Fasting in Christianity

As for Jesus and his disciples, they do not seem to have had the reputation of being particularly great ascetics. According to the Gospel of Matthew, they were even scolded as "gourmets and wine drinkers" (Matt. 11, 19).

The New Testament therefore does not often speak of the commandments of fasting and the practice of fasting. The abstinence from meat and wine, which was otherwise so often required in antiquity, is not mentioned, on the contrary.

In the 14th chapter of Romans, Paul deals with the different views on eating and drinking. Towards the end you can read (14.20f.): “Everything is pure, but it is bad for people who give offense through their food. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine, nor anything that offends your brother. "

Paul expresses himself similarly in 1 Corinthians 8:13. In the 10th chapter of the letter (10, 23ff.) He explains that the consumption of meat is not prohibited. The apostle even recommends the moderate consumption of wine to the young Timothy for medical reasons (1. Tim. 5, 23): “Don't continue to drink water, but take some wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” Otherwise he definitely advocates a life in asceticism. Early Christianity knew no unclean food, the new freedom should not be restricted again by new commandments.

Despite the attitude of Jesus and his apostles, the early Christians initially continued the Jewish practice of fasting. Instead of Monday and Thursday, the usual weekly fasting days for Jews, Wednesday and Friday were chosen. And although the Apostle of the Nations Paul praised wine, abstinence from meat and wine was part of their fasting practice among the ascetics of early Christianity in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. However, this was always done voluntarily, there was no corresponding command from the Church.