Renewed Mind vs. Physical Fasting in Biblical Context
Biblical Fasting: Between Physical Deprivation and Spiritual Renewal
The concept of fasting in the biblical context encompasses both physical abstinence from food and drink and a deeper spiritual renewal of the mind. The practice of fasting is rooted in the Old Testament, where it was observed as a means of expressing national humiliation, supplicating divine favor, and commemorating significant events [1].
In the Mosaic law, only one fast was appointed, that on the Day of Atonement, highlighting the importance of spiritual reflection and atonement [1, 5]. The Jews, during their captivity, observed four annual fasts, which were later referenced in Zechariah 7:1-7 and 8:19. These fasts were associated with the capture of Jerusalem, the destruction of the Temple, and other significant events.
Jesus addresses fasting in the Sermon on the Mount, cautioning against hypocrisy and emphasizing the importance of a genuine, inward disposition. He instructs his followers to "anoint your head, and wash your face" when fasting, so as not to be seen by others as fasting, but rather by God [3, 2]. This teaching underscores the distinction between outward physical fasting and the inner spiritual reality.
The biblical concept of fasting is not limited to physical abstinence. According to Isaiah 58:3, true fasting involves self-deprivation to focus on God and pleasing Him, rather than merely abstaining from food [6]. This understanding is echoed in the writings of Abraham Ibn Ezra, who interprets "afflicting the soul" on the Day of Atonement as referring to fasting, highlighting the connection between physical fasting and spiritual self-denial [7].
The New Testament writers also emphasize the importance of a renewed mind. In Romans 12:2, Paul exhorts believers to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind," indicating a spiritual transformation that goes beyond physical practices like fasting. This theme is further developed in 1 Peter 4, where believers are encouraged to "arm yourselves with the same way of thinking" as Christ, who suffered in the flesh [10].
The relationship between physical fasting and spiritual renewal is complex. While physical fasting can be a means of expressing devotion and humility, it is not an end in itself. As John Gill notes, true fasting involves an "abstinence from sin, in acknowledgment and confession of it; and in the exercise of faith and hope in God" [8]. Matthew Henry similarly emphasizes that fasting is a means to dispose us for other duties, such as prayer, and that it should be done with a genuine, inward disposition [9].
The early Christian practice of fasting, as reflected in the New Testament, was often associated with prayer, confession of sin, and preparation for significant events or decisions [4]. The Didache, an early Christian text, instructs believers to fast before baptism, highlighting the connection between fasting and spiritual preparation.
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Fasts — + One fast only was appointed by the Mosaic law, that on the day of atonement. There is no mention of any other periodical fast in the Old Testament except in (Zechariah 7:1-7; 8:19) From these passages it appears that the Jews, during their captivity, observed four annual fasts,--in the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months. + Public fasts were occasionally proclaimed to express national humiliation and to supplicate divine favor. In the case of public danger the proclamation appears to have been accompanied with the blowing of trumpets. (Joel 2:1-15) (See ”
- Matthew “so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. -- Matthew 6:18”
- Matthew “But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face; -- Matthew 6:17”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fasting — Spirit of, explained -- Isa 58:6,7. Not to be made a subject of display -- Mt 6:16-18. Should be to God -- Zec 7:5; Mt 6:18. For the chastening of the soul -- Ps 69:10. For the humbling of the soul -- Ps 35:13. Observed on occasions of Judgments of God. -- Joe 1:14; 2:12. Public calamities. -- 2Sa 1:12. Afflictions of the Church. -- Lu 5:33-35. Afflictions of others. -- Ps 35:13; Da 6:18. Private afflictions. -- 2Sa 12:16. Approaching danger. -- Es 4:16. Ordination of ministers. -- Ac 13:3; 14:23. Accompanied by Prayer. -- Ezr 8:23; Da 9:3. Confession of si”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Fast — The sole fast required by the law of Moses was that of the great Day of Atonement (q.v.), Lev. 23:26-32. It is called "the fast" (Acts 27:9). The only other mention of a periodical fast in the Old Testament is in Zech. 7:1-7; 8:19, from which it appears that during their captivity the Jews observed four annual fasts. (1.) The fast of the fourth month, kept on the seventeenth day of Tammuz, the anniversary of the capture of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans; to commemorate also the incident recorded Ex. 32:19. (Comp. Jer. 52:6, 7.) (2.) The fast of the fifth month, ke”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 58:3: 58:3 Fasting should be a time of self-deprivation in order to focus on God and pleasing him (Lev 16:29; see Zech 7:5). However, these people were only interested in pleasing themselves and continuing in their sins.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Leviticus 16:29: IN THE SEVENTH MONTH, ON THE TENTH DAY OF THE MONTH, YE SHALL AFFLICT YOUR SOULS. Since Scripture writes, And let your soul delight itself in fatness (Is. 55:2), we know that affliction is the reverse of delight and that affliction of the soul refers to fasting. 105 When a person eats, the soul is said to “delight itself.” Thus when Scripture speaks of the soul being afflicted it means the reverse; i.e., the reference is to a fast. Furthermore, Scripture states, And satisfy the afflicted soul (Is. 58:10), the meaning of which is like And if thou draw out th”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 6:17: But thou, when thou fastest,.... Christ allows of fasting, but what is of a quite different kind from that of the Jews; which lay not in an outward abstinence from food, and other conveniences of life, and refreshments of nature; but in an abstinence from sin, in acknowledgment and confession of it; and in the exercise of faith and hope in God, as a God pardoning iniquity, transgression and sin; wherefore cheerfulness, and a free use of the creatures, without an abuse of them, best became such persons. Anoint thine head, and wash thy face; directly contrary to the ”
- Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 6:16: We are here cautioned against hypocrisy in fasting, as before in almsgiving, and in prayer. I. It is here supposed that religious fasting is a duty required of the disciples of Christ, when God, in his providence, calls to it, and when the case of their own souls upon any account requires it; when the bridegroom is taken away, then shall they fast, Mat 9:15. Fasting is here put last, because it is not so much a duty for its own sake, as a means to dispose us for other duties. Prayer comes in between almsgiving and fasting, as being the life and soul of both. Chri”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 4 (introduction): LIKE THE RISEN CHRIST, BELIEVERS HENCEFORTH OUGHT TO HAVE NO MORE TO DO WITH SIN. (1Pe. 4:1-19) for us--supported by some oldest manuscripts and versions, omitted by others. in the flesh--in His mortal body of humiliation. arm-- (Eph 6:11, Eph 6:13). the same mind--of suffering with patient willingness what God wills you to suffer. he that hath suffered--for instance, Christ first, and in His person the believer: a general proposition. hath ceased--literally, "has been made to cease," has obtained by the very fact of His having ”