In the context of the Bible, the term "affectionately" refers to the expression of love, care, and warmth towards others. This concept is deeply rooted in the teachings of Scripture, where believers are encouraged to demonstrate genuine affection as a reflection of God's love.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible emphasizes the importance of love and affection among believers. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul often speaks of his deep affection for the churches and individuals he ministered to. For instance, in 1 Thessalonians 2:8 , Paul writes, "We cared so deeply that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our own lives as well. That is how beloved you have become to us." This verse highlights the depth of Paul's affection, which went beyond mere words to include sharing life and experiences.

Expressions of Affection

1. Family and Community: Affection is a key component of familial and communal relationships in the Bible. In Romans 12:10 , Paul instructs believers, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another." This verse underscores the importance of affection within the Christian community, encouraging believers to show love and honor to one another.

2. Christ's Example: Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of affectionate love. His interactions with His disciples and the people He ministered to were marked by compassion and care. In John 13:34-35 , Jesus commands, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." Here, Jesus sets the standard for affectionate love, which is to be a defining characteristic of His followers.

3. Parental Affection: The Bible also speaks to the affectionate relationship between parents and children. In Ephesians 6:4 , Paul advises, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This instruction implies a nurturing and affectionate approach to parenting, where love and guidance are paramount.

Challenges and Encouragement

While the Bible calls for affectionate relationships, it also acknowledges the challenges that can arise. Human nature, with its tendencies toward selfishness and pride, can hinder the expression of genuine affection. However, believers are encouraged to rely on the Holy Spirit to cultivate the fruit of love in their lives. Galatians 5:22-23 lists love as the first fruit of the Spirit, indicating its foundational role in the Christian life.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of affectionately involves a heartfelt commitment to love and care for others, reflecting the love of Christ. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are equipped to overcome challenges and live out this calling in their relationships, both within the family of God and beyond.(adv.) With affection; lovingly; fondly; tenderly; kindly.2442. himeiromai -- be affectionately desirous.
... 2441, 2442. himeiromai. 2443 . be affectionately desirous. ... Word Origin variant
reading for homeiromai, qv. be affectionately desirous. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2442.htm - 6k

2705. kataphileo -- to kiss fervently
... to kiss fervently. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kataphileo Phonetic Spelling:
(kat-af-ee-leh'-o) Short Definition: I kiss affectionately Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2705.htm - 7k

794. astorgos -- without natural affection
... From a (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of stergo (to cherish
affectionately); hard-hearted towards kindred -- without natural affection. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/794.htm - 6k

The Reason of My Humbly and Affectionately Addressing this ...
... Address 1: The reason of my humbly and affectionately addressing this discourse
to the clergy? The reason of my humbly and affectionately ...
/.../address 1 0 the reason of.htm

A Selection from the Notices of Mr. Robertson's Sermons, and of ...
... "To those who affectionately remember the author, they will recall, though imperfectly,
his living eloquence and his living truthfulness.". [GLOBE.]. ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/a selection from the notices.htm

On the Worthy Praise of the Pure Queen of Heaven.
... Look at her mild eyes which so often looked kindly on Thee; behold Those fair cheeks
which she so often affectionately pressed to Thy infant face. ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter xvi on the worthy.htm

The Character of the Persons for whom this Rest is Designed.
... and would, if he might, proceed in that deserving: but, being apprehended by love,
he is brought to him that is all; and most affectionately receiving him, and ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter iv the character of.htm

1 Thessalonians i. 10-Aug
... Ver.7, 8. "But we were gentle in the midst of you, as when a nurse cherisheth her
own children: even so, being affectionately desirous of you, we were well ...
/.../homily ii 1 thessalonians i.htm

Hints on Extemporaneous Preaching
... UNIVERSITY, THIS LITTLE TREATISE, WITH THE SINCEREST PRAYERS THAT THEY MAY BECOME
PROFOUND DIVINES AND POWERFUL PREACHERS, IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED BY THE ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ware/hints on extemporaneous preaching/title page.htm

The National Preacher, Vol. 2 No. 7 Dec. 1827
... MINISTERS, of different Christian denominations, willing to aid in executing the
design, are affectionately requested to write as soon as practicable -- either ...
/.../leland/the national preacher vol 2 no 7 dec 1827/title page.htm

To My Younger Brethren
... AND RURAL DEAN,. AND TO MY DEAR BROTHERS AND FRIENDS,. THE PRESENT AND PAST STUDENTS.
OF RIDLEY HALL, CAMBRIDGE,. THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED. HCGM. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moule/to my younger brethren/title page.htm

The Message and the Man
... A PRIMITIVE METHODIST PREACHER. FOR FIFTY-FIVE YEARS. AND. PRESIDENT OF THE CONFERENCE.
of. 1897. THIS BOOK IS. AFFECTIONATELY AND REVERENTLY. DEDICATED. BY. HIS ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jackson/the message and the man/title page.htm

The Divine Inspiration of the Bible
... I affectionately inscribe this book to my dear father and mother, in grateful
appreciation of the fact that from a child I was taught to revere the Holy ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the divine inspiration of the bible/title page.htm

Affectionately (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) With affection; lovingly; fondly; tenderly; kindly.
Multi-Version Concordance Affectionately (1 Occurrence). ...
/a/affectionately.htm - 7k

Fond (6 Occurrences)
... 5. (superl.) Loving; much pleased; affectionately regardful, indulgent, or desirous;
longing or yearning; -- followed by of (formerly also by on). ...
/f/fond.htm - 8k

Affection (30 Occurrences)
... Affectioned" occurs once, in a neutral sense: Romans 12:10, "affectioned (ie "disposed")
one to another" In 1 Thessalonians 2:8, we have "affectionately," in a ...
/a/affection.htm - 20k

Lovingly (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) With love; affectionately. Multi-Version
Concordance Lovingly (7 Occurrences). Mark 10:16 Then He ...
/l/lovingly.htm - 8k

Longing (40 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Even so, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased
to impart to you, not the Good News of God only, but also our own souls ...
/l/longing.htm - 18k

Imparted (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 2:8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to
have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls ...
/i/imparted.htm - 8k

Impart (12 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Even so, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased
to impart to you, not the Good News of God only, but also our own souls ...
/i/impart.htm - 11k

Drawn (131 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Seeing that we were thus drawn affectionately towards you, it
would have been a joy to us to have imparted to you not only God's Good News ...
/d/drawn.htm - 37k

Desirous (31 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 2:8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to
have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls ...
/d/desirous.htm - 15k

Brotherly (8 Occurrences)
... affectionate; as, brotherly love. 2. (adv.) Like a brother; affectionately; kindly.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BROTHERLY. bruth'-er-li ...
/b/brotherly.htm - 15k

What does the Bible say about Christian mothers? | GotQuestions.org

Affectionately: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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