What does the Bible say about health and fitness?
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The Bible teaches that caring for our bodies is a grateful act of stewardship, yet true health is found in belonging to Christ and living for God’s glory. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, bought by Christ, so we honor God through wise habits and self-control (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Bodily training has real but limited value, while godliness benefits us for this life and the life to come (1 Timothy 4:8). Scripture commends nourishing food, strength, sobriety, and the fruit of the Spirit, especially self-control (Genesis 1:29; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:18). We offer our whole selves as living sacrifices, trusting Christ for strength rather than making fitness an idol (Romans 12:1; Philippians 4:13).
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 20 votes
[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.
- 1 Timothy 4:8 8 votes
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.
- 3 John 1:2 6 votes
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.
- Genesis 1:29 5 votes
God said, "Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree, which bears fruit yielding seed. It will be your food.
- Philippians 4:13 4 votes
I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
- Ezekiel 4:9 4 votes
Take for yourself also wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentils, and millet, and spelt, and put them in one vessel, and make you bread of it; [according to] the number of the days that you shall lie on your side, even three hundred ninety days, shall you eat of it.
- Romans 12:1 3 votes
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.
- Galatians 5:22-23 3 votes
[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
- Psalms 18:34 3 votes
He teaches my hands to war; So that my arms bend a bow of bronze.
- Ephesians 5:18 2 votes
Don't be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
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