ὅλως (holōs)
holōs
at all
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adverb holōs means "wholly" or "altogether," serving as an intensifier that emphasizes the completeness of a statement. In the New Testament, it appears only four times, primarily in Matthew and 1 Corinthians, where it functions to underscore the absolute nature of what is being said.
Its most distinctive usage occurs with negative words, translating naturally into "not at all" or "by no means." This combination strengthens a denial, removing any ambiguity. For instance, Paul uses this emphatic negation in 1 Corinthians 5:1 to express shock that sexual immorality exists "at all" within the church, and again in 1 Corinthians 6:7 to argue that lawsuits among believers should not happen "at all."
The word derives from holos, meaning "whole," which explains its forceful tone. Translators often render it simply as "at all" in negative contexts, though this can sometimes soften the original emphasis. The sources highlight its role in making definitive statements about moral boundaries and church conduct, ensuring the reader understands that no exception is permitted.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word holōs carries a weight that simple translations often miss. When used with negatives, it does not merely say 'no'; it shuts the door completely. In Matthew 5:34, Jesus uses this absolute term to forbid swearing altogether. This is not a suggestion for polite conversation but a clear boundary on how we speak. It reminds us that our words should be so trustworthy that oaths become unnecessary.
Paul applies this same firmness in his letters to Corinth. He expresses shock that certain sins exist within the church at all, and he argues that legal disputes among believers should not happen at all. These are not minor infractions but matters that cut against the very nature of Christian community. The word demands we take moral boundaries seriously.
Understanding this intensity helps us see how much God values integrity in speech and unity in relationships. It invites us to examine our own habits, asking where we might be compromising on things that should be non-negotiable. This clarity is a gift, helping us live with honesty and peace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- at all,1×
- at all1×
- altogether1×
- Actually1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὅλως2×
- Ὅλως1×
- ὅλως,1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 5:34
but I tell you, don’t swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God;
Jesus uses this absolute term to forbid swearing altogether, establishing a clear boundary on how we speak.
-
I Corinthians 5:1
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles, that one has his father’s wife.
Paul employs the emphatic negation to express shock that sexual immorality exists at all within the church community.
-
I Corinthians 6:7
Therefore it is already altogether a defect in you that you have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?
The word underscores Paul's argument that lawsuits among believers should not happen at all, highlighting a defect in their conduct.