Admiration, in a biblical context, refers to a sense of wonder, reverence, or deep respect towards God, His creation, or His works. It is an emotion that acknowledges the greatness and majesty of God, often leading to worship and praise. The Bible provides numerous instances where admiration is expressed towards God and His mighty acts.

Admiration of God’s Creation

The Bible frequently highlights the beauty and complexity of God’s creation, prompting admiration and awe. In Psalm 19:1, the psalmist declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." This verse reflects the admiration for the natural world as a testament to God’s creative power. Similarly, in Romans 1:20, Paul writes, "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." Here, admiration for creation leads to an understanding of God’s nature.

Admiration in Worship

Admiration is a key component of worship, as believers express their reverence and awe for God. In Revelation 4:11, the heavenly hosts proclaim, "Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created." This passage illustrates the admiration and worship directed towards God for His sovereignty and creative authority.

Admiration of God’s Works and Deeds

The Bible recounts numerous acts of God that inspire admiration among His people. In Exodus 15:11, after the crossing of the Red Sea, Moses and the Israelites sing, "Who among the gods is like You, O LORD? Who is like You—majestic in holiness, revered with praises, performing wonders?" This song of praise reflects the admiration for God’s miraculous deliverance and His unparalleled power.

Admiration of Jesus Christ

The New Testament presents Jesus Christ as the ultimate revelation of God’s character, prompting admiration and devotion. In Colossians 1:15-16, Paul writes, "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him." This passage emphasizes the admiration for Christ’s preeminence and His role in creation.

Admiration in the Lives of Believers

Believers are encouraged to cultivate admiration for God in their daily lives. In Philippians 4:8, Paul exhorts, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." This instruction highlights the importance of focusing on admirable qualities and deeds, which ultimately lead to a deeper appreciation of God’s goodness.

Admiration and Humility

Admiration for God often leads to humility, as individuals recognize their own limitations in light of God’s greatness. In Isaiah 6:5, the prophet Isaiah, upon seeing a vision of the Lord, exclaims, "Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." Isaiah’s response reflects the humility that accompanies genuine admiration for God’s holiness.

Admiration, as depicted in the Bible, is a profound acknowledgment of God’s majesty, power, and love. It is an integral part of the believer’s relationship with God, fostering worship, reverence, and a deeper understanding of His divine nature.1. (n.) Wonder; astonishment.

2. (n.) Wonder mingled with approbation or delight; an emotion excited by a person or thing possessed of wonderful or high excellence; as, admiration of a beautiful woman, of a landscape, of virtue.

3. (n.) Cause of admiration; something to excite wonder, or pleased surprise; a prodigy.

ADMIRATION

ad-mi-ra'-shun (thauma, "a marvel" or "wonder"; thaumazo, "to wonder"): A term thrice used in the King James Version in the New Testament, to express a wonder that includes approval, high esteem; replaced in the Revised Version (British and American) by three renderings better suited to convey the various kinds of surprise, wonder, admiration, expressed, by this fertile word: namely, in 2 Thessalonians 1:10, "to be admired," reads in the Revised Version (British and American) "to be marveled at"; in Jude 1:16 "having men's persons in admiration" is rendered "showing respect of persons"; in Revelation 17:6 "wondered with great admiration" is replaced by "with a great wonder." The Greek original is used frequently in the New Testament, especially in the Gospels, to express marvel and wonder at the supernatural works of Jesus.

Dwight M. Pratt

2295. thauma -- a wonder
... admiration. Apparently from a form of theaomai; wonder (properly concrete; but
by implication, abstract) -- admiration. see GREEK theaomai. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2295.htm - 6k

2296. thaumazo -- to marvel, wonder
... admire, marvel, wonder. From thauma; to wonder; by implication, to admire --
admire, have in admiration, marvel, wonder. see GREEK thauma. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2296.htm - 9k

4587. semnotes -- seriousness
... Cognate: 4587 -- properly, ("") referring to what has (dignity); hence, for
what is worthy of respect (personal admiration). See 4586 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4587.htm - 7k

