Affection, in the biblical context, refers to the feelings of love, care, and warmth that individuals express towards one another. It is a fundamental aspect of human relationships and is deeply rooted in the teachings of Scripture. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on affection, emphasizing its importance in the life of believers.

Old Testament Insights

In the Old Testament, affection is often demonstrated through familial relationships and friendships. The bond between Jonathan and David is a notable example. In 1 Samuel 18:1, it is written, "Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself." This deep affection is further illustrated by Jonathan's willingness to protect David from his father, King Saul.

The love and affection between family members are also highlighted in the account of Jacob and his son Joseph. Genesis 37:3 states, "Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made him an ornate robe." This affection, while genuine, also led to familial strife, demonstrating the complexities of human emotions.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament expands on the concept of affection, particularly through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus Himself exemplified perfect love and affection, as seen in His interactions with His disciples and the people He ministered to. In John 13:34-35, Jesus commands, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another."

The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the theme of affection in his epistles. In Romans 12:10, he writes, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another." This verse underscores the importance of genuine affection among believers, encouraging them to prioritize love and honor in their relationships.

Paul also speaks of affection in the context of marriage. In Ephesians 5:25, he instructs, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her." This sacrificial love is the highest form of affection, modeled after Christ's love for His church.

Affection in the Early Church

The early church is depicted as a community marked by affection and mutual care. Acts 2:44-47 describes the believers as being together and having everything in common, selling their possessions to give to anyone in need. This communal life was characterized by affection and unity, serving as a powerful witness to the surrounding world.

Practical Application

Affection is not merely an emotion but is often expressed through actions. The Bible encourages believers to demonstrate affection through acts of kindness, service, and encouragement. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Paul exhorts, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." Such expressions of affection strengthen the body of Christ and reflect the love of God to others.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of affection is deeply intertwined with love, service, and community. It is a vital component of Christian living, reflecting the character of God and the teachings of Jesus. Through affection, believers are called to build up one another, foster unity, and demonstrate the transformative power of the Gospel in their relationships.1 Corinthians 7:2
Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
Topicalbible.org

Colossians 3:5
Mortify therefore your members which are on the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Topicalbible.org

Ephesians 5:5
For this you know, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Topicalbible.org

Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Topicalbible.org

Feeling or emotion. Mention is made of "vile affections" (Romans 1:26) and "inordinate affection" (Colossians 3:5). Christians are exhorted to set their affections on things above (Colossians 3:2). There is a distinction between natural and spiritual or gracious affections (Ezek. 33:32). 1. (n.) The act of affecting or acting upon; the state of being affected.

2. (n.) An attribute; a quality or property; a condition; a bodily state; as, figure, weight, etc. , are affections of bodies.

3. (n.) Bent of mind; a feeling or natural impulse or natural impulse acting upon and swaying the mind; any emotion; as, the benevolent affections, esteem, gratitude, etc.; the malevolent affections, hatred, envy, etc.; inclination; disposition; propensity; tendency.

4. (n.) A settled good will; kind feeling; love; zealous or tender attachment; -- often in the pl. Formerly followed by to, but now more generally by for or towards; as, filial, social, or conjugal affections; to have an affection for or towards children.

5. (n.) Prejudice; bias.

6. (n.) Disease; morbid symptom; malady; as, a pulmonary affection.

7. (n.) The lively representation of any emotion.

8. (n.) Affectation.

9. (n.) Passion; violent emotion.

AFFECT; AFFECTION

a-fekt', a-fek'-shun: The literal meaning of "affect" is to act upon (Latin ad, "to," "upon," facio, "to do"). It has various shades of meaning, and occurs in the following senses in the English Bible:

(1) In its literal sense: Lamentations 3:51, "Mine eye affecteth my soul"

(2) In the sense of "to endeavor after," "desire," "court": Galatians 4:17, "They zealously affect (the Revised Version (British and American) "seek") you. that ye may affect (the Revised Version (British and American) "seek") them," i.e. they earnestly court your favor, that you may court theirs. Paul means that the proselytizing zeal of the Judaizers was rooted in personal ambition. The past part. "affected" (the Revised Version (British and American) "sought") has the same meaning in Galatians 4:18. The same Greek word (zeloo) is translated "desire earnestly" in the Revised Version (British and American) (1 Corinthians 12:31; 1 Corinthians 14:1, 39). "Affect" has a similar meaning in Ecclesiasticus 13:11.

(3) In the passive, it occurs in the sense of "to be disposed," in a neutral sense, with an adverb to characterize the nature of the disposition: Acts 14:2, "evil affected against the brethren" So also 2 Maccabees 4:21; 13:26.

