The concept of Body in Christianity

The concept of the body in Christianity encompasses its significance in relation to personal identity, resurrection, and judgment. It emphasizes that physical existence matters, as individuals will carry their personal selves into judgment, regardless of bodily condition. The resurrection of the body and its role as a living sacrifice to God highlight the importance of nurturing the physical form. Furthermore, the body of Christ serves as a central symbol, representing both his sacrifice and the hope of eternal life, affirming its spiritual and temporal duality.1
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Synonyms: Physique, Form, Figure, Frame, Anatomy, Structure, Build, Shape, System

In Malay: Badan; In Finnish: Runko; In Dutch: Lichaam; In Spanish: Cuerpo; In German: Körper; In Swedish: Kropp; In French: Corps

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Christian concept of 'Body'

Christianity Books

Significance in Early Christian church and writers:
Early Christianity Books

From: Ante-nicene Fathers

(1) This refers to the physical form of a person, and proper care of the body is a result of the understanding within a person, whereas neglecting the body prevents care of the understanding.[1] (2) This is what the other death relates to, which is in like manner temporary and has a fixed end, because it affects the body, and is not everlasting.[2] (3) This is what we are absent from, and prefer to be present with the Lord, according to the text.[3] (4) This is the physical form of humans, and it is the source of ignorance, which is from the earth.[4] (5) Mercurius Aegyptius said that the soul retained permanently its distinct individuality, in order that it might render an account to the Father of those things which it has done in the body.[5]

From: Gospel of Thomas Commentary

(1) The body is equivalent to a corpse, and whoever has discovered it, the world is not worthy of that person, according to the text.[6] (2) This refers to the physical self, contrasting with the soul and emphasizing the distinction between the mortal and immortal aspects of a person, as the text indicates.[7] (3) This term represents the physical form or the material existence, which is often contrasted with the spirit, and the relationship between the two is a central point of discussion.[8] (4) This refers to the physical form of a person, and suggests that you will receive rest.[9] (5) This is when the spirit becomes more dominant in one's experience than the body, detachment from life begins, as stated in the text provided. This is a concept.[10]

Early Christianity (also known as Early Church) refers to the period starting roughly in the 6th century BC up until 325 A.D. during which year the first council of Nicaea was convened. Popular literature includes the writings by the early Church Fathers which forms the basis of later Christian theology.

Significance in Global Christian community:
Catholic Church Books

From: Summa Theologica (English translation)

(1) The body is contrasted with the soul in the context of Purgatory, exploring the pains suffered by each and their relationship to the overall experience of punishment and cleansing after life.[11] (2) A part of the sacrament, which is received by both the priest and the people, though the people sometimes receive only the body.[12] (3) The body is the physical form of Christ, and the text explains that the formation of this body is attributed to the Holy Ghost.[13] (4) This refers to the physical form of a person, and the text discusses its fate after death and its potential for resurrection.[14] (5) This is the physical aspect through which a wife is united with her husband, which establishes a different kind of connection.[15]

From: The city of God

(1) The body is the physical part of a person that is subjected to the soul, experiences pain and pleasure, and is affected by lust.[16] (2) The physical form of a human being, which is subject to death, and can be forsaken of all life, and cannot live by itself.[17] (3) The text discusses the body in relation to pain, disquietude, and various physical ailments, suggesting that it is subject to miseries.[18] (4) The body, though subject to death, is still a creation of God, with organs and appearance designed to serve a reasonable soul.[19] (5) The body is the physical form that the soul is connected to, it can be a source of defilement, and also the subject of purification.[20]

From: The Writings of St. Francis of Assisi

(1) The physical form, which is subject to vices and sins and is eventually eaten by worms, representing the consequences of a sinful life.[21]

The Catholic Church is a global Christian community with over a billion members, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is led by the Pope and emphasizes the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist. Catholicism is a denomination centered on the teachings thereof. It has a rich theological and cultural heritage.

Significance in Christianity (general):

From: Expositions of Holy Scripture

(1) The text acknowledges the role of the body, emphasizing that the same personal self will be carried forward to judgment, regardless of what happens to the physical form.[22] (2) The body is considered the temple of the Holy Ghost, and Christianity reverences the body, teaching the importance of purity and subjugation of animal passion.[23] (3) The body is mentioned in the text as something that is more than raiment, emphasizing the importance of physical existence and the things that sustain it.[24] (4) The body of the Lord Jesus is what the women sought and did not find in the sepulchre, marking the central mystery of the Resurrection.[25] (5) This term represents the physical form, which is separate from God.[26]

