Biblical Verses Addressing Gluttony and Self-Control
Biblical Verses Addressing Gluttony and Self-Control
The Bible addresses gluttony and self-control through various passages that caution against excessive behavior and promote moderation. Gluttony is often associated with negative consequences, both spiritual and physical. For instance, Proverbs 23:21 warns that gluttony leads to poverty, while Philippians 3:19 notes that those who are "destined to destruction, whose god is their belly" are characterized by gluttony [1].
In the Old Testament, gluttony is depicted as a sin that can lead to severe punishment. Numbers 11:33-34 records how the Israelites' gluttony provoked God's anger, resulting in a great plague. Similarly, Deuteronomy 21:20-21 describes a rebellious son who is gluttonous and a drunkard, and who is to be stoned to death by the community [1].
The New Testament also emphasizes the importance of self-control. In 1 Thessalonians 4:4, believers are exhorted to "control their own body in a way that is holy and honorable" [2]. The apostle Paul contrasts gluttony with self-control, highlighting the importance of living a disciplined life. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul uses the metaphor of athletic competition to illustrate the need for self-control in the Christian life.
The early Church Fathers also wrote extensively on the topic of gluttony and self-control. John Chrysostom, an Eastern Orthodox Father, notes that gluttony is a sin that can lead to other vices, such as fornication. In his Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians, he comments on 1 Corinthians 6:13, stating that "the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord" [3].
Thomas Aquinas, a Catholic Scholastic theologian, identifies six "daughters" of gluttony, which are the vices that arise from excessive eating and drinking. These include unseemly joy, scurrility, uncleanness, loquacity, and dullness of mind [5].
The biblical concept of self-control is closely tied to the idea of living a virtuous life. In 2 Peter 1:6, believers are encouraged to add "self-control to their faith," demonstrating that self-control is an essential aspect of Christian character [6]. The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, an Anglican document, also condemn gluttony and drunkenness as sinful behaviors [4].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gluttony — Christ was falsely accused of -- Mt 11:19. The wicked addicted to -- Php 3:19; Jude 1:12. Leads to Carnal security. -- Isa 22:13; 1Co 15:32; Lu 12:19. Poverty. -- Pr 23:21. Of princes, ruinous to their people -- Ec 10:16,17. Is inconsistent in saints -- 1Pe 4:3. Caution against -- Pr 23:2,3; Lu 21:34; Ro 13:13,14. Pray against temptations to -- Ps 141:4. Punishment of -- Nu 11:33,34; Ps 78:31; De 21:21; Am 6:4,7. Danger of, illustrated -- Lu 12:45,46. Exemplified Esau. -- Ge 25:30-34; Heb 12:16,17. Israel. -- Nu 11:4; Ps 78:18. Sons of Eli. -- 1Sa 2:12-17.”
- 1 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Thessalonians 4:4: 4:4 will control his own body: Self-control brings honor from others (Rom 12:10) and from God (Rom 2:7; 1 Pet 5:4, 6).”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: come, and that there is no eating or drinking there. Now if that which is moderate shall have an end, much more ought we to abstain from excess. Then lest any one should suppose that the body is the object of his censure, and suspect that from a part he is blaming the whole, and say that the nature of the body was the cause of gluttony or of fornication, hear what follows. “I blame not,” he says, “the nature of the body, but the immoderate license of the mind.” And therefore he subjoins, “Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord;” fo”
- Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican, 1571), 5.Against Gluttony and Drunkenness.: 5.Against Gluttony and Drunkenness.”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of Gluttony, Art. 6: Article: Whether six daughters are fittingly assigned to gluttony? I answer that, As stated above (Articles [1],2,3), gluttony consists properly in an immoderate pleasure in eating and drinking. Wherefore those vices are reckoned among the daughters of gluttony, which are the results of eating and drinking immoderately. These may be accounted for either on the part of the soul or on the part of the body. on the part of the soul these results are of four kinds. First, as regards the reason, whose ”
- 2 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Peter 1:6: Greek, "And in your knowledge self-control." In the exercise of Christian knowledge or discernment of God's will, let there be the practical fruit of self-control as to one's lusts and passions. Incontinence weakens the mind; continence, or self-control, moves weakness and imparts strength And in your self-control patient endurance" amidst sufferings, so much dwelt on in the First Epistle, second, third, and fourth chapters. "And in your patient endurance godliness"; it is not to be mere stoical endurance, but united to [and flowing from] God-trusting ”