"Affection" occurs in the following senses:

(1) In the literal sense: the state of having one's feelings acted upon or affected in some way; bent or disposition of mind, in a neutral sense (the nature of the affection, whether good or bad, needing further description in the context). So Colossians 3:2, "Set your affection (the Revised Version (British and American) "mind") on things above"; Colossians 3:5, "inordinate affection" (here "affection" by itself is neutral; the addition of the adjective makes it equivalent to "passion" in an evil sense, as in the Revised Version (British and American)).

(2) In a good sense: tender feeling, warm attachment, good will; the word in itself carrying a good meaning apart from the context. 1 Chronicles 29:3, "because I have set my affection on the house of my God"; Romans 1:31 2 Timothy 3:3, "without natural affection", 2 Corinthians 6:12 "Ye are straitened in your own affections" (lit. "bowels," regarded as the seat of kindly feelings, compare Eng "heart") So 2 Corinthians 7:15.

(3) In an evil sense in the plural = passions. Galatians 5:24, the flesh, with the affections (the Revised Version (British and American) "passions") and "lusts"; Romans 1:26, "God gave them unto vile affections" (the Revised Version (British and American) "passions").

"Affectioned" occurs once, in a neutral sense: Romans 12:10, "affectioned (i.e. "disposed") one to another" In 1 Thessalonians 2:8, we have "affectionately," in a good sense.

D. Miall Edwards

794. astorgos -- without natural affection
... without natural affection. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: astorgos Phonetic
Spelling: (as'-tor-gos) Short Definition: unloving, devoid of affection ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/794.htm - 6k

5384. philos -- beloved, dear, friendly
... 5384 -- a friend; someone loved (prized) in a personal, intimate way; a
trusted , held dear in a close bond of personal affection. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5384.htm - 7k

4698. splagchnon -- the inward parts (heart, liver, lungs, etc.) ...
... the emotions NASB Word Usage affection (3), affections (1), heart (4), hearts (1),
intestines (1), tender (1). bowels, inward affection, tender mercy. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4698.htm - 7k

5360. philadelphia -- the love of brothers, brotherly love
... brethren. 5360 (from 5384 , "loving friend" and 80 , "a brother") -- properly,
affection for the (fellow-believers). Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5360.htm - 7k

3655b. homeiromai -- to desire earnestly
... 3655a, 3655b. homeiromai. 3656 . to desire earnestly. Transliteration:
homeiromai Short Definition: affection. Word Origin of uncertain ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3655b.htm - 5k

5387. philostorgos -- tenderly loving
... 5387 (" love, shown by ") is that special affection shared between members
of -- people (divinely adopted) and serving the () ! ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5387.htm - 7k

5370. philema -- a kiss
... 5370 (from 5368 , "share warm affection") -- a to show respect or affection
between friends -- ie people sharing a deep (common) bond. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5370.htm - 6k

5373. philia -- friendship
... of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: philia Phonetic Spelling: (fil-ee'-ah)
Short Definition: friendship Definition: friendship, affection, fondness, love ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5373.htm - 6k

3806. pathos -- that which befalls one, a passion, a suffering
... Word Origin from pascho Definition that which befalls one, a passion, a suffering
NASB Word Usage passion (2), passions (1). inordinate affection, lust. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3806.htm - 7k

5368. phileo -- to love
... Transliteration: phileo Phonetic Spelling: (fil-eh'-o) Short Definition: I love,
kiss Definition: I love (of friendship), regard with affection, cherish; I kiss ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5368.htm - 8k

5689. agab -- to have inordinate affection, lust
... 5688, 5689. agab. 5690 . to have inordinate affection, lust. Transliteration:
agab Phonetic Spelling: (aw-gab') Short Definition: lusted. Word Origin a prim ...
/hebrew/5689.htm - 6k

7521. ratsah -- to be pleased with, accept favorably
... be acceptable, accomplish, set affection, approve, consent with. A primitive
root; to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a ...
/hebrew/7521.htm - 6k

158. ahab -- love (noun)
... 1). lover. From 'ahab; affection (in a good or a bad sense) -- love(-r). see
HEBREW 'ahab. 157, 158. ahab. 159 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/158.htm - 6k

2836a. chashaq -- to be attached to, love
... root Definition to be attached to, love NASB Word Usage have a desire (1), kept
(1), longs (1), loved (1), pleased* (2), set his affection (1), set his love (1 ...
/hebrew/2836a.htm - 5k

4261. machmad -- desire, desirable thing
... From chamad; delightful; hence, a delight, ie Object of affection or desire -- beloved,
desire, goodly, lovely, pleasant (thing). see HEBREW chamad. ...
/hebrew/4261.htm - 6k

3033. yediduth -- love
... dearly beloved. From ydiyd; properly, affection; concretely, a darling object --
dearly beloved. see HEBREW ydiyd. 3032, 3033. yediduth. 3034 . ...
/hebrew/3033.htm - 6k

