Devotion vs. Worship — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 1, 2024
Devotion refers to strong feelings of love or loyalty, often manifesting in dedication to someone or something, whereas worship involves reverential honor and homage, typically directed towards a deity or sacred entity.
Difference Between Devotion and Worship
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Devotion embodies a profound emotional commitment to a person, cause, or activity, emphasizing loyalty and deep affection. Worship, on the other hand, is specifically a religious practice, involving rituals and ceremonies to honor a divine power or god.
In devotion, the focus can be broad, encompassing dedication to personal relationships, hobbies, or professions, and it does not necessarily involve religious elements. Conversely, worship is inherently spiritual or religious, marked by practices like prayers, hymns, and rituals intended to show reverence for a higher power.
Devotion can be expressed quietly and privately, through consistent and earnest support or attention to the object of one's dedication. Worship, however, often occurs in communal settings such as churches or temples, and it is usually a public expression of faith.
While devotion may lead to personal fulfillment and emotional satisfaction, fostering a sense of purpose and connection, worship aims at spiritual communion and moral guidance, seeking to strengthen the bond between the worshipper and the divine.
The term "devotion" can also imply an admirable quality of being dedicated, whether in a religious context or not. Worship, by contrast, always involves an element of adoration and is often performed in a ritualistic context, stressing the sacred and transcendent.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Deep commitment and love
Reverential honor to a deity
Focus
Can be non-religious
Primarily religious or spiritual
Expression
Personal or public
Usually public and communal
Aim
Emotional fulfillment
Spiritual communion
Context
Broad, including various life aspects
Specifically religious settings
Compare with Definitions
Devotion
Profound dedication or attachment to someone or something.
His devotion to his family was evident in all he did.
Worship
The act of showing reverence and adoration for a deity.
Worship at the temple involved singing hymns and offering prayers.
Devotion
Loyalty or enthusiasm for a cause or person.
She showed her devotion to the cause through years of service.
Worship
Adoration or veneration towards a god.
His worship of the deity was part of his daily routine.
Devotion
Ardent love or affection.
Their story is a testament to devotion and enduring love.
Worship
Extreme admiration or love shown towards someone or something.
His worship of classic literature was well known among his peers.
Devotion
Fervent support or allegiance.
His devotion to his team never wavered, even in tough times.
Worship
Religious rites or ceremonies constituting a formal expression of reverence.
The festival is an ancient form of worship.
Devotion
A commitment to religious observances.
Daily prayers were part of her personal devotion.
Worship
Participating in religious services.
They gather to worship every Sunday morning.
Devotion
Ardent, often selfless affection and dedication, as to a person or principle.
Worship
Worship is an act of religious devotion usually directed towards a deity. For many, worship is not about an emotion, it is more about a recognition of a God.
Devotion
Religious ardor or zeal; piety.
Worship
The reverent love and devotion accorded a deity, an idol, or a sacred object.
Devotion
Often devotions An act of religious observance or prayer, especially when private.
Worship
The ceremonies, prayers, or other religious forms by which this love is expressed
A chapel where worship is held daily.
Devotion
A religious text presenting a prayer, frequently accompanied by an introductory scriptural passage and a homiletic gloss.
Worship
Ardent admiration or love; adoration
The worship of celebrities.
Devotion
The act of devoting or the state of being devoted
The devotion of resources to research.
Worship
Often Worship Chiefly British Used as a form of address for magistrates, mayors, and certain other dignitaries
Your Worship.
Devotion
(uncountable) The act or state of devoting or being devoted.
Worship
To honor and love as a deity.
Devotion
(uncountable) Feeling of strong or fervent affection; dedication
Worship
To regard with ardent or adoring esteem or devotion.
Devotion
(uncountable) Religious veneration, zeal, or piety.
Worship
The devotion accorded to a deity or to a sacred object.
Polytheistic theology and worship had to go underground.
Devotion
A prayer often found in the plural
Worship
The adoration owed to God alone, as greater than the veneration that may be accorded to figures such as saints.
Devotion
Religious offerings; alms.
Worship
The religious ceremonies that express this devotion.
Devotion
The act of devoting; consecration.
Worship
(by extension) Voluntary, utter submission; voluntary, utter deference.
Devotion
The state of being devoted; addiction; eager inclination; strong attachment love or affection; zeal; especially, feelings toward God appropriately expressed by acts of worship; devoutness.
