What does the Bible say about martial arts?

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

• Psalms 144:1

  > Blessed be Yahweh, my rock, Who teaches my hands to war, And my fingers to battle:

• Exodus 15:3

  Yahweh is a man of war. Yahweh is his name.

• Psalms 18:31-35

  [31] For who is God, except Yahweh? Who is a rock, besides our God, [32] The God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect? [33] He makes my feet like deer's feet, And sets me on my high places. [34] He teaches my hands to war; So that my arms bend a bow of bronze. [35] You have also given me the shield of your salvation. Your right hand sustains me. Your gentleness has made me great.

• Proverbs 24:11

  Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!

• 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

  [24] Don't you know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run like that, that you may win. [25] Every man who strives in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. [26] I therefore run like that, as not uncertainly. I fight like that, as not beating the air, [27] but I beat my body and bring it into submission, lest by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.

• Exodus 22:2-3

  [2] If the thief is found breaking in, and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt of bloodshed for him. [3] If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt of bloodshed for him; he shall make restitution. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.

• Genesis 14:14-16

  [14] When Abram heard that his relative was taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued as far as Dan. [15] He divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and struck them, and pursued them to Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. [16] He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative, Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

• Ephesians 6:13-18

  [13] Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. [14] Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; [16] above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. [17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; [18] with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints:

• 2 Samuel 22:35

  He teaches my hands to war, So that my arms do bend a bow of brass.

• 2 Samuel 23:20-21

  [20] Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, he killed the two [sons of] Ariel of Moab: he went down also and killed a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow. [21] He killed an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with his own spear.