### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adverb hólōs (`{{G3654}}`) is derived from the adjective hólos (`{{G3650}}`), meaning "whole" or "entire." As an adverb, hólōs fundamentally conveys the idea of completeness, totality, or universality. Its semantic range can be categorized into a few key nuances:
1. **Completeness/Totality (Positive):** Signifying "completely," "altogether," "entirely," or "utterly." It emphasizes the full extent or nature of something.
2. **Generalization/Commonality (By Analogy):** Indicating "commonly," "in general," or "widely." This sense suggests something that is prevalent or universally known/practiced.
3. **Absolute Negation (With Negation):** When used in conjunction with a negative particle (e.g., ou), hólōs intensifies the negation to mean "not at all," "by no means," or "utterly not." This expresses an absolute and emphatic denial or prohibition.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term hólōs appears three times in the New Testament, each instance demonstrating its nuanced meaning:
1. **[[Matthew 5:34]]**: "But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is God’s throne..." (μὴ ὀμόσαι ὅλως). Here, hólōs is used with the negative particle mē (do not), creating an emphatic prohibition. Jesus is not merely discouraging oaths but issuing an absolute command against them, demanding a complete departure from the practice of swearing. The implication is that the believer's word should be so trustworthy that no oath is ever necessary.
2. **[[1 Corinthians 5:1]]**: "It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not even tolerated among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife." (ὅλως ἀκούεται). In this context, hólōs is translated as "actually," "commonly," or "utterly reported." It signifies that the report of immorality is not merely a rumor but a widespread, undeniable, and deeply troubling fact within the Corinthian church. The use of hólōs here underscores the pervasive and scandalous nature of the sin, emphasizing its complete and public knowledge.
3. **[[1 Corinthians 6:7]]**: "To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?" (ὅλως ἥττημα). Here, hólōs again emphasizes totality, conveying that the very existence of lawsuits among believers represents an "altogether defeat" or "utter failure." Paul is not speaking of a partial setback but a fundamental contradiction to the nature of Christian fellowship and the gospel. It signifies that the presence of such disputes completely undermines their witness and spiritual integrity.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding hólōs is enhanced by considering its relationship to other Greek terms and theological concepts:
* **hólos (`{{G3650}}`):** The root word, meaning "whole," "complete," or "entire." The adverb hólōs naturally extends this concept of wholeness to an action or state.
* **pas (`{{G3956}}`):** Meaning "all" or "every." While pas refers to the totality of items or individuals, hólōs focuses on the totality or completeness of an action, condition, or report. There is conceptual overlap in conveying universality.
* **pantachou (`{{G3843}}`):** An adverb meaning "everywhere." This word directly conveys spatial universality, whereas hólōs can imply a more general or comprehensive universality beyond just location.
* **Concepts:** The term relates to theological concepts such as absolute obedience, radical discipleship, the purity of the church, and the integrity of Christian witness. It highlights situations where compromise or partial adherence is unacceptable.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of hólōs lies in its emphatic nature, drawing attention to matters of absolute importance and profound consequence within the Christian life and community.
In [[Matthew 5:34]], Jesus' use of hólōs underscores the radical demand of the Kingdom of God for absolute integrity in speech. It challenges believers to live in such transparency and truthfulness that the need for oaths is utterly removed, reflecting a complete trust in God and one another. This command is not a suggestion but a call to a holistic transformation of one's word.
In [[1 Corinthians 5:1]] and [[1 Corinthians 6:7]], hólōs serves to highlight the severe and comprehensive nature of sin and disunity within the church. The "utterly reported" immorality and the "altogether defeat" of internal lawsuits reveal a community whose actions are in fundamental contradiction to their calling as the body of Christ. These passages demonstrate that certain behaviors are not merely minor infractions but represent a complete failure to embody the holiness and love expected of believers. The word emphasizes that the church's purity and witness are not matters of partial commitment but demand complete adherence to divine standards.
Thus, hólōs consistently points to the necessity of a complete, unreserved, and uncompromising commitment to God's will, both in individual conduct and communal life.
### Summary
hólōs (`{{G3654}}`) is a potent Greek adverb signifying completeness, totality, or universality. Derived from `{{G3650}}` (holos, "whole"), it conveys meanings such as "completely," "altogether," "utterly," and, when negated, "not at all" or "by no means." Its three occurrences in the New Testament powerfully underscore critical theological points. In [[Matthew 5:34]], it reinforces Jesus' absolute prohibition against swearing, demanding complete integrity of speech. In [[1 Corinthians 5:1]], it highlights the widespread and undeniable nature of scandalous immorality within the church. Finally, in [[1 Corinthians 6:7]], it describes the "altogether defeat" that lawsuits among believers represent. Across these contexts, hólōs emphasizes the call for radical, holistic obedience and an uncompromising commitment to Christian purity and unity, leaving no room for partial adherence or compromise in matters of faith and practice.
TRV