What does the Bible say about body image?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that our worth is grounded not in outward appearance but in being created by God, known by Him, and redeemed to belong to Him. Genesis 1:26-27 declares that men and women bear God’s image, while Psalm 139:14 praises His wise and personal workmanship. God looks on the heart rather than merely on what people see outwardly, as 1 Samuel 16:7 teaches. Though caring for the body has value, 1 Timothy 4:8 gives greater weight to godliness. Believers are called to honor God with their bodies as His temple, according to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, and to cultivate the imperishable beauty of a gentle, godly spirit (1 Peter 3:3-4).
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 1 Samuel 16:7
But Yahweh said to Samuel, "Don't look on his face, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him: for [Yahweh sees] not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart."
- Psalms 139:14
I will give thanks to you, For I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well.
- 1 Peter 3:3-4
[3] Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; [4] but in the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God very precious.
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
[19] Or don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own, [20] for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
- Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.
- Genesis 1:26-27
[26] God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." [27] God created man in his own image. In God's image he created him; male and female he created them.
- 1 Timothy 4:8
For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value for all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come.
- Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.
- Romans 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.
- Genesis 1:27
God created man in his own image. In God's image he created him; male and female he created them.
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