And Mary was Held in Admiration by all the People of Israel...
... Chapter 6. And Mary was held in admiration by all the people of Israel?
And Mary was held in admiration by all the people of Israel ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of pseudo-matthew/chapter 6 and mary was.htm

"For, if it is Worthy of Admiration that the Flames did not Touch ...
... Dialogues of Sulpitius Severus. Chapter XXV. "For, if it is worthy of
admiration that the flames did not touch that Egyptian? ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xxv for if it.htm

Before I Enter Upon the Subject Matter of this Passage, I must ...
... 9. Before I enter upon the subject matter of this passage, I must stand in
admiration of words worthy of Theophrastus. "I am informed ...
/.../9 before i enter upon.htm

Of Rapture, and of the First Species of It.
... The one is in splendour, the other in fervour, the third in works: the one is made
by admiration, the other by devotion, and the third by operation. ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter iv of rapture and.htm

Grace and Glory
... It meant the admiration of men. ... The glory of God, therefore, in Scripture, must needs
mean that admiration which men feel, or ought to feel for God. ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxv grace and glory.htm

Of the Second Species of Rapture.
... itself towards God, leaving all its earthly inclinations, and by this means enters
into a rapture, not of knowledge, but of fruition; not of admiration but of ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter v of the second.htm

Elegance and Grace
... and clear style. These qualities would not have brought him the honor of
the admiration and applause of the Roman people. It was ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/elegance and grace.htm

Argument: when Octavius had Finished this Address, Minucius and ...
... And Minucius Indeed Kept Silence in Admiration of Octavius, Silently
Revolving What He Had Heard. When Octavius had brought his ...
/.../the octavius of minucius felix/chapter xxxix argument when octavius had.htm

The Pietists. AD 1660-1750.
... seems to have been viewed with wonderful indifference, and the achievements of a
general like Prince Eugene only roused a little personal admiration for himself ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/chapter xi the pietists a d.htm

Fragment Lv. "Then Drew Near unto Him the Mother of Zebedee's ...
... "Then drew near." Sometimes virtue excites our admiration, not merely on account
of the display which is ... Do you wish to look upon Abraham with admiration? ...
/.../fragments from the lost writings of irenaeus/fragment lv then drew near.htm

Admiration (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Wonder mingled with approbation or delight; an emotion excited by a person
or thing possessed of wonderful or high excellence; as, admiration of a ...
/a/admiration.htm - 8k

Great (10383 Occurrences)
... by contact in earlier days with Athenians like Iphicrates, and the personal influence
of Epaminondas, Philip seems to have united to his admiration for Greek ...
/g/great.htm - 35k

Gaze (46 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To fix the eyes in a steady and earnest look; to look with eagerness or
curiosity, as in admiration, astonishment, or with studious attention. ...
/g/gaze.htm - 19k

Wonder (148 Occurrences)
... to the sight or mind of something new, unusual, strange, great, extraordinary, or
not well understood; surprise; astonishment; admiration; amazement. ...
/w/wonder.htm - 37k

Alexander (5 Occurrences)
... by contact in earlier days with Athenians like Iphicrates, and the personal influence
of Epaminondas, Philip seems to have united to his admiration for Greek ...
/a/alexander.htm - 32k

Nice (1 Occurrence)
... 6. (superl.) Done or made with careful labor; suited to excite admiration on account
of exactness; evidencing great skill; exact; fine; finished; as, nice ...
/n/nice.htm - 7k

Love (703 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A feeling of strong attachment induced by that which delights or commands
admiration; preeminent kindness or devotion to another; affection; tenderness ...
/l/love.htm - 65k

Glory (590 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Praise, honor, admiration, or distinction, accorded by common consent
to a person or thing; high reputation; honorable fame; renown. ...
/g/glory.htm - 71k

Glorious (91 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Praiseworthy; excellent; splendid; inspiring
admiration; as, glorious revelations. 2. (n.) Eager ...
/g/glorious.htm - 34k

Worship (332 Occurrences)
... viewed as God. 5. (a.) Obsequious or submissive respect; extravagant
admiration; adoration. 6. (n.) An object of worship. 7. (vt ...
/w/worship.htm - 66k

What does the Bible say about disrespect? | GotQuestions.org

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Admiration: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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