The term "utmost" in the context of the Bible often refers to the highest degree, the farthest extent, or the most extreme point of something. It is used to describe the ultimate or the most significant aspect of a situation, action, or characteristic. In the Scriptures, the concept of utmost can be applied to various themes, including devotion, judgment, and the reach of God's love and power.

Devotion and Commitment

The idea of utmost devotion is a recurring theme in the Bible, where believers are called to love and serve God with all their heart, soul, and strength. This is exemplified in the Shema, found in Deuteronomy 6:5 : "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This commandment emphasizes the utmost commitment and dedication that God requires from His followers.

In the New Testament, Jesus reiterates this commandment as the greatest, underscoring the importance of utmost love and devotion to God. In Matthew 22:37 , Jesus says, "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’"

Judgment and Consequences

The concept of utmost is also present in the context of divine judgment and the consequences of sin. The Bible speaks of the utmost severity of God's judgment against those who persist in wickedness and rebellion. In the Old Testament, the prophets often warned of the utmost destruction that would come upon nations and individuals who defied God's commandments.

For instance, in Jeremiah 25:32 , the prophet declares, "This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Behold! Disaster is spreading from nation to nation; a mighty storm is rising from the ends of the earth.’" This passage illustrates the utmost extent of God's judgment as it spreads across the nations.

God's Love and Power

Conversely, the Bible also speaks of the utmost reach of God's love and power. The Psalms frequently highlight the boundless nature of God's love and faithfulness. Psalm 103:11 states, "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him." This verse captures the utmost magnitude of God's love for His people.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul speaks of the utmost power of God at work in believers. Ephesians 3:20 declares, "Now to Him who is able to do infinitely more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." This passage emphasizes the limitless and utmost power of God to accomplish His purposes beyond human comprehension.

Faith and Perseverance

The call to utmost faith and perseverance is another significant aspect of the Christian life. Believers are encouraged to pursue their faith with the utmost diligence and endurance. Hebrews 12:1 exhorts, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us."

The utmost perseverance is also seen in the life of the Apostle Paul, who, despite facing numerous trials and hardships, remained steadfast in his mission. In 2 Timothy 4:7 , Paul reflects on his journey, saying, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

In summary, the concept of utmost in the Bible encompasses the highest degree of devotion, the farthest extent of judgment, the boundless reach of God's love and power, and the unwavering perseverance required in the life of faith.1. (a.) Situated at the farthest point or extremity; farthest out; most distant; extreme; as, the utmost limits of the land; the utmost extent of human knowledge.

2. (a.) Being in the greatest or highest degree, quantity, number, or the like; greatest; as, the utmost assiduity; the utmost harmony; the utmost misery or happiness.

3. (n.) The most that can be; the farthest limit; the greatest power, degree, or effort; as, he has done his utmost; try your utmost.

SEA, HINDER; UTMOST; UTTERMOST; WESTERN

hin'-der; ut'-most; ut'-er-most; wes'-tern.

See MEDITERRANEAN SEA.

UTMOST SEA; UTTERMOST SEA

ut'-most, ut'-er-most.

See MEDITERRANEAN SEA.

1603. ekpleroo -- to fill full, to fulfill
... ro'-o) Short Definition: I fill completely, fulfill in every particular Definition:
I fill completely, fulfill in every particular (to the utmost), make good. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1603.htm - 7k

5056. telos -- an end, a toll
... a toll NASB Word Usage continually* (1), custom (2), customs (1), end (24), ends
(2), finished (1), fulfillment (1), goal (1), outcome (6), sum (1), utmost (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5056.htm - 7k

8379. taavah -- a boundary
... Word Origin from the same as tav Definition a boundary NASB Word Usage utmost bound
(1). utmost bound. From ta'ah; a limit, ie Full extent -- utmost bound. ...
/hebrew/8379.htm - 6k

7093. qets -- end
... 1), limit (2). after, utmost border, end, infinite, process. Contracted
from qatsats; an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional ...
/hebrew/7093.htm - 6k

7112. qatsats -- cut off
... cut asunder, in pieces, in sunder, off, utmost. A primitive root; to chop off
(literally or figuratively) -- cut (asunder, in pieces, in sunder, off), X utmost. ...
/hebrew/7112.htm - 6k

