Topical Bible: Character of Christ: Altogether Lovely

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The phrase "altogether lovely" is derived from the Song of Solomon 5:16, where the bride describes her beloved: "His mouth is most sweet; he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem." . While the immediate context of this passage is a poetic expression of love between Solomon and his bride, Christian tradition has long interpreted the Song of Solomon as an allegory of Christ's love for His Church. Thus, the description of the beloved as "altogether lovely" is often applied to the character of Christ.

Divine Beauty and Perfection

Christ's loveliness is rooted in His divine nature and perfect character. As the Son of God, He embodies the fullness of the Godhead (Colossians 2:9). His divine attributes—holiness, righteousness, love, mercy, and truth—are perfectly balanced and harmoniously expressed in His person. The beauty of Christ is not merely physical or superficial; it is the beauty of holiness and moral perfection. Psalm 27:4 reflects this desire to behold the beauty of the Lord: "One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple." .

Incarnation and Earthly Ministry

In His incarnation, Christ's loveliness was manifested in His humility and compassion. Philippians 2:7-8 describes how He "emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross." . His earthly ministry was marked by acts of love and mercy, healing the sick, forgiving sinners, and teaching with authority and grace. The Gospels portray Him as one who is approachable and tender-hearted, yet firm in truth and justice.

Sacrificial Love

The ultimate expression of Christ's loveliness is found in His sacrificial love. Romans 5:8 declares, "But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." . His willingness to lay down His life for humanity is the highest demonstration of love, as He bore the sins of the world and reconciled us to God. This selfless act of redemption reveals the depth of His love and the beauty of His character.

Resurrected Glory

Following His resurrection, Christ's loveliness is further revealed in His glorified state. Revelation 1:13-16 provides a vision of the risen Christ, whose appearance is awe-inspiring and majestic: "and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest. The hair of His head was white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like a blazing fire. His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters." . This depiction underscores the splendor and majesty of the risen Lord, who is worthy of worship and adoration.

The Believer's Response

For believers, recognizing Christ as "altogether lovely" inspires worship, devotion, and a desire to emulate His character. The Apostle Paul encourages believers to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 13:14), striving to reflect His love, humility, and righteousness in their own lives. The loveliness of Christ draws believers into a deeper relationship with Him, fostering a longing to know Him more intimately and to be transformed into His likeness.

In summary, the character of Christ as "altogether lovely" encompasses His divine nature, His perfect moral character, His sacrificial love, and His glorified state. This loveliness is both a source of comfort and a call to holiness for those who follow Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Songs 5:16
His mouth is most sweet: yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Altogether Lovely
... Our master model is the "altogether lovely" one. ... feet whenever they offered sacrifices;
so does Christ purify us ... in the light of his perfect character, and I ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/altogether lovely.htm

The Best Beloved
... feel concerned to vindicate the character of Jesus ... Taking the lord Jesus Christ as
a whole ... intends to tell us"he is inexpressibly lovely"altogether lovely. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 24 1878/the best beloved.htm

Christ the Support of the Tempted
... And though this character is given of the devil, if ... he not the chiefest of ten thousand,
and altogether lovely? ... see a form and comeliness in Christ, which you ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/christ the support of the.htm

The Well-Beloved.
... every part of His character attracts. To a true heart, the life of Christ is as
much an object of love as of reverence: "He is altogether lovely." We must love ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the well-beloved.htm

Christianity a Light.
... Character Of Christ. Character Of Christians. Lovely. "His mouth is most sweet:
yea, he "Behold, thou art fair, my love; is altogether lovely." S. of Sol. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter i christianity a light.htm

Christ Our Lesson and Our Teacher
... The conception of Christ as a Teacher, which is ... His divinity, seems to me altogether
inadequate, unless ... Him, and studied His example and character, and sought ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/christ our lesson and our.htm

Apollos at Corinth
... but divine power, that works transformation of character. ... with Christ in God, and
Christ appears as the chiefest among ten thousand, the One altogether lovely. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 26 apollos at corinth.htm

Hatred Without Cause
... And yet, loveable as he was, yea, "altogether lovely," no being so early met with
hatred ... Verily, my friends, if you survey the character of Christ, in all ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/hatred without cause.htm

The Man Christ Jesus
... the sons of men, chief among ten thousand, and altogether lovely. ... need be reserved
as to the character of Jesus ... made a library of the lives of Christ they would ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/the man christ jesus.htm

Preface
... of His own goodness of character Jesus drew ... To state it in brief, Jesus Christ is
revealed ... the Chiefest among ten thousand," and "the One altogether lovely.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/preface.htm