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Why do we say 'God bless you' in response to a sneeze?

Why do we say 'God bless you' in response to a sneeze?
Fall Culture

TL;DR:

Saying “God bless you” after a sneeze likely began as a superstition to protect someone’s health, but it’s perfectly fine for Christians to use it today as a sincere expression of care. The Bible encourages blessing others in God’s name, so saying “God bless you” with meaning honors God rather than trivializes Him.

what does the bible say?

Saying “God bless you” to someone who sneezes is not found in the Bible. However, both the Old and New Testaments provide examples of people blessing others in God’s name. For instance, God told Aaron to bless the Israelites in His name (Numbers 6:24), and David blessed the people “in the name of the Lord of hosts” after celebrating the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:18). In the New Testament, Paul frequently blessed the recipients of his letters (Romans 15:33; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 6:23).

Some believe that the custom of blessing someone who sneezes originated as part of a superstition. The Bible warns against participating in superstitious practices (Deuteronomy 18:9-13; Acts 19:18-19), but as long as saying “God bless you” is not meant superstitiously, it’s fine. Another consideration is that believers must never refer to God frivolously (Exodus 20:7). Christians can say “God bless you” as long as we truly mean it.

from the old testament

  • Declaring "God bless you" is in the Bible, just not as a response to someone sneezing. God told Aaron to use “The Lord bless you and keep you” to bless the Israelites (Numbers 6:24).
  • After bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, David “blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts” (2 Samuel 6:18).
  • When we reference God, we should never do so frivolously (Exodus 20:7).

from the new testament

  • In many of the apostle Paul’s letters, he blesses his recipients in God’s name (Romans 15:33; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 6:23).
  • The apostle Paul wrote to believers in Colossae, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). It’s fine to bless someone who sneezes, but we should never refer to God in a trivial way. When we say “God bless you,” we should mean it.

implications for today

Sneezes are annoying interruptions that force your eyes closed, usually come in multiples, and tend to go away the moment you grab a Kleenex. But they’re unique in another way, too: They prompt a blessing, even in our secular society.

Blessing someone who sneezes probably started as a first century superstition about sneezing being the body's attempt to get rid of evil spirits. Some believed that the heart stopped when a person sneezed, making him vulnerable to evil spirits. The phrase “God bless you” became a sort of protection or verbal talisman to protect the sneezer.

During the Italian plague in AD 590, people thought sneezing signaled that a person was infected. Legend has it that Pope Gregory I declared that people should respond to a sneeze by saying "God bless you" and then make the sign of the cross over their mouth.

There is nothing wrong or unbiblical with invoking God's blessing on someone who sneezes (and on those who don't!). Believers should show care and concern for others, and saying “God bless you” can be part of that.

understand

  • Saying “God bless you” after a sneeze likely began as a superstition for protection.
  • The Bible encourages blessing others in God’s name, but we should do so sincerely and not frivolously.
  • Saying “God bless you” is perfectly acceptable for Christians as a meaningful expression of care.

reflect

  • What are your reasons for saying or not saying “God bless you” when someone sneezes?
  • When you bless someone in God’s name, how mindful are you of honoring God rather than speaking frivolously?
  • How can you use everyday opportunities, like responding to a sneeze, to show love and concern for others?

engage

  • How do we balance cultural habits, like saying “God bless you,” with biblical principles for honoring God in our speech?
  • How can we ensure that our “God bless yous” toward others are sincere and not just automatic responses?
  • How might small acts of blessing, even in ordinary situations, impact the way people experience God’s love through us?

More Resources

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