Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "passionate" can refer to intense emotions or fervent zeal, whether in a positive or negative sense. Passionate feelings and actions are depicted throughout Scripture, often highlighting the intensity of human emotions and their impact on one's relationship with God and others.
Positive Aspects of Passion1.
Zeal for God: Passionate devotion to God is commended in the Bible. The Psalmist expresses a deep longing for God, saying, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God" (
Psalm 42:1). This imagery reflects a fervent desire for communion with the Divine.
2.
Righteous Indignation: Jesus Himself displayed passionate zeal when He cleansed the temple, driving out those who were buying and selling there. His actions were a fulfillment of the prophecy, "Zeal for Your house will consume Me" (
John 2:17). This demonstrates that passionate anger, when aligned with God's righteousness, can be justified.
3.
Fervent Prayer: The Bible encourages believers to be passionate in prayer. James writes, "The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail" (
James 5:16). This suggests that fervency in prayer is effective and powerful.
Negative Aspects of Passion1.
Uncontrolled Anger: Passionate emotions can lead to sin if not controlled. Proverbs warns, "A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man is hated" (
Proverbs 14:17). Unchecked anger can result in foolish actions and damaged relationships.
2.
Lust and Desires: The Bible cautions against being led by passionate lusts. Paul admonishes believers, "Therefore do not let sin control your mortal body so that you obey its desires" (
Romans 6:12). Passionate desires, when not aligned with God's will, can lead to sin.
3.
Idolatry and Misplaced Zeal: Passionate devotion to anything other than God is considered idolatry. Paul speaks of those who are "zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge" (
Romans 10:2). Misguided zeal can lead to false worship and spiritual error.
Examples of Passionate Individuals1.
David: Known for his passionate heart for God, David's psalms often reflect his intense emotions, whether in worship, repentance, or lament. His life exemplifies both the positive and negative aspects of passion.
2.
Paul: Before his conversion, Paul was passionately zealous in persecuting the church (
Acts 8:3). After encountering Christ, his zeal was redirected towards spreading the Gospel, demonstrating how God can transform passionate zeal for His purposes.
3.
Elijah: The prophet Elijah displayed passionate zeal for the Lord when he confronted the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (
1 Kings 18:20-40). His fervent commitment to God was evident in his bold actions and prayers.
In summary, the Bible presents passion as a powerful force that can be used for good or ill. When directed towards God and aligned with His will, passion can lead to righteous actions and deep spiritual growth. However, when misdirected or uncontrolled, it can result in sin and separation from God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Capable or susceptible of passion, or of different passions; easily moved, excited or agitated; specifically, easily moved to anger; irascible; quick-tempered; as, a passionate nature.
2. (a.) Characterized by passion; expressing passion; ardent in feeling or desire; vehement; warm; as, a passionate friendship.
3. (a.) Suffering; sorrowful.
4. (v. i.) To affect with passion; to impassion.
5. (v. i.) To express feelingly or sorrowfully.
Greek
1939. epithumia -- desire,passionate longing, lust... desire,
passionate longing, lust. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
epithumia Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah) Short Definition: desire
...3711. orgilos -- inclined to anger,passionate
... inclined to anger,passionate. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: orgilos
Phonetic Spelling: (org-ee'-los) Short Definition: prone to anger Definition...
1760. enthumeomai -- to reflect on, to ponder
... 1760 (from 1722 , " a state or condition," intensifying 2372 , "passionate response") --
properly, a frame of mind, easily agitated or quickly moved by ....
1937. epithumeo -- desire, lust after
... 1937 (from 1909 , "focused " intensifying 2372 , "passionate desire") -- properly,
to show as it aptly builds on (Gk , "upon") what a person truly yearns for...
349. anakrazo -- to cry out
... 349 (from 303 " to a high point," intensifying 2896 , "cry out") -- properly, cry
out (in apassionate, excited way), usually with shrieks or screams (see at...
3709. orge -- impulse, wrath
... the verb meaning, 'to teem, to '; and thus implies that it is not a sudden outburst,
but rather (referring to God's) , controlled,passionate feeling against...