Genius animated by a fervent spirit of devotion.
Worship
(also by extension) Ardent love.
Devotion
Act of devotedness or devoutness; manifestation of strong attachment; act of worship; prayer.
Worship
An object of worship.
Devotion
Disposal; power of disposal.
They are entirely at our devotion, and may be turned backward and forward, as we please.
Worship
Honour; respect; civil deference.
Devotion
A thing consecrated; an object of devotion.
Churches and altars, priests and all devotions,Tumbled together into rude chaos.
Worship
Used as a title or term of address for various officials, including magistrates
Devotion
Feelings of ardent love;
Their devotion to each other was beautiful
Worship
(obsolete) The condition of being worthy; honour, distinction.
Devotion
Commitment to some purpose;
The devotion of his time and wealth to science
Worship
(transitive) To reverence (a deity, etc.) with supreme respect and veneration; to perform religious exercises in honour of.
Devotion
Religious zeal; willingness to serve God
Worship
(transitive) To honour with extravagant love and extreme submission, as a lover; to adore; to idolize.
Devotion
(usually plural) religious observance or prayers (usually spoken silently);
He returned to his devotions
Worship
(intransitive) To participate in religious ceremonies.
We worship at the church down the road.
Worship
Excellence of character; dignity; worth; worthiness.
A man of worship and honour.
Elfin, born of noble state,And muckle worship in his native land.
Worship
Honor; respect; civil deference.
Of which great worth and worship may be won.
Then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
Worship
Hence, a title of honor, used in addresses to certain magistrates and others of rank or station.
My father desires your worships' company.
Worship
The act of paying divine honors to the Supreme Being; religious reverence and homage; adoration, or acts of reverence, paid to God, or a being viewed as God.
The worship of God is an eminent part of religion, and prayer is a chief part of religious worship.
Worship
Obsequious or submissive respect; extravagant admiration; adoration.
'T is your inky brows, your black silk hair,Your bugle eyeballs, nor your cheek of cream,That can my spirits to your worship.
Worship
An object of worship.
In attitude and aspect formed to beAt once the artist's worship and despair.
Worship
To respect; to honor; to treat with civil reverence.
Our grave . . . shall have a tongueless mouth,Not worshiped with a waxen epitaph.
This holy image that is man God worshipeth.
Worship
To pay divine honors to; to reverence with supreme respect and veneration; to perform religious exercises in honor of; to adore; to venerate.
But God is to be worshiped.
When all our fathers worshiped stocks and stones.
Worship
To honor with extravagant love and extreme submission, as a lover; to adore; to idolize.
With bended knees I daily worship her.
Worship
To perform acts of homage or adoration; esp., to perform religious service.
Our fathers worshiped in this mountain; and ye say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
Was it for this I have loved . . . and worshiped in silence?
Worship
The activity of worshipping
Worship
A feeling of profound love and admiration
Worship
Love unquestioningly and uncritically or to excess; venerate as an idol;
Many teenagers idolized the Beatles
Worship
Show devotion to (a deity);
Many Hindus worship Shiva
Worship
Attend religious services;
They worship in the traditional manner
Common Curiosities
Is worship only related to religious activities?
Primarily, yes. Worship is predominantly a religious activity involving reverence towards a deity.
How can devotion manifest in everyday life?
Devotion can be seen in dedicated service to others, deep commitment to one's job, or sustained support of loved ones.
What is the main difference between devotion and worship?
Devotion is a broad commitment or love, potentially secular, while worship specifically involves religious reverence.
Can devotion be considered a form of worship?
In religious contexts, devotion can be a form of worship, but not all acts of devotion are worship.
What are typical elements of worship?
Typical elements include prayers, hymns, and other rituals designed to honor and reverence a god or deity.
Can devotion be negative?
When excessive, devotion can become obsessive, potentially leading to negative outcomes.
How do devotion and worship impact personal growth?
Both can lead to personal growth, with devotion enhancing emotional resilience and worship fostering spiritual development.
Are there specific places associated with worship?
Yes, places like churches, mosques, temples, and synagogues are specifically associated with worship.
Can someone worship without being part of a religion?
Worship typically involves a religious framework, but individuals may feel a sense of worship towards non-religious entities or ideals in a metaphorical sense.
What role does community play in worship?
Community often plays a central role in worship, providing a shared space for collective religious experiences.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