157. aheb -- to love
... beloved like, friend. Or raheb {aw-habe'}; a primitive root; to have affection for
(sexually or otherwise) -- (be-)love(-d, -ly, -r), like, friend. 156, 157. ...
/hebrew/157.htm - 6k

2245. chabab -- to love
... love. A primitive root (compare chaba', chabah); properly, to hide (as in the bosom),
ie To cherish (with affection) -- love. see HEBREW chaba'. ...
/hebrew/2245.htm - 6k

And Yet, by Reason of that Affection of the Human Heart...
... 9. And yet, by reason of that affection of the human heart? 9. And yet,
by reason of that affection of the human heart, whereby ...
/.../augustine/on care to be had for the dead /9 and yet by reason.htm

This Affection the Martyrs of Christ Contending for the Truth did ...
... 10. This affection the Martyrs of Christ contending for the truth did overcome?
10. This affection the Martyrs of Christ contending ...
/.../augustine/on care to be had for the dead /10 this affection the martyrs.htm

I Mean by Charity that Affection of the Mind which Aims at the ...
... Book 3 Chapter 16. I mean by charity that affection of the mind which aims
at the enjoyment? 16. I mean by charity that affection ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 16 i mean by.htm

Family Affection from Religious Principles.
... 928. " Family Affection from Religious Principles. 928. SM Watts. Family
Affection from Religious Principles. 1 How pleasing, Lord! ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/928 family affection from.htm

Clement's Affection for Peter.
... Book VII. Chapter V."Clement's Affection for Peter. Then I:answered: "Think
not, my lord, that I suffer these things unreasonably ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter v clements affection for peter.htm

The Flesh, Carnal Affection.
... Book I. Chapter 35 [XXXI.]"The Flesh, Carnal Affection. But we have in the
apostle's own language, a little before, a sufficiently ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 35 xxxi the flesh carnal.htm

That Charity and Brotherly Affection are to be Religiously and ...
... Third Book. 3. That charity and brotherly affection are to be religiously and
stedfastly practised. In Malachi: "Hath not one God created us? ...
/.../three books of testimonies against the jews/3 that charity and brotherly.htm

How that a Man's Affection is Marvelously Changed in Ghostly ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE NINE AND SIXTIETH CHAPTER How that a man's affection is marvelously
changed in ghostly feeling of this nought, when it is nowhere wrought. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the nine and 5.htm

The Following Letter is Added as a Specimen, Out of a Very Large ...
... The following letter is added as a specimen, out of a very large number, of the
natural, almost playful style, and tone of warm affection, in which Chrysostom ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/the following letter is added.htm

God is the Chief Good, whom we are to Seek after with Supreme ...
... Of the Morals of the Catholic Church. Chapter 8. "God is the Chief Good,
Whom We are to Seek After with Supreme Affection. 13. ...
/.../chapter 8 name is the.htm

Affection (30 Occurrences)
... Mention is made of "vile affections" (Romans 1:26) and "inordinate affection"
(Colossians 3:5). Christians are exhorted to set their affections on things above ...
/a/affection.htm - 20k

Affect (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To love; to regard with affection. ... 9. (vt) To assign; to appoint. 10.
(n.) Affection; inclination; passion; feeling; disposition. Int. ...
/a/affect.htm - 11k

Tend (24 Occurrences)
... breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more
than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you ...
/t/tend.htm - 14k

Brotherly (8 Occurrences)
... man. Brotherhood is first known as the relation between sons of the same
parent, a relation of tender affection and benevolence. ...
/b/brotherly.htm - 15k

Passions (26 Occurrences)
... and American) "passion" in this sense is the translation of pathos, in its three
occurrences: Romans 1:26 (the King James Version "affection"); Colossians 3:5 ...
/p/passions.htm - 17k

Kiss (39 Occurrences)
... Of affection (Genesis 27:26, 27; 29:13; Luke 7:38, 45); reconciliation (Genesis
33:4; 2 Samuel 14:33); leave-taking (Genesis 31:28, 55; Ruth 1:14; 2 Samuel 19 ...
/k/kiss.htm - 25k

Friendship (13 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The state of being friends; friendly relation, or attachment, to a person,
or between persons; affection arising from mutual esteem and good will ...
/f/friendship.htm - 13k

Friend (139 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One who entertains for another such sentiments of esteem, respect, and
affection that he seeks his society aud welfare; a well-wisher; an intimate ...
/f/friend.htm - 40k

Passion (82 Occurrences)
... and American) "passion" in this sense is the translation of pathos, in its three
occurrences: Romans 1:26 (the King James Version "affection"); Colossians 3:5 ...
/p/passion.htm - 37k

Feed (117 Occurrences)
... breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more
than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you ...
/f/feed.htm - 39k

What are the five love languages? | GotQuestions.org

What is love? What is the definition of love? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of beloved in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Affection: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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