What is Gluttony?

Gluttony is traditionally understood as the overindulgence in food or drink beyond what is reasonable or necessary. In Roman Catholic theology, it is listed among the seven deadly sins: those vices believed to give rise to other sins and immoral behavior. While eating and drinking for pleasure is not condemned in Scripture or theology, doing so to excess, especially when it leads to drunkenness, waste, or lack of self-control, is considered sinful.

St. Thomas Aquinas described gluttony in Summa Theologiae as manifesting in five specific ways: hastily (eating too quickly or at the wrong time), sumptuously (prioritizing rich or expensive food), excessively (consuming more than necessary), greedily (refusing to share or eating too eagerly), and daintily (becoming obsessed with food that is overly refined or elaborately prepared). These behaviors reveal a heart that elevates bodily appetite above moderation and spiritual discipline.

The Bible gives several clear warnings against gluttony, particularly in the Old Testament. Proverbs 23:20–21 (NKJV) warns, “Do not mix with winebibbers, or with gluttonous eaters of meat; for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.” This passage links gluttony not only with wastefulness but with eventual ruin, showing that it leads to physical and spiritual consequences.

Gluttony is not only about how much we eat, but why and how. The sin lies in the disordered love of pleasure and comfort, which can numb us to the needs of others and to our responsibility before God. 

This is echoed in Ezekiel 16:49 (NKJV), where gluttony and excess are listed among the sins of Sodom: “Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.” Gluttony here is connected to selfishness and a lack of charity, signs of a heart turned inward.

Is Gluttony a Sin?

Yes, gluttony is clearly defined in Scripture and tradition as a sin. It is not merely a matter of overeating but a failure of temperance and self-control, which are fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23, NKJV). The spiritual danger of gluttony lies in its ability to become a form of idolatry, where the stomach, or the craving for constant satisfaction, takes the place of God.

The Apostle Paul speaks strongly against such disordered desires in Philippians 3:18–19 (NKJV): “For many walk, of whom I have told you often…that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.” Gluttony, in this view, reflects a deeper spiritual rebellion, a focus on the flesh at the expense of the spirit.

In Galatians 5:19–21 (NKJV), Paul includes “drunkenness” and “revelries” among the works of the flesh and warns that “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Drunkenness is a direct expression of gluttony in its most destructive form, showing how this sin distances believers from a holy life.

Christian tradition teaches that gluttony can be resisted through the virtue of temperance, a conscious effort to practice moderation, gratitude, and restraint. The history of the seven deadly sins shows that Pope Gregory I listed gluttony among them in the 6th century, and centuries later, Pope Francis connected it to modern issues such as food waste, obesity, and materialism. He pointed to virtues like self-control and solidarity as necessary responses, not just for personal holiness, but for addressing global injustices.

Is Gluttony Only About Food?

While gluttony is most often associated with overeating or overdrinking, the heart of the sin is not limited to food. Biblically and theologically, gluttony is about excessive indulgence in physical pleasures, especially when it reveals a lack of self-control and a disordered desire for comfort or gratification. The root issue is not the object (like food) but the way the desire controls the person.

In Philippians 3:19 (NKJV), Paul writes about those who live as “enemies of the cross of Christ,” saying: “whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their mind on earthly things.” Here, “belly” represents bodily appetites in general, not just hunger. The verse warns against allowing any physical craving to become a “god,” a source of identity, comfort, or purpose.

Likewise, in Galatians 5:19–21 (NKJV), Paul lists “drunkenness, revelries, and the like” among the works of the flesh. These excesses go beyond food and include any overindulgence that pulls us away from a Spirit-led life.

Although the term gluttony traditionally applies to food and drink, its spiritual essence, an unchecked craving for pleasure or excess, can extend to other areas such as entertainment, spending, comfort, or even attention. When any physical desire becomes dominant, it reflects the same heart condition that gluttony reveals: self-indulgence at the expense of self-discipline, gratitude, and obedience to God.

Ultimately, the Bible calls believers to “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1, NKJV). That includes submitting every appetite, not just for food, to God's will. Gluttony, then, is a warning not just about what we eat, but how we live.

