If you’re on the run and looking for a quick answer, here’s the scoop: The Bible considers physical health important but not as an isolated aspect of life. It intertwines physical health with spiritual well-being, suggesting that caring for our bodies is a form of stewardship given by God. While the Scriptures contain guidelines for living a healthy life, including dietary laws and principles for rest and cleanliness, the overarching message is about balance. It encourages us to care for our bodies not out of vanity or fear, but as a way to honor God and be equipped for His service. Essentially, the Bible’s view on physical health is holistic, advocating for a lifestyle that supports both physical and spiritual vitality.
Got a minute? Dive deeper with us into what the Bible really says about physical health. It’s more than just avoiding certain foods or following health codes—it’s a holistic approach that could change how you live your life.
What Does the Bible Say About Physical Health?
In the Bible, physical health is not just a matter of personal comfort or achieving a societal ideal of physical beauty; it’s part of a comprehensive approach to well-being that includes spiritual, mental, and emotional aspects. The Scriptures suggest that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), a perspective that elevates the care of our physical selves beyond mere self-maintenance to a spiritual act of worship.
This holistic view does not separate the physical from the spiritual but sees them as interconnected. Good health enables us to serve God more effectively and to fulfill the purposes He has for our lives. It’s about stewardship—managing and caring for what God has given us in a way that honors Him. The Bible contains numerous references to health, healing, and the importance of rest and nutrition, reflecting God’s care for our physical well-being.
In the Old Testament, the Mosaic Law includes dietary regulations and cleanliness practices that, beyond their immediate cultural context, point to the importance of discipline, purity, and the acknowledgement of God’s lordship over every area of life, including what we eat and how we care for our bodies. While Christians are not bound by these Old Covenant laws in the same way the ancient Israelites were, the principles of living a disciplined life, caring for one’s body, and setting apart what is clean and unclean can still be applied in a broader sense.
Jesus’s ministry in the New Testament further underscores the importance of physical health, as He spent much of His time healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind, and making the lame walk. These miracles were signs of the coming kingdom where there will be no more sickness or pain. They also demonstrated His compassion for the physical suffering of people and the importance of health and wholeness.
The New Testament letters offer practical advice on living in a way that promotes health. For example, they encourage moderation in all things (Philippians 4:5), the avoidance of behaviors that lead to harm (1 Corinthians 6:12), and the importance of rest and care for the body as a way to sustain our service to God and others (1 Timothy 5:23).
Bible Verses About Physical Health
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” This verse emphasizes the spiritual significance of physical health and self-care.
- 3 John 1:2 – “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” John’s greeting to Gaius reflects a holistic view of health that includes both physical and spiritual well-being.
- Exodus 15:26 – “He said, ‘If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.'” This passage highlights God’s desire for His people to live in health, linking obedience to God’s commands with physical well-being.
- Proverbs 17:22 – “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Solomon’s proverb points to the connection between mental/emotional health and physical health, emphasizing the healing power of joy and a positive outlook.
- Matthew 8:16-17 – “When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.'” Jesus’s healing ministry illustrates God’s compassion for the physically suffering and points to the broader spiritual healing available through Christ.
- Isaiah 40:29-31 – “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” This prophecy encourages reliance on God as the source of our strength and well-being.
- Proverbs 3:7-8 – “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” Wisdom and reverence for God are presented as keys to physical health and vitality.
- 1 Timothy 4:8 – “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” Paul acknowledges the benefit of physical exercise while emphasizing the superior value of spiritual health.
- Psalm 147:3 – “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” This verse speaks to God’s care for the whole person, including the power to heal both emotional and physical pain.
- Mark 2:17 – “On hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'” Jesus’s words underscore the importance of recognizing our need for healing, both physically and spiritually, and His role as the healer.
The Bible’s teachings on physical health are not meant to be a comprehensive health manual but rather a component of a larger spiritual truth. It underlines the importance of treating our bodies with respect and care as gifts from God, not for selfish reasons, but so we can better serve Him and others. This approach to health is not about achieving perfection or adhering to cultural standards of beauty and fitness but about living a balanced, God-honoring life.
