What does the Bible say about refusing medical treatment?

I. Understanding the Context

Refusing medical treatment is a concern that arises when individuals wrestle with how to exercise faith in divine healing while also considering the value of medical intervention. Several passages and principles in Scripture provide clarity. Stories in both Old and New Testaments depict believers trusting God as their ultimate healer, while also recognizing the legitimacy and usefulness of medical practices. Examining these passages and the surrounding historical and cultural contexts can guide a thoughtful approach.

II. Scriptural Examples of Seeking Healing

1. King Asa’s Example (2 Chronicles 16:12)

“In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and though his disease was severe, he did not seek the LORD but only the physicians.” (2 Chronicles 16:12)

Here, the issue was not that Asa consulted physicians, but that he relied solely on them without seeking God at all. The text emphasizes the importance of acknowledging God as the ultimate healer, rather than condemning the act of using medical help. Asa’s downfall came because he “did not seek the LORD,” indicating misplaced trust.

2. The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:34)

“...He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” (Luke 10:34)

This parable reveals a practical example of providing physical care, including medical-type treatment (using oil and wine, which had antiseptic properties in the ancient world). Jesus commends the Samaritan’s care, suggesting that tending to health needs aligns with compassion and love of neighbor.

3. Paul’s Advice to Timothy (1 Timothy 5:23)

“Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments.” (1 Timothy 5:23)

Paul, writing under divine inspiration, counsels Timothy to use a remedy for ongoing stomach problems. This clearly reflects recognition of beneficial medical or practical interventions, showing that believers are not restricted from using available treatments for physical health.

4. Jesus’ Words on the Sick (Mark 2:17)

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick...” (Mark 2:17)

Though used metaphorically, Jesus implies that seeking a doctor’s help if one is sick is normal and expected. The statement acknowledges the existence and role of medical professionals without suggesting any prohibition against their use.

III. Balancing Faith and Medicine

1. Trusting God First

Throughout Scripture, trust in God is paramount (e.g., Psalm 46:1). Whether one seeks medical treatment or not, a consistent biblical theme is that ultimate dependence should be placed on the Creator. Refusing medical treatment does not automatically equate to faith, and using medical treatment does not demonstrate a lack of faith. Instead, God can work through both prayer and the means of medicine.

2. Stewardship of the Body

From a biblical view, the body is considered the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). Caring for it responsibly often includes availing oneself of medical resources. Historical records from early church periods show that believers established hospitals and cared deeply for the sick, an outworking of Christ’s love.

3. Medical Knowledge as a Gift

Luke the physician (Colossians 4:14) was integral in documenting events in the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. The contributions of a physician-disciple within the biblical text indicate that medical knowledge and practice are not in opposition to faith; instead, they are resources that can be used wisely.

IV. Instances of Miraculous Healing

1. Old Testament Miracles

Scripture includes miraculous healings such as Naaman’s cleansing from leprosy (2 Kings 5). These events illustrate God’s sovereignty in healing. Yet, Naaman was instructed to wash in the Jordan River, a practical act combined with faith. This balance between the physical and the divine underscores that miracles often intersect with tangible action.

2. New Testament Miracles

The Gospels and Acts record Christ and the apostles performing numerous healings (Matthew 8:1–3; Acts 3:1–10). These events confirm that God is able to heal supernaturally. Still, those events do not negate the instances where Scripture endorses or acknowledges the use of medical resources, as with Paul advising remedies to Timothy.

V. Historical and Archaeological Corroboration

Archaeological discoveries, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, reinforce the accurate transmission of the texts that highlight these accounts of healing and the call to trust God. Early Christian writings also show that believers maintained care centers for the sick, demonstrating a continuity between scriptural principles of compassion and practice. Moreover, documented cases throughout church history testify to both remarkable healings through prayer and breakthroughs in medical advancements facilitated by people of faith.

VI. Philosophical and Ethical Considerations

1. Personal Convictions and Conscience

Individuals may arrive at different convictions regarding medicine based on conscience. In Romans 14:5, believers are reminded, “Each of them should be fully convinced in his own mind.” While this verse addresses other practices, it underscores the principle of personal conviction. However one decides—whether to accept, delay, or refuse treatment—the biblical model is to operate from faith, gratitude, and a desire to honor God.

2. The Role of Community Support

Scripture emphasizes the importance of counsel within a community of believers (Proverbs 15:22). Seeking wise counsel from spiritually mature leaders, medical professionals, and family members can help someone make an informed, faith-filled decision regarding treatment.

3. Compassion and Love

God’s character, as revealed throughout Scripture, highlights compassion and love for others (John 13:34–35). Caring for health, whether our own or others’, upholds the biblical ethic to love our neighbors as ourselves. Refusal of medical treatment should not neglect the well-being of oneself or create undue burdens on others if there are safe and prudent ways to seek care.

VII. Conclusion

Scripture neither outright condemns nor commands the refusal of medical treatment. Instead, it consistently teaches reliance on God while affirming practical responses to illness. Faith in God’s power to heal can and does work alongside the use of medical resources, reflecting the balanced principle that all healing ultimately comes from Him. Whether miracles occur through instantaneous divine intervention or through the skillful hands of physicians, the consistent call is to trust in God, exhibit compassion, and be good stewards of the bodies and opportunities entrusted to us.

Those considering refusing medical treatment are encouraged to weigh their decisions prayerfully, seeking biblical counsel, and remembering that the Creator can utilize both the supernatural and the scientific to bring about His healing work.