Topical Bible: Fasting: Habitual by Paul

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Fasting, as a spiritual discipline, is a practice that the Apostle Paul engaged in regularly, as evidenced by his writings and the accounts of his life in the New Testament. Paul's approach to fasting was deeply rooted in his commitment to Christ and his mission to spread the Gospel. This entry explores the habitual nature of fasting in Paul's life, its purposes, and its implications for believers.

Biblical Context and Practice

Paul's life and ministry were marked by periods of fasting, which he often undertook in conjunction with prayer and seeking God's guidance. In 2 Corinthians 11:27, Paul provides a glimpse into his frequent hardships, stating, "in labor and toil and often without sleep, in hunger and thirst and often without food, in cold and exposure." Here, "often without food" can be understood as a reference to fasting, whether voluntary or due to circumstances.

Fasting for Paul was not merely an act of self-denial but a means of drawing closer to God, seeking His will, and interceding for others. In Acts 13:2-3, we see the early church in Antioch engaging in fasting and prayer before the Holy Spirit directed them to set apart Barnabas and Saul (Paul) for the work to which they were called. "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off."

Purpose and Significance

For Paul, fasting was a spiritual discipline that served multiple purposes. It was a way to humble oneself before God, as seen in the broader biblical tradition (e.g., Psalm 35:13). Fasting was also a means of spiritual warfare, aligning oneself with God's purposes and seeking His strength in the face of opposition and trials. In 2 Corinthians 6:4-5, Paul lists fasting among the commendable attributes of a servant of God: "Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities; in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger."

Moreover, fasting was a way for Paul to express his dependence on God and to cultivate spiritual discipline. In 1 Corinthians 9:27, Paul speaks of disciplining his body to keep it under control, which can be understood as including practices like fasting: "No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified."

Implications for Believers

Paul's habitual fasting serves as an example for believers, illustrating the importance of spiritual disciplines in the Christian life. Fasting, when practiced with the right heart and motives, can deepen one's relationship with God, enhance spiritual sensitivity, and empower believers for ministry and service. It is a practice that aligns the believer's heart with God's will, fosters humility, and strengthens faith.

While the New Testament does not prescribe specific rules for fasting, Paul's example encourages believers to incorporate fasting into their spiritual lives as a means of seeking God earnestly and aligning with His purposes.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Corinthians 6:5
In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;
Nave's Topical Index

2 Corinthians 11:27
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
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Library

Letter v. Prayer and Fasting.
... And when Paul and Silas were thrown into the dungeon ... him to spend his gained time
in fasting and prayer. ... do I praise thee." And it was the habitual practice of ...
/.../letter v prayer and fasting.htm

A visit from vigilantius
... Paul say that a bishop must be the husband of one wife? ... The right fasting,' said
Chrysostom, is habitual moderation, and abstinence from evil. ...
/.../chapter xl a visit from.htm

The Necessity of Faith for Justification
Grace, Actual and Habitual. ... Paul's Epistle to the Romans, but there are only six
passages in ... all positive divine precepts, eg the law of fasting and abstinence. ...
/.../pohle/grace actual and habitual/section 1 the necessity of 2.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... Thus also Paul and Barnabas themselves, as we read ... your observing solemn times of
fasting and prayer ... For instance: Your habitual abstinence or temperance would ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 27 upon our lords.htm

Questions About the Lord's Supper
... It is very difficult to see what habitual non-communicants will ... Paul rose from the
grave, and was shown an ... and desirable to receive the Lord's Supper fasting? ...
/.../chapter xx questions about the.htm

On Friendship with the World
... Paul contain an important direction to the children of ... prayer, in family duty, in
fasting, in attending ... It gently leads them into habitual self-indulgence, and ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 80 on friendship with.htm

Acts XIII
... to which I have called them." The fasting, prayer, and ... from his feet." This was a
habitual saying of ... can readily perceive, in the change of Paul's manner just ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xiii.htm

Galatians Chapter ii.
... in the Law, have relinquished our habitual mode of ... Paul's object is not therefore
to correct Peter, but ... few are now circumcised, yet, by fasting and observing ...
/.../galatians chapter ii.htm

Of Certain Temptations of Satan. Instructions Relating Thereto.
... Paul: "That all things are possible in God." [2] I saw ... is weak and sickly to undertake
much fasting and sharp ... public sins occasion, if they be habitual in any ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter xiii of certain temptations.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... sort are they who live in some wilful, habitual sin ... Paul, were there no other, is
sufficient to put this out ... forty days of Lent, as days of fasting or abstinence ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 25 upon our lords.htm