What does the Bible say about working out?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible commends caring for and disciplining the body as a good stewardship, while teaching that godliness is of far greater and lasting value. First Timothy 4:8 recognizes that bodily training has some value, but calls believers to pursue spiritual growth above all. Because our bodies belong to the Lord and are temples of the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 encourages honorable care rather than selfish indulgence. Paul compares Christian perseverance to an athlete’s disciplined training in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, yet our standing before God rests on Christ, not personal effort. Proverbs also praises diligence and strength while warning against laziness. Exercise can therefore serve thankful, faithful living when it is practiced with humility and self-control.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 1 Timothy 4:8 18 votes
For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now and of that which is to come.
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 16 votes
Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
- Hebrews 12:11 13 votes
All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
- 2 Timothy 3:1-5 10 votes
But know this: that in the last days, grievous times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, not lovers of good, traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding a form of godliness but having denied its power. Turn away from these, also.
- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 9 votes
Don’t you know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run like that, so that you may win. 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. I therefore run like that, not aimlessly. I fight like that, not beating the air, but I beat my body and bring it into submission, lest by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:4 5 votes
that each one of you know how to control his own body in sanctification and honor,
- Proverbs 24:5 4 votes
A wise man has great power. A knowledgeable man increases strength,
- Proverbs 6:9-11 3 votes
How long will you sleep, sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep— so your poverty will come as a robber, and your scarcity as an armed man.
- Proverbs 31:17 3 votes
She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
- 1 Samuel 16:7 3 votes
But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart.”
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