A selection of Bible Verses about Man
1. The Origin of Man:
In John's Gospel we read that nothing was created except by Jesus. "All things were made through him. Without him, nothing was made that has been made". (John 1:3) So it is hardly surprising that Jesus knew exactly man's origin: created by God at the beginning.
But Jesus said to them, ... from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female.
Mark 10:5,6
2. The Purpose of Man:
Jesus was and is the only man who has been able to do what God created man for. Jesus lived a perfect sinless life, He was and is the "ultimate man" - the only perfect representative of the human race. So how did Jesus live and what was the purpose. This verse gives the answer: Man was supposed to do what God wanted, that is, His perfect Will for every individual, and by doing that bring glory and honour to God. Do not think of this as God "bossing people around", rather it is an infinitely wise and loving God preparing a lifetime of good things for people to do and find fulfilment.
I glorified you on the earth. I have accomplished the work which you have given me to do.
John 17:4
3. Man in Relation to God:
Jesus teaching about man in relation to God is surprisingly found in the account of his temptation. Firstly, Jesus reveals that the real sustenance for life is not bread but by listening in obedience to the speech of God. Secondly, that man is to have confidence in God, to trust God without question. Thirdly that man has a purpose and that is to worship God. Only in serving God can man achieve his ultimate purpose.
But he answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds
out of the mouth of God.' "
Matthew 4:4
Jesus said to him, "Again, it is written, 'You shall not test the Lord, your God.' "
Matthew 4:7
Then Jesus said to him, "Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God,
and you shall serve him only.' "
Matthew 4:10
4. Direction of Life:
In this verse, Jesus sees man as having a choice in outlook upon life which results in action. Jesus sees with clarity and distinction only two underlying life motivations that directly affect our actions. The contrast between serving God and serving our own desires.
"The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light.
But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness,
how great is the darkness! "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he
will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can't serve both God and Mammon.
Matthew 6:22-24
5. Man as Physical and Spiritual:
In these verses Jesus teaches clearly that man is not just a physical being but has also a spiritual existence. To Jesus, the end of our physical life (bodily death) is of much less importance than what happens to our spiritual being.
Don't be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to
destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.
Matthew 10:28
For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in
exchange for his life?
Matthew 16:26
I tell you, my friends, don't be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
Luke 12:4
He said to them, "Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man's life doesn't consist of the abundance .
of the things which he possesses."
Luke 12:15
6. Immortality:
God is the God of the living - of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. So Jesus repeats that death is not the end of a person.
But concerning the resurrection of the dead, haven't you read that which was spoken to you by God, saying, 'I am the God of Abraham,
and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?' God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
Matthew 22:31,32
7. Law of Life:
Jesus says that for life on earth man is subject to two laws: to love God and to love our neighbour. From these two laws are derived every law. These two laws are the rule by which all conduct is measured. This is man's responsibility. God is love and therefore his desire is that man should love.
Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the
first and great commandment. A second likewise is this, 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.' The whole law and the
prophets depend on these two commandments."
Matthew 22:37-40
8. Human Condition:
Jesus now speaks of man as being evil but despite being in this condition Jesus recognises a capacity for good.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in
heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:11
9. Human Nature:
In the first of these verses Jesus addresses the heart of man's nature and explains that the source of sin is within man. The subsequent verses explain the remedy for that nature: human submission, God drawing man, and man's rebirth.
That which enters into the mouth doesn't defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles
the man." Don't you understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the belly, and then out of the body?
But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man. For out of the heart
come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies. These are the
things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn't defile the man."
Matthew 15:11,17-20
"Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way
enter into the Kingdom of Heaven."
Matthew 18:3
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day. It is written in
the prophets, 'They will all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who hears from the Father and has learnt, comes to me.
He said, "For this cause I have said to you that no one can come to me, unless it is given to him by my Father."
John 6:44,45,65
Jesus answered him, "Most certainly, I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can't see God's Kingdom." Jesus answered, "Most
certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he can't enter into God's Kingdom."
John 3:3,5