must abide at thy house" (Luke 19:5). The
offer thus frankly made by Jesus was accepted eagerly and gladly by Zaccheus ...
/z/zacchaeus.htm - 10k
Keeping (282 Occurrences)
... was fearing John, knowing him a man righteous and holy, and was keeping watch over
him, and having heard him, was doing many things, and hearing him gladly. ...
/k/keeping.htm - 36k
Resources
What does it mean to be a man of God? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of the Greek word dunamis in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the occult? | GotQuestions.orgGladly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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