The Purpose of the Body from a Biblical Perspective

 

The Purpose of the Body from a Biblical Perspective

 

Philippians 3:21 "Who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."

Romans 8:11 "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you."

1 Corinthians 6:14 "And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power."

1 Corinthians 6:19 "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,"

 

 

Purpose	Explanation	Example	Application	Relevant Scriptures
Survival	The stomach and food are for maintaining bodily existence	Eating	Moderate eating and drinking, avoiding gluttony	1 Corinthians 6:13 "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy both one and the other." Psalm 103:5 "Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."
Living for the Lord	The body is created for the Lord, not for sexual immorality	Glorifying God with our bodies	Avoiding sexual immorality, maintaining holiness	1 Corinthians 6:13 "The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body." 1 Corinthians 6:20 "For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
Resurrection	God will resurrect our bodies	Jesus' resurrection	Hope for  the future resurrection of  our bodies	1 Corinthians 15:52 "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed."
Becoming members of Christ	Our bodies are members  of Christ	Serving in the church	Using our bodies to serve the Lord  and  others	1 Corinthians 6:15 "Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never!" Romans 12:1 "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Becoming  a temple  of the Holy Spirit	Our bodies  are temples of  the Holy Spirit	Worshipping God	Keeping our bodies holy	1 Corinthians 3:16-17 "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple."
Redemption	Our bodies will be redeemed in the future	Future transformation of our bodies	Hope for complete future redemption	Romans 8:23 "And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies."
Receiving life	The Holy Spirit gives life to our bodies	Healing  and strength for our bodies	Relying on the power of  the Holy Spirit	2 Corinthians 4:10-11 "Always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh."

 

This table and its content provide a comprehensive overview of the purpose of the body from a Biblical perspective, highlighting various aspects such as survival, living for the Lord, resurrection, being members of Christ, being a temple of the Holy Spirit, future redemption, and receiving life through the Spirit. Each purpose is supported by relevant Bible verses, providing a solid scriptural foundation for understanding the significance and purpose of our physical bodies in Christian life.

 

*Please refer to Life-Study of 1 Corinthians, Chapter 38: Dealing with the Abuse of Freedom (Part 1)