Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5020 human nature

5020 human nature

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5019 human nature » 5020 human nature

Human nature was created by God, is corrupted by sin and can only be renewed and recreated through the grace of God. Redemption was achieved by Jesus Christ taking upon himself sinful human nature on the cross, so delivering from the power and penalty of sin.

Human nature is created by God

God created humanity

Exodus 4:11; Isaiah 45:12 See also Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 95:6; Psalm 100:3; Proverbs 22:2; Jeremiah 27:5

God created human beings as male and female

Genesis 1:27; Genesis 5:2 See also Mark 10:6 pp Matthew 19:4

God created human beings in his image and likeness

Colossians 3:9-10 See also Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 5:1; Genesis 9:6; James 3:9

Human nature is created inferior to God himself

Psalm 8:3-5 See also Numbers 23:19; Psalm 144:3; Hosea 11:9

Human nature is given life by the Spirit of God

Genesis 2:7 See also Job 12:10; Job 27:3; Isaiah 42:5; Isaiah 57:16; Jeremiah 38:16

Human beings are dependent upon God

Jeremiah 10:23 See also 2 Chronicles 20:12; Psalm 16:2; Matthew 4:4; 2 Corinthians 3:5

Human beings have freedom to choose between good and evil

Deuteronomy 11:26-28 See also Deuteronomy 30:15-16,19; Joshua 24:15; 1 Chronicles 28:9; Jeremiah 26:3; Ezekiel 18:21-23

The components of human nature

The soul

Psalm 116:7 The Hebrew and Greek words for “soul” are translated in various ways by the NIV, including “breath” and “life”. It refers chiefly to the principle of life. See also Mark 8:35-37; Luke 1:46; 1 Peter 1:9; Peter 2:11

The spirit

James 2:26 The Hebrew and Greek words for “spirit” are translated in various ways by the NIV, including “breath”, “heart” and “mind”. It often refers to the identity-giving aspect of human nature. See also Job 34:14; Psalm 77:3; Psalm 142:3; Matthew 26:41; Luke 8:55; Acts 7:59; Romans 8:16; Hebrews 4:12

The flesh

Jeremiah 17:5 The Hebrew and Greek words for “flesh” are translated in various ways by the NIV, including “body”, “flesh” and “human nature”. The term can refer specifically to the frailty of human nature or to human nature in opposition to God. See also Genesis 6:3; Job 10:4; Psalm 78:39; Matthew 26:41; Philippians 3:3-5

Human nature became corrupted by sin

Sin has its origins in the disobedience of Adam and Eve

Genesis 2:16; Genesis 3:1-6; Romans 5:12-19; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 2:14; James 1:13-15

Sin affects human nature universally

Isaiah 64:6 See also Job 25:4; Jeremiah 17:9; John 3:19; Romans 3:23

Human nature is trapped in its sinful condition

Romans 7:24 See also Genesis 6:5; John 8:34-36; Romans 6:16-17; Romans 7:5; Ephesians 2:3; 2 Peter 2:18-19

Sin hardens human nature

1 Samuel 6:6 See also Exodus 8:15,32; Psalm 95:8; Proverbs 28:14; Hebrews 3:8,15; Hebrews 4:7

Human nature is mortal on account of sin

Romans 5:12; Romans 8:10 See also Genesis 6:5-7; Job 14:1-5; 1 Corinthians 15:22; 2 Corinthians 5:1; 2 Timothy 1:10

Human nature can be redeemed through Jesus Christ