Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5760 Human attitudes and behaviour » 5866 gluttony
Scripture condemns an excessive greed for food. Its unrestrained self-indulgence often leads to deeper iniquity and represents a rejection of godly moderation.
Gluttony is a form of idolatry and therefore condemned as offensive to God
Ephesians 5:5; Philippians 3:19 See also Psalm 10:3; Isaiah 22:12-14 Gluttony as escapism, trying to avoid God's requirements; Zechariah 7:4-6 Even their religious feasts were nothing but self-indulgence; Mark 7:21-23; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Corinthians 10:7; Colossians 3:5; James 5:5
Gluttony is closely linked with drunkenness
Exodus 32:6; Judges 9:27; 1 Samuel 25:36
The destructive consequences of gluttony
Proverbs 23:20-21; Proverbs 28:7 See also Proverbs 15:27; Proverbs 28:25; Ecclesiastes 6:7
Warnings against gluttony
Proverbs 23:1-2; Luke 12:15; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5 See also Luke 12:19-20; Luke 21:34; 1 Corinthians 5:9-11; Galatians 5:19-21; Titus 1:12-13; 1 Peter 4:3-4
Examples of gluttony
Genesis 25:29-34 Esau putting food before his birthright; Numbers 11:32 the children of Israel gorging on quail; 1 Samuel 30:16 an Amalekite raiding party; 1 Kings 1:24-25 Adonijah feasting with his supporters; Daniel 5:1 King Belshazzar; Matthew 11:19 pp Luke 7:34 Jesus Christ falsely accused of gluttony; Matthew 23:25 pp Luke 11:39 the Pharisees; Matthew 24:49 pp Luke 12:45 the irresponsible servant; Luke 15:13 the prodigal son; 2 Peter 2:13-14 false teachers
See also
4404 food 4434 drinking 5850 excess 5869 greed 8307 moderation 8821 self-indulgence
