Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8200 The character of the believer  »  8225 devotion

Wholehearted commitment to God, to another person or to a task. God's people are encouraged to show such commitment.

God's people are to be wholehearted in their devotion to him

Deuteronomy 6:5; Romans 12:1 See also Deuteronomy 30:1-3; Judges 5:2; Psalm 119:2; Jeremiah 29:13

Examples of devotion to God

Psalm 42:1; Philippians 3:7-8

Caleb and Joshua:

Numbers 14:6-9; Numbers 32:11-12; Joshua 14:7-12 2 Kings 23:1-3 pp 2 Chronicles 34:29-32 Josiah and his subjects; 2 Chronicles 15:12-15 the people of Judah

The psalmists:

Psalm 27:1-4; Psalm 40:7-8; Psalm 84:2; Psalm 119:57,135-136

Paul:

1 Corinthians 2:2; Corinthians 9:26-27; 2 Corinthians 1:8-10; Philippians 3:13-14; Colossians 1:24,28-29

Examples of devotion to other people

Matthew 26:35 pp Mark 14:31 John 6:68 See also Ruth 1:15-17 Ruth to Naomi

Jonathan to David:

1 Samuel 19:4-5; Samuel 20:12-13,41-42

Spouses to each other:

Ephesians 5:22-23,28-29; Colossians 3:18-19 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 the Macedonian churches to Christians in poverty

Examples of devotion to a specific task

The leaders and people of Israel to building the temple

1 Chronicles 28:2-3,6,9-10; 1 C 1-6,17-19

Nehemiah and the people of Judah to rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem

Nehemiah 2:4-6,17-18; Nehemiah 4:13-18,21-23; Nehemiah 6:15

Jesus Christ devoted to his mission

Luke 9:51 See also Matthew 16:23 pp Mark 8:33; Luke 4:1-12 pp Matthew 4:1-10; Luke 4:16-21; Luke 22:42 pp Matthew 26:39 pp Mark 14:35-36; John 9:4; John 19:30

The disciples devoted themselves to the ministry of the church

Acts 2:42; Acts 5:42; Acts 6:1-4; Acts 8:4

See also

2057  Christ, obedience
2354  Christ, mission
5708  marriage
7942  ministry
7948  mission
8114  discipleship
8207  commitment
8223  dedication
8248  faithfulness
8434  giving