8503. taklith -- end, completeness
... Word Origin from kalah Definition end, completeness NASB Word Usage boundary
(1), end (1), limit (1), limits (1), utmost (1). end, perfection. ...
/hebrew/8503.htm - 6k

Shall Speak Now with the Utmost Brevity of the Veil of Moses and ...
... 43 I shall speak now with the utmost brevity of the veil of Moses and the?
I shall speak now with the utmost brevity of the veil ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/43 i shall speak now.htm

Fragment ii. Therefore You Ought to Strive to the Utmost of Your ...
... Fragment II. Therefore you ought to strive to the utmost of your power
not to fall into? Therefore you ought to strive to the ...
/.../theonas/epistle of phileas/fragment ii therefore you ought.htm

Now Here You See, in the Utmost Degree of Clearness...
... [Way-2-94] Now here you see, in the utmost degree of clearness? Now here
you see, in the utmost degree of clearness, how all true ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-2-94 now here you see.htm

Immediately after This, as if Doing his Utmost to Reduce the Human ...
... Chapter LXXXVI. Immediately after this, as if doing his utmost to reduce
the human race to a? Immediately after this, as if doing ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxxxvi immediately after this.htm

Thirdly, to Point Out those Special Seasons in the Life of a ...
... Thirdly, To point out those special seasons in the life of a Christian
which require our utmost diligence in keeping the heart. ...
/.../flavel/on keeping the heart/thirdly to point out those.htm

He is Stimulated to Speak of Him by the Longing of a Grateful Mind ...
... Argument III."He is Stimulated to Speak of Him by the Longing of a Grateful Mind.
To the Utmost of His Ability He Thinks He Ought to Thank Him. ...
/.../argument iii he is stimulated to.htm

And Again Isaiah the Prophet Says:...
... Ask of me and I will give thee the Gentiles for thy inheritance, and for
a possession the utmost parts of the earth. These things ...
/.../the demonstration of the apostolic preaching/chapter 49 and again isaiah.htm

Psalm CXXXIX.
... How? "If I take again my wings right forward, and abide in the utmost parts
of the sea" (ver.9). So can I flee from Thy Face. If ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxxix.htm

On Working Out Our Own Salvation
... 6:5.) It is easy to see that these strong expressions of the Apostle clearly imply
two things: First, that everything be done with the utmost earnestness of ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 85 on working out.htm

Matt. xii. 33
... He, that the thing stops at this, that is, at the condemnation of the multitude;
nay, for all that do wickedly in such things shall suffer the utmost punishment ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xlii matt xii 33.htm

Utmost (21 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Situated at the farthest point or extremity; farthest out; most distant;
extreme; as, the utmost limits of the land; the utmost extent of human ...
/u/utmost.htm - 13k

Uttermost (48 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Extreme; utmost; being; in the farthest, greatest, or highest degree; as,
the uttermost extent or end. ... SEA, HINDER; UTMOST; UTTERMOST; WESTERN. ...
/u/uttermost.htm - 23k

Extreme (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) At the utmost point, edge, or border; outermost;
utmost; farthest; most remote; at the widest limit. ...
/e/extreme.htm - 11k

Balak (42 Occurrences)
... 22:36 When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him to the City
of Moab, which is on the border of the Arnon, which is in the utmost part of ...
/b/balak.htm - 20k

Nearest (22 Occurrences)
... Numbers 22:41 It happened in the morning, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him
up into the high places of Baal; and he saw from there the utmost part of the ...
/n/nearest.htm - 13k

Limit (115 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) That which terminates, circumscribes, restrains, or confines; the bound,
border, or edge; the utmost extent; as, the limit of a walk, of a town, of a ...
/l/limit.htm - 36k

Top (880 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The utmost degree; the acme; the summit. 5. (n.) The highest rank;
the most honorable position; the utmost attainable place ...
/t/top.htm - 8k

Extremely (15 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In an extreme manner or state; in the utmost degree;
to the utmost point; exceedingly; as, extremely hot or cold. ...
/e/extremely.htm - 10k

Archaeology
... Scripture. In the criticism of a painting, it is of the utmost importance
to hang the picture aright before criticism begins. It ...
/a/archaeology.htm - 61k

Criticism (1 Occurrence)
... Scripture. In the criticism of a painting, it is of the utmost importance
to hang the picture aright before criticism begins. It ...
/c/criticism.htm - 101k

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