List of the Seven Deadly Sins

To better understand gluttony and its importance in the Bible, let’s see how it fits within the other seven deadly sins that are detailed in the Bible. While the exact phrase "seven deadly sins" is not found in Scripture, each one reflects attitudes and behaviors condemned in the Bible.

• Pride – An inflated sense of self and refusal to acknowledge dependence on God (Proverbs 16:18; James 4:6)
• Envy – Resentment toward others for their blessings or success (Proverbs 14:30; James 3:16)
• Wrath – Uncontrolled anger and a desire for vengeance (Proverbs 29:11; Ephesians 4:31)
• Sloth – Laziness or spiritual apathy that leads to neglect of duty and faith (Proverbs 13:4; Romans 12:11)
• Greed – An excessive desire for material possessions or wealth (Ecclesiastes 5:10; Luke 12:15)
• Lust – An intense or uncontrolled craving for sexual pleasure (Matthew 5:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5)
• Gluttony – Overindulgence in food, drink, or physical pleasure that leads to a loss of self-control (Proverbs 23:20–21; Philippians 3:19)

Each of these sins can damage our relationship with God and with others, but they can also be overcome through spiritual virtues such as humility, contentment, patience, diligence, generosity, purity, and temperance.

What is the Difference Between Gluttony and Greed?

Greed and gluttony are closely related but distinct sins:

• Greed (avarice) focuses on acquiring and hoarding, placing ultimate value on possessions or wealth and seeking to have more than enough. It's about keeping, even when accumulation surpasses need or usefulness.
• Gluttony, in contrast, is centered on consumption, an inordinate desire to use up resources, often food and drink, but also pleasure or comfort. It’s the impulse to devour excessively, neglecting moderation and community concern.

Bible Verses About Gluttony

There are many instances in the Bible where gluttony can be recognized. I’ve already mentioned the most important verses, but here are a few more and what they convey:

• Deuteronomy 21:20 (NKJV) – “And they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’”
• Conveys that gluttony is a sign of rebellion and disobedience, especially when paired with a lack of respect for authority.
• Proverbs 28:7 (NKJV) – “Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.”
• Shows that keeping company with gluttons brings shame and reflects poor moral character.
• Isaiah 5:11–12 (NKJV) – “Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may follow intoxicating drink; who continue until night, till wine inflames them! The harp and the strings, the tambourine and flute, and wine are in their feasts; but they do not regard the work of the Lord, nor consider the operation of His hands.”
• Warns against a lifestyle of indulgence and pleasure-seeking that leads to spiritual neglect and hardness of heart.
• Titus 1:12 (NKJV) – “One of them, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’”
• Links gluttony with laziness and moral decay, painting it as part of a broader pattern of sinful living.
• Luke 7:34 (NKJV) – “The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’”
• Demonstrates that gluttony was recognized as a sin in Jesus’ time, and that even false accusations of it carried moral weight.
• Romans 13:13–14 (NKJV) – “Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”
• Calls believers to reject indulgent, flesh-driven living and pursue holiness through self-discipline in Christ.

Learn More About Gluttony with the Bible Chat App

If you're wrestling with gluttony or want to better understand what the Bible says about self-control, the Bible Chat App is a helpful place to start. Whether you're seeking answers, encouragement, or verses to pray through, this app offers biblically grounded guidance anytime you need it.

Bible Chat will help you explore the deeper spiritual meaning behind habits like overeating, emotional indulgence, and lack of discipline. You can ask questions, reflect on Scripture, and even dive into related topics like fasting, temptation, and the fruit of the Spirit.

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Conclusion

Gluttony is a sin, not just because it involves excess, but because it reflects a deeper misalignment of the heart. Scripture calls us to honor God with our bodies and resist letting our desires control us.

To recap: gluttony is more than overeating; it’s a spiritual issue of self-control. The Bible urges us to seek balance through discipline, gratitude, and dependence on the Holy Spirit. God’s Word doesn’t just convict, it leads us to freedom.

References

• The Holy Bible, New King James Version. (1987). Thomas Nelson.
• gluttony, https://www.britannica.com/topic/gluttony, accessed on 13.06.2025;
• Is gluttony a sin?, https://www.gotquestions.org/gluttony-sin.html, accessed on 13.06.2025.

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