What is the sin of gluttony?

TL;DR:

Gluttony is generally defined as "excessive eating.” According to the Bible, gluttony is a sin. Instead of seeking food for comfort or distraction, we can trust God to satisfy our needs—physical, spiritual, and emotional.

what does the bible say?

In the Bible, gluttony is clearly presented as an ongoing sin and is associated with drunkenness, laziness, and shamefulness. Deuteronomy 21:20 and Proverbs 23:20–21 mention gluttony alongside drunkenness, and in Proverbs 28:7, we are told that “a companion of gluttons shames his father.” The Bible presents gluttony as a habitual practice that replaces God with food. Instead, we are called to honor God with our bodies, practicing self-control as part of a life that reflects His standards (Galatians 5:22–23; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20). Whether we seek food in a gluttonous manner to provide comfort or distract ourselves, God calls us to find our satisfaction in Him.

from the old testament

In Deuteronomy 21:20, gluttony is mentioned alongside drunkenness: "And they shall say to the elders of his city, 'This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.'"
In Proverbs 23:20–21, the wise King Solomon also connects gluttony and drunkenness: "Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags."
In Biblical times, gluttony was culturally considered shameful: "The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father" (Proverbs 28:7).
God promises to satisfy us: “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food” (Isaiah 55:2).

from the new testament

God promises to meet our needs: “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all” (Matthew 6:31–32).
Jesus uses a metaphor, connecting Himself to bread, showing that He will satisfy. Finding our satisfaction in Him, spiritually and emotionally, can help with our physical habits and attitudes toward food: “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst’” (John 6:35).
In Matthew 11:19, Jesus recounts false accusations of gluttony: "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds" (see also Luke 7:34).
Paul quotes: "One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, 'Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons'" (Titus 1:12). Gluttony is clearly a sin.

implications for today

Throughout the Bible, gluttony is presented as an ongoing practice, not a one-time event. Biblically speaking, habitual overeating is an unhealthy practice, a wasteful use of resources, and incompatible with following God's law—which makes it a sin. In contrast to living a gluttonous lifestyle, God calls us to honor Him with our bodies. In reference to sexual sin, Paul writes, "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, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body" (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). God has created us in His image and calls us to respect our bodies for His glory. Any act that does not honor the body He has given us, including regular overeating, is sinful. Although indulging in overeating may be more socially acceptable than other sins, we are called to pursue God's standard, practicing self-control in all areas of our life, including our food choices (Galatians 5:22–23). We must find our satisfaction in Him, not in food.

understand

Gluttony is a sin.
Gluttony is a repeated habit of overeating.
God satisfies us and promises to meet our needs.

reflect

How do you view food in your life? What do your attitudes and actions toward food reveal about your trust in God for your satisfaction?
Where in life do you struggle with practicing self-control, and how can you bring those areas before God for guidance?
How can you remind yourself daily that God is the ultimate source of satisfaction in your life, especially when you face temptations to overeat?

engage

What does the Bible say about the connection between gluttony and other sins, and how can this understanding influence our attitudes toward overeating?
How does God’s promise to satisfy us in Matthew 6:31–32 challenge the way people today seek fulfillment through food or other means?
How might practicing self-control in eating serve as a witness to others about God’s provision and the importance of honoring Him with our bodies?