1761. enthumesis -- deliberation, pondering, pl. thoughts
... 1761 () emphasizes thepassionate () lodged within, ie the inner () driving
the reasoning (thought process, see BF Wescott). See 1760 ()....
Strong's Hebrew
7692. Shiggayon -- perhaps a wildpassionate song with rapid...... perhaps a wild
passionate song with rapid changes of rhythm. Transliteration: Shiggayon
or Shiggayonah Phonetic Spelling: (shig-gaw-yone') Short Definition
...Library
How the Meek and thePassionate are to be Admonished.
... How the meek and thepassionate are to be admonished. (Admonition 17.)
Differently to be admonished are the meek and thepassionate....
Elijah --Passionate in Prayer
... PART II. SOME BIBLE TYPES OF PRAYER VI. ELIJAH"PASSIONATE IN PRAYER.... Oh, if only
you had thatpassionate hope in your heart, which maketh not ashamed!...
Since, Then, allPassionate Excitement is Forbidden Us, we are...
... Chapter XVI. Since, then, allpassionate excitement is forbidden us, we are
debarred from every kind of? Since, then, allpassionate...
Serapion, the Archdeacon, and St. Olympias. Some of the Celebrated...
... St. Olympias. Some of the Celebrated Men insolently bear down upon John,
traducing him as Impracticable andPassionate. The enmity...
Gradual Development of Custom, and Its Results.Passionate Appeal...
... Chapter III."Gradual Development of Custom, and Its Results.Passionate
Appeal to Truth. But not even between customs have those...
Ittai of Gath
... Generosity breeds generosity, and this Philistine captain breaks out into a burst
ofpassionate devotion, garnished, in soldier fashion, with an unnecessary...
Saints, Sages, and Saviors: the Law of Service
... to them. It is an easy matter for thepassionate to be calm and patient
when they are alone, or are in the midst of calmness. It...
Love of God and Man
... He first taught Christians that they ought to love God with the samepassionate
affection with which they love husband or wife, mother or child; and to use...
Whether There Can be Moral virtue with Passion?
... iv) that "a gentle man is one who is notpassionate; but a patient man is one who
ispassionate but does not give way." The same applies to all the moral...
Answer to Mr. W's Sixth Objection.
... impossible, but thepassionate screams of the feminine by-standers might fright
her into fits, that bore the appearance of death; otherwise, why did Jesus turn...
Thesaurus
Passionate (6 Occurrences)... of passion, or of different passions; easily moved, excited or agitated; specifically,
easily moved to anger; irascible; quick-tempered; as, a
passionate nature
...Love (703 Occurrences)
... at this moment too cold a word, as though his Lord were keeping him at a distance,
or at least not inviting him to draw near, as in thepassionate yearning of...
Passionately (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) In apassionate manner; with strong feeling;
ardently. 2. (adv.) Angrily; irascibly. Multi-Version Concordance...
Ardent (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Hot or burning;passionate; fervent; as, an ardent concern; causing a sensation
of burning; fiery; as, ardent spirits, that is, distilled liquors; an...
Passion (82 Occurrences)
... See Passion week, below. 7. (vt) To give apassionate character to. 8. (vi) To suffer
pain or sorrow; to experience a passion; to be extremely agitated. Int....
Songs (100 Occurrences)
... how the fervid, sensuous imagery of Canticles would appeal to the mind of a man
like Origen as a proper vehicle for the expression of hispassionate love for...
Kind (290 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness and allpassionate feeling, all anger and loud
insulting language, be unknown among you--and also every kind of malice....
Song (207 Occurrences)
... how the fervid, sensuous imagery of Canticles would appeal to the mind of a man
like Origen as a proper vehicle for the expression of hispassionate love for...
Quick (49 Occurrences)
... 3. (superl.) Speedy; hasty; swift; not slow; as, be quick. 4. (superl.) Impatient;
passionate; hasty; eager; eager; sharp; unceremonious; as, a quick temper....
Vengeance (63 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Punishment inflicted in return for an injury or an offense; retribution; --
often, in a bad sense,passionate or unrestrained revenge....
Resources
What does the Bible say about overcoming lust? | GotQuestions.orgHow far is too far? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is fervent prayer (James 5:16)? | GotQuestions.orgPassionate: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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