from ὁλόκληρος; integrity, i.e. physical wholeness:--perfect soundness.
Transliteration:holoklēría
Pronunciation:hol-ok-lay-ree'-ah
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun holoklēría (`{{G3647}}`) is derived from the adjective holoklēros (`{{G3648}}`), which signifies "whole," "complete," or "entire." Consequently, holoklēría denotes a state of "perfect soundness," "completeness," or "integrity." It describes a condition where nothing is lacking, broken, or defective. While the etymology permits a broader application to moral or spiritual completeness, its singular biblical usage specifically points to a state of physical wholeness and robust health. It implies a restoration to an ideal, unimpaired condition, encompassing all parts and functions.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term holoklēría (`{{G3647}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, found in [[Acts 3:16]]. This singular occurrence is profoundly significant:
* **[[Acts 3:16]]**: "And by faith in His name, His name has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness [holoklēría] in the presence of you all."
This verse describes the miraculous healing of a man lame from birth, who was begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, declares that it is through faith in Jesus' name that the man has received "perfect soundness." The context makes it unequivocally clear that holoklēría refers to the man's complete physical restoration: his ankles and feet received strength, enabling him to stand, walk, and leap (cf. [[Acts 3:7-8]]). This was not a partial recovery or a gradual improvement, but an immediate, total, and undeniable physical wholeness. The public nature of the miracle ("in the presence of you all") underscores the tangible and complete nature of this "perfect soundness."
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding holoklēría (`{{G3647}}`) is enhanced by examining its linguistic relatives and conceptual parallels:
* **holoklēros (`{{G3648}}`)**: The root adjective, meaning "whole, complete, entire." It is used in [[James 1:4]] to describe the desired state of Christian maturity ("perfect and complete, lacking in nothing") and in [[1 Thessalonians 5:23]] where Paul prays for the believers' "spirit and soul and body be preserved complete [holoklēros], without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." This broader usage of the root highlights God's desire for holistic completeness, extending beyond the physical.
* **hugies (`{{G5198}}`)**: Meaning "healthy" or "sound," often used for physical well-being (e.g., [[Matthew 12:13]], [[John 5:6]]). While related, holoklēría emphasizes a more absolute and comprehensive state of soundness.
* **sōzō (`{{G4991}}`)**: "To save, heal, make whole." This verb is frequently used for physical healing in the Gospels (e.g., [[Matthew 9:21-22]]), demonstrating the interconnectedness of salvation and restoration in the biblical worldview.
* **katartizō (`{{G2676}}`)**: "To mend, restore, make complete." This verb speaks to the process of bringing something to its proper, complete state.
* **shalom (`{{H7965}}`)**: The rich Hebrew concept of "peace," "wholeness," "well-being," and "completeness." While holoklēría is more physically specific, the underlying divine desire for humanity's flourishing in all dimensions—physical, spiritual, social—is a shared theological thread.
### Theological Significance
The single occurrence of holoklēría (`{{G3647}}`) in [[Acts 3:16]] carries profound theological weight:
* **Demonstration of Divine Power:** The "perfect soundness" bestowed upon the lame man is a powerful testament to the absolute and transformative power of God, specifically operating through the name of Jesus Christ. It signifies that God's restorative work is not partial but complete.
* **Authenticity of the Gospel:** Miraculous healings, particularly those involving complete restoration, served as undeniable signs validating the message of the apostles and the resurrection of Jesus. They were tangible proofs of God's active presence and the inbreaking of His kingdom.
* **Foreshadowing of Ultimate Restoration:** The immediate and complete physical healing can be seen as a foretaste of the future resurrection and the reception of glorified bodies (cf. [[1 Corinthians 15:42-44]]), which will be free from all infirmity, decay, and the effects of sin. It points to God's ultimate plan for human wholeness.
* **Holistic Nature of Salvation:** While holoklēría in Acts refers to physical healing, the broader concept of holoklēros (`{{G3648}}`) in other Pauline and Johannine epistles suggests God's comprehensive desire for human well-being—spirit, soul, and body. The physical healing in Acts is a visible manifestation of God's redemptive work that touches every dimension of human existence.
* **The Role of Faith:** The passage explicitly links the "perfect soundness" to "faith in His name" and "the faith which comes through Him." This underscores the critical role of faith as the conduit through which divine power is accessed and transformative healing is received.
### Summary
Holoklēría (`{{G3647}}`) denotes a state of "perfect soundness" or "complete physical wholeness." Its sole New Testament appearance in [[Acts 3:16]] powerfully illustrates the immediate, undeniable, and total physical restoration granted through the name of Jesus Christ. This miraculous healing served as a clear sign of divine power and the authenticity of the apostolic message, demonstrating God's capacity for complete transformation. While specifically referring to physical healing in this context, holoklēría resonates with the broader biblical theme of God's desire for holistic well-being (`{{G3648}}`, `{{H7965}}`) and foreshadows the ultimate restoration of glorified bodies. The passage also highlights the essential role of faith as the means by which this divine wholeness is apprehended.
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