The Bible approaches physical well-being not as a secular matter of diet or fitness, but as an integral part of one’s spiritual life. It does not contain a modern, prescriptive nutrition guide. Instead, scripture provides a foundational framework for how individuals should relate to their physical bodies and the food they consume. This framework is theological, establishing the care of the physical self as a spiritual discipline. The biblical perspective establishes that healthy living is ultimately a reflection of a person’s devotion to a higher moral purpose.
The Foundational Principle of Stewardship
The primary theological reason for caring for one’s health is the concept of stewardship. This principle asserts that a person does not own their physical body but is merely a manager of a resource entrusted to them by the Creator. The Apostle Paul stated that the body of a believer is a “temple of the Holy Spirit” and was “bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This framing elevates physical care from a personal preference to a moral accountability.
Stewardship as Worship
Since the body is a dwelling place for the divine presence, its maintenance becomes a form of worship and honoring God (Romans 12:1). This responsibility extends back to the creation mandate in Genesis 1:26, where humanity was created in the image of God. Caring for the physical self reflects an appreciation for God’s creation. Physical health allows an individual to be fit for service and fulfill their spiritual calling.
Historical Dietary Guidelines Clean and Unclean Foods
The Old Testament introduced specific dietary laws, often referred to as kosher laws, found primarily in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. These commands established a distinction between “clean” and “unclean” animals. Clean land animals were defined as those that both chew the cud and have a completely split hoof. Aquatic life was permitted only if the creatures possessed both fins and scales, excluding shellfish and most scavengers (Deuteronomy 14:9-10).
The purpose of these dietary restrictions was not primarily physiological health, but ritual purity and the separation of the Israelite people. These laws served as a daily, tangible reminder that Israel was set apart as a “holy people to the Lord” (Deuteronomy 14:2). By abstaining from certain animals, the people maintained a distinct covenant identity. The core function was theological: to dramatize the difference between the holy and the common.
The Ethical Call for Moderation and Avoiding Excess
Moving beyond the specific type of food consumed, the Bible consistently addresses the manner and quantity of eating and drinking. Wisdom literature explicitly warns against the practice of overindulgence, framing it as a serious moral failing. Proverbs cautions against joining those who “drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat,” noting that the drunkard and the glutton will ultimately face poverty and ruin (Proverbs 23:20-21).
The sin of gluttony is defined less by the food itself and more by a lack of self-control and an inordinate desire for physical pleasure. The Apostle Paul condemned those whose “god is their belly,” describing them as people who prioritize their appetites above spiritual devotion (Philippians 3:19). This perspective views excess as a form of idolatry, where the created thing—food—is exalted above the Creator. A healthy diet, in this context, is one practiced with temperance and discipline, requiring command over one’s own desires.
The New Testament Focus on Conscience and Freedom
A significant doctrinal shift regarding food occurred with the New Covenant, moving the focus away from external laws to internal conviction. Jesus challenged the traditional view of defilement, declaring that what makes a person unclean comes out of the heart, not what goes into them (Mark 7:18-19). This statement effectively rendered the ritualistic Old Testament dietary restrictions obsolete. The Apostle Paul confirmed this theological freedom, proclaiming that “every creation of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving” (1 Timothy 4:4).
This New Testament liberty means that the modern Christian is free to eat any food. However, this freedom is balanced by the stewardship and moderation principles established earlier. Paul explained that while the “strong” believer understands that “all things are indeed clean,” they must not use their freedom in a way that causes a “weak” believer to violate their own conscience (Romans 14:20).
The contemporary application of healthy eating is not about following ancient dietary codes but is a personal decision guided by two moral imperatives. The first is to care for the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit, making beneficial choices that promote health for better service. The second is to temper personal freedom with love, ensuring that one’s diet does not become a source of division or a stumbling block for another person of faith.