Dear; Dearly
The Language of Value and Affection in Scripture
The English terms 'dear' and 'dearly' in Bible translations render several significant Greek words that communicate high value, preciousness, and beloved status. Unlike casual modern usage, these biblical terms carry substantial theological weight, pointing to what is held at great price, deeply cherished, or sacrificially loved within the biblical narrative.
Key Greek Terms and Their Meanings
Three primary Greek words are translated as 'dear' or convey the concept of dearness:
1. Timios (τίμιος): This term means 'held at a great price,' 'valuable,' 'precious,' or 'costly.' It describes something of high intrinsic or assigned worth. The apostle Paul uses this concept in Acts 20:24 when he declares he does not consider his life 'dear' (timios) to himself, meaning he does not hold his physical life as a possession too precious to sacrifice for Christ's mission. The same word describes 'costly stones' in 1 Corinthians 3:12 and Christ's 'precious blood' in 1 Peter 1:19, emphasizing the immense value of His atoning sacrifice.
2. Entimos (ἔντιμος): Meaning 'held in honor,' 'highly prized,' or 'esteemed,' this word describes relational value and honor. In Luke 7:2, the centurion's servant was 'dear' (entimos) to him, indicating the servant was highly valued and honored within that relationship. Paul uses this term in Philippians 2:29 when instructing the church to 'hold such men in esteem' (entimos), referring to Epaphroditus who nearly died for the work of Christ.
3. Agapētos (ἀγαπητός): Translated as 'beloved,' this is the most frequently used term conveying dearness in the New Testament. It comes from the verb agapaō, meaning to love with divine, self-sacrificial love. In 1 Thessalonians 2:8, Paul tells the believers they had become 'very dear' (agapētos) to the apostles. Most modern translations, including the Revised Version, consistently translate this word as 'beloved,' removing the adverb 'dearly' that appeared in the King James Version (e.g., Romans 12:19; 2 Corinthians 7:1).
Dearness in the Old Testament
The concept of dearness appears less frequently in Old Testament translations but is profoundly present in the Hebrew concept of cherished relationships. A notable example is Jeremiah 31:20, where God speaks of Ephraim as His 'dear son' or 'precious child,' using language of paternal affection and value. The Hebrew conveys the sense of a child in whom one delights, connecting to the broader biblical theme of God's covenantal love for His people.
Theological Implications of What Is 'Dear'
The biblical use of 'dear' terminology reveals important theological truths. First, it shows that value in God's economy is not determined by worldly standards but by divine assignment and sacrificial love. Christ's blood is 'precious' (1 Peter 1:19) not because of material worth but because of its perfect atoning efficacy. Second, these terms highlight the nature of Christian community: believers are to hold one another as 'dear' and 'beloved,' reflecting God's own valuation of His people. Third, the language challenges believers' priorities: like Paul in Acts 20:24, Christians are called to not hold their lives as 'dear' when compared to the surpassing value of Christ and His gospel.
Modern Application and Understanding
For contemporary readers, understanding the biblical concept of 'dear' reorients values and relationships. It calls Christians to cherish what God cherishes—particularly the person of Christ, His atoning work, and His people. The removal of 'dearly' before 'beloved' in modern translations (e.g., Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 4:14) actually strengthens the force of 'beloved' as a standalone title for believers, emphasizing their fundamental identity as those loved by God. This language of dearness ultimately points back to God's own nature as one who values, honors, and sacrificially loves.
Biblical Context
The concepts of 'dear' and 'dearly' appear throughout both Testaments, though concentrated in the New Testament epistles. Key passages include Acts 20:24 where Paul discusses not holding his life as dear; Luke 7:2 describing the centurion's valued servant; 1 Peter 1:19 referencing Christ's precious blood; and numerous epistolary addresses where believers are called 'beloved' (agapētos). In the Old Testament, Jeremiah 31:20 contains the primary 'dear' reference regarding God's affection for Ephraim. These terms function to express relational value, sacrificial cost, and honored status within biblical relationships—both human and divine.
Theological Significance
The language of dearness teaches profound truths about God's character and the Christian life. It reveals God as one who assigns supreme value to Christ's atoning sacrifice (1 Peter 1:19) and to His people (Jeremiah 31:20). Theologically, it demonstrates that worth in God's kingdom is determined by His love and purpose rather than worldly metrics. The call for believers to not hold their lives as 'dear' (Acts 20:24) underscores the principle of sacrificial discipleship, where loyalty to Christ surpasses self-preservation. Ultimately, this language points to the gospel economy where the infinitely valuable (Christ) sacrifices Himself for the deemed-valuable (believers).
Historical Background
In the first-century Greco-Roman world, the Greek terms behind 'dear' carried specific cultural connotations. Timios was used for precious materials like gold, jewels, and purple dye—items of literal high market value. Entimos described honored positions in society, such as respected benefactors or valued friends in the patron-client system. Agapētos, while used in secular Greek, was infused with deeper meaning in Christian usage, reflecting the distinctive, self-giving love (agapē) demonstrated by Christ. The translation shift from the King James Version's 'dearly beloved' to the Revised Version's simple 'beloved' reflects nineteenth-century scholarly consensus that the adverb diluted the strength of the primary term. Understanding this historical context enriches our reading of these passages.