Integrity of the Human Body in Scripture
The integrity of the human body in biblical thought encompasses its creation, its role in spiritual life, and its future transformation. The body is presented as a distinct entity, yet intrinsically linked with the spirit and soul [7, 8].
The human body is described with specific parts, such as the head, feet, and various internal organs, each with its own function and significance [3, 4]. For instance, the head is identified as the "uppermost and chief member" [3], while feet are necessary members of the body [4]. The New Testament emphasizes that the body is not merely for earthly desires but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body [6]. This perspective underscores a theological understanding of the body's purpose beyond mere physical existence.
The concept of cleansing and sanctification extends to both the flesh and the spirit. Believers are exhorted to "cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" [2, 5]. This implies that physical actions and spiritual attitudes are interconnected in the pursuit of holiness [11, 12]. Adam Clarke interprets "filthiness of the flesh" to include sins like drunkenness, fornication, and adultery, which are "done immediately against the body," while "filthiness of the spirit" refers to internal impurities [12].
The human nature of Christ provides a significant example of the body's integrity. Jesus partook of flesh and blood, experienced human emotions like weeping, and physical sensations such as hunger, thirst, and weariness, demonstrating a complete human embodiment [1]. His body was subject to the same physical realities as other humans, including birth, growth, and death [1].
Looking to the future, the body is understood to undergo a transformation. The "vile body," described as being defiled by sin and subject to mortality, will be changed [10]. This change does not alter its substance but removes its vileness, weakness, and dishonor, raising it from a low estate [10]. This transformation is part of a broader theological understanding of redemption that includes the physical self. The cleansing of the heart and body is also mentioned in the context of approaching God "with a true heart" and "full assurance" through the blood of Christ [9].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Human Nature of Christ, The — Was necessary to his mediatorial office -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 2:17; Ga 4:4,5; 1Co 15:21; Ro 6:15,19. Is proved by his Conception in the Virgin's womb. -- Mt 1:18; Lu 1:31. Birth. -- Mt 1:16,25; 2:2; Lu 2:7,11. Partaking of flesh and blood. -- Joh 1:14; Heb 2:14. Having a human soul. -- Mt 26:38; Lu 23:46; Ac 2:31. Circumcision. -- Lu 2:21. Increase in wisdom and stature. -- Lu 2:52. Weeping. -- Lu 19:41; Joh 11:35. Hungering. -- Mt 4:2; 21:18. Thirsting. -- Joh 4:7; 19:28. Sleeping. -- Mt 8:24; Mr 4:38. Being subject to weariness. -- Joh 4:6. ”
- 2 Corinthians “Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. -- 2 Corinthians 7:1”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Head — The uppermost and chief member of the body -- Isa 1:6; 2Ki 6:31. All the other members necessary to -- 1Co 12:21. The body supported and supplied by -- Eph 4:16. Put for the whole person -- Ge 49:26; Pr 10:6. Put for the life -- Da 1:10; 1Sa 28:2. Parts of mentioned The skull. -- 2Ki 9:35; Mt 27:33. The crown. -- Ge 49:26; Isa 3:17. The forehead. -- 1Sa 17:49; Eze 9:4. The temples. -- Jdj 4:21,22; Song 4:3. The face. -- Ge 48:12; 2Ki 9:30. The hair. -- Jdj 16:22; Ps 40:12. The scalp. -- Ps 68:21. Often anointed -- Ec 9:8; Mt 6:17. Bowed down In worshipping God”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Feet, The — Necessary members of the body -- 1Co 12:15,21. Parts of, mentioned in scripture Heel. -- Ps 41:9; 49:5; Ho 12:3. Sole. -- De 11:24; 1Ki 5:3. Toes. -- Ex 29:20; 2Sa 21:20; Da 2:41. Often swift -- 2Sa 2:18; 22:34. Were liable to Disease. -- 1Ki 15:23. Swelling from walking. -- De 8:4. Injury from stones, & c. -- Ps 91:12. Early use of shoes -- Ex 12:11. Of women often adorned with tingling ornaments -- Isa 3:16,18. Of the Jews Neglected in affliction. -- 2Sa 19:24; Eze 24:17. Bare in affliction. -- 2Sa 15:30. Washed frequently. -- 2Sa 11:8; Song 5:3. Stampe”
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 7:1 (KJV) — Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
- 1 Corinthians ““Foods for the belly, and the belly for foods,” but God will bring to nothing both it and them. But the body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. -- 1 Corinthians 6:13”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, CHAPTER 8, section 12: seen while it is in the body; for it is there after an invisible manner, and when it is freed from it, it is still not seen. It is this soul which hath one nature, and that an incorruptible one also; but yet it is the cause of the change that is made in the body; for whatsoever it be which the soul touches, that lives and flourishes; and from whatsoever it is removed, that withers away and dies; such a degree is there in it of immortality. Let me produce the state of sleep as a most evident demonstration of the truth of what I say;”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, CHAPTER 8, section 5: his disposal to take that being away from us. The bodies of all men are indeed mortal, and are created out of corruptible matter; but the soul is ever immortal, and is a portion of the divinity that inhabits our bodies. Besides, if any one destroys or abuses a depositum he hath received from a mere man, he is esteemed a wicked and perfidious person; but then if any one cast out of his body this Divine depositum, can we imagine that he who is thereby affronted does not know of it? Moreover, our law justly ordains that slaves which ru”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 10:22: (Heb 4:16; Heb 7:19.) with a true heart--without hypocrisy; "in truth, and with a perfect heart"; a heart thoroughly imbued with "the truth" (Heb 10:26). full assurance-- (Heb 6:11); with no doubt as to our acceptance when coming to God by the blood of Christ. As "faith" occurs here, so "hope," and "love," Heb 10:23-24. sprinkled from--that is, sprinkled so as to be cleansed from. evil conscience--a consciousness of guilt unatoned for, and uncleansed away (Heb 10:2; Heb 9:9). Both the hearts and the bodies are cleansed. The legal purification”
- Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 3:20: Who shall change our vile body,.... Which is defiled with sin, attended with frailty, and is mortal; and being dead, is sown and laid in the grave in corruption, weakness, and dishonour: in the Greek text it is, "the body of our humility"; sin has subjected the body to weakness, mortality, and death; and death brings it into a very low estate indeed, which is very humbling and mortifying to the pride and vanity man: now this vile body, in the resurrection morn, shall be stripped of all its vileness, baseness, and meanness; and be changed, not as to its substance,”
- Leviticus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Leviticus 11:44: Ye shall - sanctify yourselves - Ye shall keep yourselves separate from all the people of the earth, that ye may be holy; for I am holy. And this was the grand design of God in all these prohibitions and commands; for these external sanctifications were only the emblems of the internal purity which the holiness of God requires here, and without which none can dwell with him in glory hereafter. See at the conclusion of this chapter. The contents of this chapter must furnish many profitable reflections to a pious mind. 1. From the great difficulty of ascertaining ”
- 2 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 7:1: Having therefore these promises - The promises mentioned in the three last verses of the preceding chapter, to which this verse should certainly be joined. Let us cleanse ourselves - Let us apply to him for the requisite grace of purification; and avoid every thing in spirit and practice which is opposite to the doctrine of God, and which has a tendency to pollute the soul. Filthiness of the flesh - The apostle undoubtedly means, drunkenness, fornication, adultery, and all such sins as are done immediately against the body; and by filthiness of the spirit, all”