Biblical Definition and Theology of Gluttony
Biblical Definition of Gluttony
Gluttony is characterized by excessive and inordinate desire for food and drink, often to the point of indulgence and waste. The Hebrew word "zolel" is used in the Old Testament to describe a glutton, implying one who squanders or wastes resources through indulgence [2]. In the New Testament, the Greek word "phagos" is used to describe a gluttonous person, meaning "given to eating" [2].
The biblical definition of gluttony is closely tied to the concept of excess and immoderation. According to the Baptist/Reformed tradition, gluttony is considered a sin because it involves an abuse of God's creatures and can lead to physical and spiritual harm [4]. one tradition writes that those who are "gluttonous" and "drunkards" will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:10).
Biblical Examples and Warnings
The Bible provides several examples of gluttony and its consequences. The Israelites in the wilderness are described as being gluttonous, desiring meat to eat, and being punished by God for their excess (Numbers 11:4, 33-34) [1]. The sons of Eli are also described as being gluttonous, taking more than their fair share of the sacrifices offered to God (1 Samuel 2:12-17) [1]. Esau is another example of gluttony, selling his birthright for a meal (Genesis 25:30-34) [1].
The Bible also warns against the dangers of gluttony. Proverbs 23:2-3 cautions against excessive eating and drinking, while Luke 21:34 warns against being weighed down by "carousing and drunkenness" [1]. The Apostle Paul exhorts believers not to indulge in "carousing and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness" (Romans 13:13).
Theological Understanding of Gluttony
The Catholic (Scholastic) tradition, as represented by Thomas Aquinas, understands gluttony as a sin that involves an inordinate desire for food and drink, contrary to the order of reason [3]. According to Aquinas, gluttony is a vice that can lead to other sins and is contrary to the virtue of temperance.
The Eastern Orthodox tradition, as represented by John Chrysostom, views gluttony as a form of idolatry, where the belly is made into a god [5]. Chrysostom argues that the Apostle Paul's statement that "the belly is for food, and food is for the belly" (1 Corinthians 6:13) is not a justification for gluttony, but rather a statement about the natural order of things. He emphasizes that excess and immoderation are contrary to the will of God.
Consequences and Penalties
The Bible and Christian tradition emphasize the consequences and penalties of gluttony. According to John Gill, gluttony can lead to physical harm, spiritual decay, and ultimately, destruction [4]. The penalties of gluttony are also highlighted in the biblical accounts of the Israelites and the sons of Eli [1].
In the view of the Anglican tradition, as expressed in the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, gluttony and drunkenness are considered vices that are contrary to the Christian life [7]. The Patristic tradition, as represented by Augustine, also condemns gluttony, viewing it as a form of lust that can lead to spiritual decay [8].
The consequences of gluttony are not limited to the individual, but can also affect others. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, the gluttony of princes can be ruinous to their people (Ecclesiastes 10:16-17) [1].
Conclusion
Gluttony is a biblical concept that involves excessive and inordinate desire for food and drink. The biblical definition of gluttony is closely tied to the concept of excess and immoderation, and is considered a sin in Christian tradition. The consequences and penalties of gluttony are emphasized in the Bible and Christian tradition, highlighting the importance of temperance and moderation in the Christian life. As John Chrysostom notes, the Christian is called to abstain from excess and to live a life of moderation and self-control [6].
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.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Glutton — (Deut. 21:20), Heb. zolel, from a word meaning "to shake out," "to squander;" and hence one who is prodigal, who wastes his means by indulgence. In Prov. 23:21, the word means debauchees or wasters of their own body. In Prov. 28:7, the word (pl.) is rendered Authorized Version "riotous men;" Revised Version, "gluttonous." Matt. 11:19, Luke 7:34, Greek phagos, given to eating, gluttonous.”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of Gluttony, Art. 1: Article: Whether gluttony is a sin? I answer that, Gluttony denotes, not any desire of eating and drinking, but an inordinate desire. Now desire is said to be inordinate through leaving the order of reason, wherein the good of moral virtue consists: and a thing is said to be a sin through being contrary to virtue. Wherefore it is evident that gluttony is a sin. On the contrary: On the contrary, Gregory says (Moral. xxx, 18) that "unless we first tame the enemy dwelling within us, namely our glutt”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 78:28: So they did eat, and were well filled,..... Or "exceedingly filled" (m), or too much, as some versions render it; they eat to excess, not merely to satisfy nature, but to gratify their sensual appetite: gluttony is a sin; it is an abuse of the creatures; it hurts the body by filling it with gross humours, and bringing diseases on it; it is injurious to the mind; the heart may be overcharged by it; it disposes it to sin; it leads to impiety, to atheism, and disbelief of a future state, which often go along with it, and ends in destruction, which is the case of those w”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: of other things. Ver. 13 . “Meats for the belly.” By “the belly” here he means not the stomach, but the stomach’s voraciousness. As when he says, ( Philip. iii. 19 .) “Whose God is their belly:” not speaking about that part of the body, but about greediness. To prove that so it is, hear what follows: “And the belly for meats; but the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord.” And yet “the belly” also is of “the body.” But he puts down two pairs of things, “meats” and gluttony, (which he terms “the belly;”) “Christ,” and “the body.” What then”
- 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.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — OF THE AGREEMENT OF THE EVANGELISTS MATTHEW AND LUKE IN THE GENERATIONS OF THE LORD. (part 23): fall into them through lust. But how many are there who rush greedily to their eating and drinking, and make their whole life to consist in them, as if they were the very reason for living. For whereas men really eat to live, they think that they live to eat. These will every wise man condemn, and holy Scripture especially, all gluttons, drunkards, gormandizers, "whose god is their belly."(2) Nothing but the lust of the flesh, and not the need of re”