ὁλόκληρος (holoklēros)
holoklēros
whole
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective holoklēros describes something that is complete, entire, or whole in every part. Its meaning comes from combining words for "whole" and "lot," originally referring to a share that includes everything allotted by chance. In the New Testament, this sense of total integrity shifts toward an ethical and spiritual context, describing a person who lacks nothing essential.
This word appears only twice, carrying significant weight in both instances. Paul prays for the Thessalonians’ spirit, soul, and body to be preserved blameless (1 Thessalonians 5:23), using holoklēros to emphasize total preservation without defect. Similarly, James encourages believers to remain steadfast so they may become perfect and complete (Jas 1:4), linking wholeness directly to patient endurance.
Unlike terms that simply mean "large" or "full," holoklēros implies soundness and lack of blemish. It suggests a state where no part is missing or broken. The sources note its connection to concepts of perfection, highlighting that true completeness involves moral integrity alongside physical or structural wholeness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word holoklēros points to a deep sense of wholeness, where every part of your being is intact and sound. It comes from roots meaning 'whole' and 'lot,' originally describing a share that includes everything allotted. In the New Testament, this idea shifts toward spiritual integrity, suggesting a person who lacks nothing essential for their faith journey.
Paul uses this term in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 to pray that your spirit, soul, and body might be preserved blameless at Christ's return. This is not about being flawless in human eyes, but about having a complete inner life where God’s peace guards every dimension of who you are. It invites you to trust that He is working on all levels of your existence.
Similarly, James 1:4 links this wholeness to patient endurance, encouraging believers to let trials produce a mature faith. True completeness involves moral integrity alongside spiritual stability. As you face challenges, remember that God’s goal is not just to keep you going, but to make you whole in every part, ready for His purposes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- entirely1×
- complete1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὁλόκληρον1×
- ὁλόκληροι1×
Key Verses
-
I Thessalonians 5:23
May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul uses holoklēros here to emphasize that God’s sanctifying work covers the entire person—spirit, soul, and body—preserving them without defect for Christ's return.
-
James 1:4
Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James connects this wholeness to endurance, showing that patient testing produces a mature faith that lacks nothing essential for spiritual growth.