Complete Bible Study Guide

What Does the Bible Say About Martial Arts?

14 Scripture references with full text and commentary

Understanding Martial Arts in the Bible

Explore what the Bible says about martial arts. This collection of 17 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme.

14
Total Verses
9
Old Testament
5
New Testament

Top 10 Verses About Martial Arts

  1. 1
    Genesis 14:14
    And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen , and pursued them unto Dan. armed: or, led forth trained: or, instructed
    KJV
  2. 2
    Exodus 2:11
    And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.
    KJV
  3. 3
    Exodus 15:3
    The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.
    KJV
  4. 4
    Exodus 21:22
    If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.
    KJV
  5. 5
    Exodus 22:2
    If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.
    KJV
  6. 6
    Psalms 18:31
    For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
    KJV
  7. 7
    Psalms 144:1
    A Psalm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: strength: Heb. rock to war: Heb. to the war, etc
    KJV
  8. 8
    Proverbs 24:11
    If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
    KJV
  9. 9
    Hosea 12:4
    Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;
    KJV
  10. 10
    Matthew 10:16
    Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. harmless: or, simple
    KJV

Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Martial Arts? (9 Verses)

And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen , and pursued them unto Dan. armed: or, led forth trained: or, instructed
And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.
The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.
If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.
If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.
For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
A Psalm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: strength: Heb. rock to war: Heb. to the war, etc
If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;

New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Martial Arts? (5 Verses)

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. harmless: or, simple
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. Prince: or, Author
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. having: or, having overcome all
Unto the pure all things are pure : but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

How to Study What the Bible Says About Martial Arts

  1. 1

    Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.

  2. 2

    Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about martial arts. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.

  3. 3

    Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.

  4. 4

    Memorise at least one key verse about martial arts and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.

Practical Application

Studying what the Bible says about martial arts is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:

  • Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on martial arts needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.

  • Share what you have learned about martial arts with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.

  • Pray through the key verses about martial arts, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.

How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Martial Arts?

You have studied 14 verses about martial arts. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about martial arts?
Explore what the Bible says about martial arts. This collection of 17 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme. The Bible contains 14 key verses about martial arts spanning both Old and New Testaments.
How many Bible verses about martial arts are there?
There are 14 key Bible verses about martial arts compiled in this study guide, drawn from books across both the Old and New Testaments.
What is the best verse about martial arts?
One of the most well-known and frequently cited verses about martial arts is Genesis 14:14 — "And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen , and pursue..."
Where in the Bible does it talk about martial arts?
Martial Arts is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 14 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.

Continue Studying Martial Arts