Dictionary of Bible Themes – 5020 human nature
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5020 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 Ex 4:11; Isa 45:12 See also Ge 1:26-27; Ps 95:6; Ps 100:3; Pr 22:2; Jer 27:5

God created human beings as male and female Ge 1:27; Ge 5:2 See also Mk 10:6 pp Mt 19:4

God created human beings in his image and likeness Col 3:9-10 See also Ge 1:26-27; Ge 5:1; Ge 9:6; Jas 3:9

Human nature is created inferior to God himself Ps 8:3-5 See also Nu 23:19; Ps 144:3; Hos 11:9

Human nature is given life by the Spirit of God Ge 2:7 See also Job 12:10; Job 27:3; Isa 42:5; Isa 57:16; Jer 38:16

Human beings are dependent upon God Jer 10:23 See also 2Ch 20:12; Ps 16:2; Mt 4:4; 2Co 3:5

Human beings have freedom to choose between good and evil Dt 11:26-28 See also Dt 30:15-16,19; Jos 24:15; 1Ch 28:9; Jer 26:3; Eze 18:21-23

The components of human nature

The soul Ps 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 Mk 8:35-37; Lk 1:46; 1Pe 1:9; 1Pe 2:11

The spirit Jas 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; Ps 77:3; Ps 142:3; Mt 26:41; Lk 8:55; Ac 7:59; Ro 8:16; Heb 4:12

The flesh Jer 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 Ge 6:3; Job 10:4; Ps 78:39; Mt 26:41; Php 3:3-5

Human nature became corrupted by sin

Sin has its origins in the disobedience of Adam and Eve Ge 2:16; Ge 3:1-6; Ro 5:12-19; 2Co 11:3; 1Ti 2:14; Jas 1:13-15

Sin affects human nature universally Isa 64:6 See also Job 25:4; Jer 17:9; Jn 3:19; Ro 3:23

Human nature is trapped in its sinful condition Ro 7:24 See also Ge 6:5; Jn 8:34-36; Ro 6:16-17; Ro 7:5; Eph 2:3; 2Pe 2:18-19

Sin hardens human nature 1Sa 6:6 See also Ex 8:15,32; Ps 95:8; Pr 28:14; Heb 3:8,15; Heb 4:7

Human nature is mortal on account of sin Ro 5:12; Ro 8:10 See also Ge 6:5-7; Job 14:1-5; 1Co 15:22; 2Co 5:1; 2Ti 1:10

Human nature can be redeemed through Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ took human nature upon himself Jn 1:14

Jesus Christ mediated between God and humanity in his human nature 1Ti 2:3-6 See also Heb 8:6; Heb 9:15; 1Jn 2:1

Jesus Christ makes possible the reversal of Adam’s disobedience Ro 5:19 See also Ro 5:12-17

Jesus Christ makes possible a sharing in God’s nature 2Pe 1:4

See also

2321Christ as redeemer
4005creation
4018life, spiritual
5014heart, human
5023image of God
5038mind, the human
5062spirit
6022sin, causes of
6166flesh, sinful nature
8442good works
8735evil, origins of
8848worldliness