In the biblical narrative, man is depicted as a being endowed with a range of affections, reflecting the image of God in which he was created. These affections are integral to human nature and are evident throughout Scripture, influencing actions, relationships, and spiritual life.

Love: The most profound of human affections is love, which is central to the biblical understanding of human relationships and divine commandments. In Matthew 22:37-39 , Jesus emphasizes the importance of love, stating, "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" This dual commandment underscores love as foundational to human existence and moral duty.

Compassion and Mercy: Compassion is another significant affection, often demonstrated in the life and teachings of Jesus. In Matthew 9:36 , it is recorded, "When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." This compassion is a call for believers to emulate Christ's mercy and care for others, reflecting God's own merciful nature.

Joy and Delight: Joy is a recurring theme in Scripture, associated with the presence and blessings of God. Psalm 16:11 declares, "You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." This joy is not merely an emotional response but a deep-seated contentment and delight in God's goodness and faithfulness.

Grief and Sorrow: Human affections also encompass grief and sorrow, which are acknowledged and validated in the Bible. Ecclesiastes 3:4 states, "a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." The expression of sorrow is seen as a natural and necessary part of life, with the Psalms often providing a voice for lament and the seeking of God's comfort.

Anger: Anger is another human affection addressed in Scripture, with guidance on its righteous and unrighteous expressions. Ephesians 4:26-27 advises, "‘Be angry, yet do not sin.’ Do not let the sun set upon your anger, and do not give the devil a foothold." This passage acknowledges anger as a natural emotion but warns against allowing it to lead to sin or division.

Hope and Longing: Hope is a powerful affection that propels believers toward the future promises of God. Romans 15:13 offers a benediction of hope: "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." This hope is rooted in faith and the assurance of God's faithfulness.

Fear and Reverence: The Bible also speaks of fear, particularly the fear of the Lord, as a profound and necessary affection. Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." This reverential fear is not terror but a deep respect and awe for God's majesty and holiness.

In summary, the affections of man, as portrayed in the Bible, are diverse and complex, reflecting the image of God and shaping the moral and spiritual dimensions of human life. These affections are to be guided by Scripture and the Holy Spirit, aligning with God's will and purposes.1 Chronicles 29:3
Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of my own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Colossians 3:2
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Whether Covetousness is a Spiritual Sin?
... xxix in Matth.) compares the covetous man to the man who was possessed by the devil ...
I answer that, Sins are seated chiefly in the affections: and all the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether covetousness is a spiritual.htm

On the Creation, and Chiefly that of Man
... former class comprises the understanding, the affections, and the ... state Adam neither
received or possessed a Proximate ... been to be created within man himself.8 ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/on the creation and chiefly.htm

Of God, and his Anger and Affections.
... as they are worthy of the divine power, He has affections of His own, [1738] both
just and true. And if He is not possessed of them, the life of man will be ...
/.../a treatise on the anger of god addressed to donatus/chap xvi of god and his.htm

"Now the God of Hope Fill You with all Joy and Peace in Believing ...
... and bodily, eternal things and temporal, that there is no man possessed of spiritual ...
minds, and so draw after them the choicest of their affections, that they ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon ix now the god.htm

A Selection from the Notices of Mr. Robertson's Sermons, and of ...
... they stir the soul to its inmost depths: they move the affections, raise the ... retired
minister of Trinity Chapel there had existed a man possessed of consummate ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/a selection from the notices.htm

Clearly Seeing the Fallacies of the Manich??ans, He Retires from ...
... these things, and said nothing; but this man possessed a heart ... didst it, for the
steps of a man are ordered ... v. 11): "If your affections were set upon spiritual ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter vii clearly seeing the fallacies.htm

The Original and the Actual Relation of Man to Law.
... The instant the desires and affections of our hearts are transformed, so that they
accord with the Divine law ... If this is all that a man is possessed of, he ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/the original and the actual.htm

Whether Man's Happiness Consists in Wealth?
... in that which has the greatest hold on man's affections. ... which is the last end of
man, to consist ... the more perfectly the sovereign good is possessed, the more ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether mans happiness consists in.htm

Possessing and Possessed
... Those outward things which a man has stand in no real ... We possess Him and are possessed
by Him, when our ... with Him and His truth, when our affections rest in Him ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/possessing and possessed.htm

The Rich Man and Lazarus.
... his sores, will be compassed about with human affections, and all ... huge world have
said, if it had possessed intelligence, when God became man and dwelt ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/xxvi the rich man and.htm

Is God man-made? Did man create the idea of God? | GotQuestions.org

How can Jesus be God, when Numbers 23:19 says that God is not a man or a son of man? | GotQuestions.org

What is the origin of man? | GotQuestions.org

Man: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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