The term "wholeheartedly" in the biblical context refers to serving, seeking, or following God with complete sincerity, commitment, and devotion. It implies an undivided heart, where one's entire being is focused on God and His commandments. This concept is central to the biblical narrative, emphasizing the importance of a sincere and complete dedication to God.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the idea of serving God wholeheartedly is frequently emphasized. Deuteronomy 6:5 commands, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This verse underscores the necessity of a total and undivided love for God, which is foundational to the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Joshua, in his farewell address to the Israelites, exhorts them to serve God wholeheartedly. Joshua 22:5 states, "But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul." This passage highlights the comprehensive nature of serving God, involving every aspect of one's life.

King David is often portrayed as a model of wholehearted devotion. In 1 Chronicles 28:9, David advises Solomon, "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve Him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought." David's life, despite its imperfections, is marked by a deep and sincere commitment to God.

New Testament References

The New Testament continues this theme, calling believers to a life of wholehearted devotion to Christ. In Matthew 22:37, Jesus reiterates the greatest commandment: "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’" This commandment encapsulates the essence of wholehearted devotion, requiring believers to prioritize their relationship with God above all else.

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently encourages believers to live wholeheartedly for Christ. In Colossians 3:23, he writes, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." This instruction emphasizes that every action, no matter how mundane, should be done with a sincere heart as an act of worship to God.

Theological Implications

Wholehearted devotion is not merely an external adherence to religious practices but involves an internal transformation of the heart. It requires a sincere and complete surrender to God's will, characterized by love, obedience, and faithfulness. This concept challenges believers to examine their motives and priorities, ensuring that their devotion to God is genuine and undivided.

The biblical call to wholeheartedness is a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, where God desires not just outward compliance but an inward commitment. It is a call to live a life that reflects the love and grace of God, fully dedicated to His purposes and glory.3824. lebab -- inner man, mind, will, heart
... heart (1), intelligence (1), intended (2), mind (8), purpose (1), thought (1), timid*
(1), understanding (2), wholehearted* (1), wholeheartedly* (1), yourself ...
/hebrew/3824.htm - 6k

8003. shalem -- complete, safe, at peace
... 1), completely (1), entire (2), friendly (1), full (4), just (1), perfect (2), prepared
(1), safely (1), uncut (2), whole (5), wholeheartedly* (1), wholly ...
/hebrew/8003.htm - 6k

The Oldest Family.
... contemptibly rejected. But He was also accepted, gladly, joyously, wholeheartedly
accepted, even though it came to mean pain and shame. As ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the oldest family.htm

The Ninth Chapter: Obedience and Subjection
... Such become discontented and dejected on the slightest pretext; they will never
gain peace of mind unless they subject themselves wholeheartedly for the love ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the ninth chapter obedience and.htm

Whether a Man Can Know that He Has Grace
... thus engendering within them the joy of security, even in this present life, in
order that they may the more confidently and wholeheartedly carry out noble ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article five whether a man 2.htm

Chapter xvii
... El Shadday""not P. Abram is by no means to desist from the type of life
which wholeheartedly aims to please God. Though he has ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xvii.htm

Heralds of the Gospel
... It was here that Mark, overwhelmed with fear and discouragement, wavered for a time
in his purpose to give himself wholeheartedly to the Lord's work. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 17 heralds of the.htm

Chapter xxxv
... Apparently they entered wholeheartedly upon the plan, for they gave "all the foreign
gods in their possession," as well as earrings, which must have served as ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxv.htm

Chapter xlviii
... an adjustment such as this. He knows that Joseph will concur wholeheartedly
in this arrangement. The preposition 'adh introduces ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlviii.htm

Prayer and the Word of God (Continued)
... Prayer exalts the Word of God and gives it preeminence in the estimation of those
who faithfully and wholeheartedly call upon the Name of the Lord. ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/xiii prayer and the word.htm

The True Sign
... When one who has been controlled by a stubborn, wayward will is set free, and yields
himself wholeheartedly to the drawing of God's heavenly agencies, a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 44 the true sign.htm

Education and Preparation.
... and we infer from the little that is said that she somewhat indifferently accepted
Henry Martyn's homage, but she did not wholeheartedly and generously respond ...
/.../education and preparation.htm

Wholeheartedly (15 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Wholeheartedly (15 Occurrences). Romans 6:17
But thanks be to God, that, whereas you were bondservants ...
/w/wholeheartedly.htm - 10k

Wholesome (10 Occurrences)

/w/wholesome.htm - 10k

Whole-hearted (6 Occurrences)
Whole-hearted. Wholehearted, Whole-hearted. Wholeheartedly . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (See JPS). Wholehearted, Whole-hearted. Wholeheartedly . ...
/w/whole-hearted.htm - 8k

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