Catabolism is the breakdown of complex compounds into simpler molecules to release energy. While catabolism is a natural and necessary process in the human body, some believe it contradicts biblical teachings.
These people believe that the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and that we should treat it respectfully and avoid behaviors that may harm it.
This article will look at certain Bible scriptures frequently mentioned as contradicting catabolism. We will explain how these verses might be read in light of present scientific knowledge of the body’s metabolic processes.
Bible Verses That Contradict Catabolism
1. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”
2. Romans 12:1-2
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
3. 1 Timothy 4:8
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
4. Proverbs 31:17
“She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.”
5. Ecclesiastes 3:11
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
6. Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
7. Psalm 139:14
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
8. 1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
9. 1 Corinthians 9:27
“No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
10. James 4:17
“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”
The Bible’s Perspective on Health and Nutrition
11. Genesis 1:29
“Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.”
12. Proverbs 15:17
“Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.”
13. 1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
14. Daniel 1:11-16
“Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.”
15. Proverbs 23:20-21
“Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.”
16. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”
17. Proverbs 31:27
“She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”
18. Isaiah 55:2
“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.”
19. Psalm 107:9
“For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”
Bible Verses that Promote Healthy Eating Habits
20. Proverbs 23:2
“Put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.”
21. Proverbs 25:16
“If you find honey, eat just enough—too much of it, and you will vomit.”
22. 1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
23. Romans 14:17
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
24. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”
25. Proverbs 15:17
“Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.”
26. Psalm 104:14-15
“He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate—bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.”
27. Ecclesiastes 3:13
“That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.”
28. Matthew 4:4
“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
29. 1 Timothy 4:8
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
Bible Verses that Warn Against Overindulgence and Gluttony
30. Proverbs 23:20-21
“Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.”
31. Philippians 3:19
“Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.”
32. Proverbs 25:16
“If you find honey, eat just enough—too much of it, and you will vomit.”
33. Luke 12:15
“Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
34. Proverbs 13:25
“The righteous eat to their hearts’ content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.”
35. Proverbs 23:2
“Put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.”
36. Philippians 4:5-6
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
37. Colossians 3:5
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”
38. Ecclesiastes 10:17
“Blessed are you, land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time—for strength and not for drunkenness.”
39. Proverbs 23:21
“For drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.”
40. Luke 21:34
“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.”
Verses that Encourage Exercise and Physical Activity
41. 1 Timothy 4:8
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
42. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”
43. Proverbs 24:5
“The wise prevail through great power, and those who have knowledge muster their strength.”
44. Proverbs 31:17
“She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.”
45. Ecclesiastes 9:10
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.”
46. 1 Corinthians 9:27
“No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
47. Proverbs 20:29
“The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.”
48. Ecclesiastes 11:6
“Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.”
49. Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
50. Psalm 18:32
“It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.”
Verses That Promote Rest and Sleep
51. Psalm 127:2
“In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves.”
52. Ecclesiastes 5:12
“The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep.”
53. Psalm 4:8
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
54. Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
55. Proverbs 3:24
“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”
56. Psalm 121:3-4
“He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”
57. Mark 6:31
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'”
58. Psalm 23:1-2
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.”
59. Isaiah 30:15
“This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.'”
60. Psalm 3:5
“I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.”
61. 1 Corinthians 9:27
“No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
62. Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
63. Proverbs 25:28
“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.”
64. 1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
65. Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
66. Proverbs 16:32
“Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.”
67. James 1:19-20
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
68. 1 Corinthians 10:13
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
69. Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
70. Proverbs 4:23
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Conclusion
Several verses in the Bible can be regarded as contradicting the concept of catabolism, particularly those about the everlasting nature of the soul and the resurrection of the body.
According to these scriptures, the physical body may degrade, but the spirit is immortal and will go on in some manner after death. While the Bible does not directly address catabolism as a scientific topic, it does provide insights into the nature of life and the afterlife that can help us comprehend this biological process.
Finally, the study of science and religion do not have to be mutually exclusive, and both can provide vital insights into the mysteries of life and the cosmos.
