ὁλοτελής
holotelḗs
G3651 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Entire, complete in all parts, not lacking any component; used of something that is whole or undivided, extending to the end or to its full extent. In specific contexts, it denotes completeness in terms of integrity, entirety, or totality, with an emphasis on the thing reaching its intended end or purpose without deficiency. May be used of persons (e.g., being whole or undivided in spirit, soul, and body) or things (being intact, completely preserved).
Semantic Range
entire, complete in all parts, wholly, completely undivided, brought to full completion, intact, absolutely perfect
Root / Etymology
From the adjective ὅλος (whole, entire) and the noun τέλος (end, completion, goal). The compound construction conveys the meaning of something being whole ('ὅλος') to its limit or ultimate completion ('τέλος').
Historical & Contextual Notes
ὁλοτελής is a rare word in the Greek corpus, appearing only once in the New Testament (1 Thessalonians 5:23) and seldom in Hellenistic literature. Its formation is transparent, emphasizing totality and completion. Whereas ὅλος alone means 'whole' or 'entire,' and τέλειος means 'perfect, mature, finished,' ὁλοτελής binds the ideas: fully whole, not only not lacking parts, but brought to full and undiminished completion. In the LXX (Septuagint), the term does not occur, and its usage in Koine literature outside biblical texts is rare. English translations often render it 'completely' or 'wholly,' but these may obscure its precise connotation of both completeness and consummation. In the context of 1 Thessalonians 5:23, it describes being preserved in a state of full integrity and undiminished wholeness, applying the term to 'spirit and soul and body.' The word is not used as a technical or theological term but draws on broader Greek notions of completeness.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ὅλος and τέλος; complete to the end, i.e. absolutely perfect:--wholly.
Root Family
ὁλοτελής (holotelēs) — entire, whole, complete, brought to full completion
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3651-01 |
ὁλοτελεῖς | oloteleis | ADJ.S ACC M PL |
completely | fully complete ones | fully complete ones | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3651-01 |
1 Thessalonians 5:23 | ὁλοτελεῖς | oloteleis | ADJ.S ACC M PL |
completely | fully complete ones | fully complete ones |