From: Bible cyclopedia, critical and expository

(1) This refers to the physical remains of a person, and was prepared for burial through various means, including the use of linen bandages and other materials to wrap it.[27] (2) The physical structure of a person, which is mutilated, deformed, and eventually destroyed by the disease, symbolizing the sure and deadly process of man's ruin by sin.[28] (3) The part of the Lord's Supper which is not literally it, but it realized it to the believer spiritually and representatively.[29] (4) The body was the subject of embalming, undergoing processes that involved extracting internal organs, introducing spices, washing and wrapping the remains in linen, and eventually placing it in a mummy case.[30] (5) The physical self, which when neglected, does not help deny the self, but tends to satisfy the flesh, which is a demonstration of the importance of moderation.[31]

From: The Complete Sayings of Jesus

(1) This was taken by Joseph of Arimathea, prepared, and then laid in a new sepulchre within a garden, as the text describes.[32] (2) This is a physical aspect, and there is a warning about those who can only kill it.[33] (3) This refers to a physical form, as mentioned in the text.[34] (4) This refers to the physical form that can be killed, but there is something more important than the physical form.[35] (5) Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were looking for this in the sepulchre but they did not find it there.[36]

From: A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings)

(1) This refers to the physical form of a person, and it is mentioned in the context of the spirit escaping from it after death, potentially seeking a new abode.[37] (2) This refers to the physical remains of a person, which were sometimes placed in tombs within the garden, highlighting the association of the garden with death and the afterlife.[38] (3) This is the body of Christ and is also referred to in the context of the resurrection of the body, a concept that the Corinthians struggled to accept.[39] (4) This is a term left undefined, which includes the mystical body which the unworthy despise in the Church of God, the sacramental elements which they dishonor by profane use, and the sacrifice of Christ with which they reject communion.[40]

From: A Cyclopedia of Biblical literature

(1) This refers to the physical remains of the person after death, and the bodies commonly remained on the cross till they wasted away, or were devoured by birds of prey, and after death, among the heathens, the bodies commonly remained.[41]

From: Hymns for Christian Devotion

(1) The author's physical self, which is laid down to rest each night, finding peace as it prepares for slumber, and is protected by divine beings throughout the night.[42]

Significance in Church of the East (or the East Syriac Church):
Church of the East Books

From: The Book of the Cave of Treasures

(1) The physical remains of Adam, which was embalmed, buried, carried out of the Cave of Treasures, and placed in the Ark, and carried by Shem after Noah's death.[43] (2) This refers to the body of our Lord.[44]

From: The Book of the Bee

(1) The art of working in iron is compared to the head's importance to the body, indicating that if the art of working in iron were to cease, all other arts would also cease.[45]

From: The Kebra Nagast

(1) This is what the soul and the Devil contend against, representing a source of temptation.[46]

The Church of the East emerged in the 5th century and separated from the Roman Empire's state church by adopting Nestorianism. It emphasizes the distinct human and divine natures of Jesus Christ. It is also called the Assyrian Church, Nestorian Church or the East Syriac Church.

Significance in Protestantism (Christian movement emphasizing faith and scripture):
Protestantism Books

From: The Existence and Attributes of God

(1) This refers to the physical aspect of a person, which is contrasted with the spirit, emphasizing the importance of valuing the spirit more than the body, and the importance of taking care of the spirit.[47]

Protestantism (or simply the protestant church) is a major branch of Christianity originating from the Reformation in the 16th century, led by figures like Martin Luther. It emphasizes salvation by faith alone and the Bible as the ultimate authority. Variants of Protestantism include Lutheranism, Calvinism, Anglicanism, Methodism and Presbyterianism, each with unique practices but generally united by these core principles.

Gnostic concept of 'Body'

Gnosticism Books

Significance in Gnosticism (Mystical or Esoteric Christianity):

From: Pistis Sophia

(1) The body is the physical form that a person inhabits, from which one can come out of after speaking the name of the mystery, and it is associated with the rulers of the Fate.[48] (2) The physical form from which individuals depart, and their fate after departing from it depends on whether they have repented and received the mysteries.[49] (3) The phrase references the physical form, and the state of the soul at the time of leaving this form is critical, especially in relation to whether one has repented for their wrongdoings prior to death.[50] (4) This is where one exists, and when one comes out of it, they may be carried into the midst of the dragon of the outer darkness if they have not repented and received the mysteries.[51] (5) This refers to the physical form which the speaker possessed in the height, and this is the first power which was cast into Mary during their interaction, relating to the physical form.[52]

From: The Gnostics and Their Remains

(1) The component that is sensible to nothing except how it may draw strength out of Matter, becoming sensible according to its nature.[53] (2) This refers to the indifference of all things pertaining to it, which was a tenet held by the Antitactae.[54]

From: Fragments of a Faith Forgotten

(1) The body is the prison, as mentioned in the text, which is part of the explanation of the doctrine of rebirth, where the soul is trapped.[55] (2) The body hath no power of sensing unless it be an impulse to gain strength from matter; the body, soul, counterfeit spirit, and power develop, each sensing according to its nature, as they develop.[56]