Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5760 Human attitudes and behaviour  »  5781 affection

Positive feelings towards another, often expressed in terms of attachment and warmth.

People and things arouse affection

Whole churches

Philippians 1:7 See also 2 Corinthians 7:13-15

Friends

1 Samuel 18:1 See also 1 Samuel 18:3; Samuel 20:41-42; John 11:36; Romans 16:5,9,12; Colossians 4:14; 3 John 1

Strangers

Luke 7:13

The temple

Ezekiel 24:21

Jerusalem

Nehemiah 1:3-4 See also Psalm 137:6

Affection is sometimes expressed in familial terms

1 Samuel 3:16; 1 Corinthians 4:17 See also 1 Samuel 4:16; Samuel 24:11; 2 Samuel 18:22; 2 Kings 2:12; John 13:33; 2 Corinthians 6:13; 2 Timothy 2:1; Phm 10; 1 Peter 5:13; 1 John 2:28

Emotions expressing affection

Tenderness

Genesis 34:3 See also Luke 7:38; Philippians 2:1

Longing

Philippians 1:8 See also 2 Samuel 14:1; Matthew 23:37 pp Luke 13:34; Romans 15:23; 2 Corinthians 7:11; Galatians 4:20; Philippians 2:26; Philippians 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:4

Openness

2 Corinthians 6:11 See also 2 Corinthians 6:12-13

Compassion

Matthew 9:36 pp Mark 6:34 See also 1 Kings 3:26; Isaiah 49:15; Luke 15:20; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 3:8

Sorrow

2 Corinthians 2:4 See also Psalm 35:14; Lamentations 2:11; Romans 9:2-3

Joy

Phm 7 See also Proverbs 23:15; Proverbs 27:11; Galatians 4:14-15; 2Jn 12

Concern

1 Corinthians 4:14 See also Proverbs 1:8; Proverbs 27:6; Proverbs 31:2-3; Ecclesiastes 12:12; 2 Corinthians 7:7; Corinthians 8:16; Corinthians 12:19; Galatians 4:11-12,19; Philippians 4:10; 1 Timothy 1:18

See also

2015  Christ, compassion
5690  friends
5806  compassion
5844  emotions
5895  intimacy
5898  kissing
5952  sorrow
5966  tenderness
8283  joy
8292  love
8632  adoration