What does the Bible say about the human body?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that the human body is God’s purposeful creation, fallen through sin, yet worthy of dignity and meant to glorify Him. Psalm 139:13-16 celebrates God’s personal care in forming each person, while Genesis 1:27 grounds human worth in God’s image. Because believers belong to Christ, 1 Corinthians 6:19 calls their bodies temples of the Holy Spirit, to be offered to God in obedient worship (Romans 12:1). Scripture also recognizes the body’s mortality and the heart’s corruption through sin (James 2:26; Jeremiah 17:9). Yet Christ will transform His people’s lowly bodies into resurrection glory, as 1 Corinthians 15:35-49 and Philippians 3:21 promise.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Psalms 139:13-16
[13] For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother's womb. [14] I will give thanks to you, For I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well. [15] My frame wasn't hidden from you, When I was made in secret, Woven together in the depths of the earth. [16] Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there were none of them.
- 1 Corinthians 6:19
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,
- 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.
- Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed you in the belly I knew you, and before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.
- Philippians 3:21
who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself.
- Genesis 1:27
God created man in his own image. In God's image he created him; male and female he created them.
- 1 Corinthians 15:35-49
[35] But someone will say, "How are the dead raised?" and, "With what kind of body do they come?" [36] You foolish one, that which you yourself sow is not made alive unless it dies. [37] That which you sow, you don't sow the body that will be, but a bare grain, maybe of wheat, or of some other kind. [38] But God gives it a body even as it pleased him, and to each seed a body of its own. [39] All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds. [40] There are also celestial bodies, and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial differs from that of the terrestrial. [41] There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. [42] So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. [43] It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. [44] It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is also a spiritual body. [45] So also it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living soul." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. [46] However that which is spiritual isn't first, but that which is natural, then that which is spiritual. [47] The first man is of the earth, made of dust. The second man is the Lord from heaven. [48] As is the one made of dust, such are those who are also made of dust; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. [49] As we have borne the image of those made of dust, let's also bear the image of the heavenly.
- James 2:26
For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead.
- Romans 12:1-21
[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. [2] Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. [3] For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith. [4] For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don't have the same function, [5] so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. [6] Having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, if prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; [7] or service, let us give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching; [8] or he who exhorts, to his exhorting: he who gives, let him do it with liberality; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. [9] Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good. [10] In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another; [11] not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; [12] rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer; [13] contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality. [14] Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don't curse. [15] Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep. [16] Be of the same mind one toward another. Don't set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don't be wise in your own conceits. [17] Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. [18] If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. [19] Don't seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God's wrath. For it is written, "Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord." [20] Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head." [21] Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
- Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it?
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