Blessing someone when they sneeze is a tradition that goes back many centuries. While the exact origins are unclear, there are a few common theories about how this practice started.
1. Preventing the spread of disease
One of the most prevalent theories is that saying “God bless you” or “bless you” originated from the belief that sneezing could expel one’s soul from their body. In the Middle Ages, many people believed that the soul was vulnerable during a sneeze and saying “bless you” was thought to protect the sneezer by preventing their soul from escaping. This may have started as a way to combat the bubonic plague, which was spreading rapidly during that time period. Asking for God’s blessing was seen as praying for protection against disease.
There was also a superstition that one’s heart stopped beating for a moment during a sneeze. Saying “bless you” encouraged the heart to continue beating. Overall, the blessing was intended as a safeguard against illness and death after sneezing.
2. Following religious traditions
Pope Gregory the Great, who served in the late 6th and early 7th centuries, instructed people to say “God bless you” during the bubonic plague epidemic. At that time, sneezing was one of the early symptoms of the plague. Pope Gregory encouraged blessing the sneezer as a prayer for protection from illness.
This practice fit with a longer Christian tradition of blessing people when they sneeze. There are early references in writings from Greek and Roman philosophers recommending saying “bless you” to keep evil spirits from entering the body during a sneeze. So the Christian practice likely drew from existing religious and spiritual customs.
3. Restoring balance in the body
Some sources point back to ancient physicians like Hippocrates and Aristotle for the origins of blessing sneezers. They believed that sneezing was an effort by the body to restore internal balance. However, it threw the body out of harmony, which could be dangerous. Saying “bless you” or “God bless you” was thought to help restore proper equilibrium to the body after sneezing disrupted it.
This belief connects to the many ancient healing practices tied to achieving balance in the four humors. Responding to a sneeze by calling for God’s blessing may have been seen as part of maintaining healthy consistent patterns within the body.
4. Wishing good health and fortune
Beyond specific medical concerns, blessing a sneezer has also been viewed as a simple way to wish them well. This is similar to saying “bless you” or “God bless you” after someone coughs. You are expressing hope for their continued good health and showing concern for their wellbeing when they exhibit concerning symptoms.
Some trace this practice to ancient Rome, where it was a sign of desiring health and fortune for the sneezer. The blessing was a friendly and thoughtful response, not necessarily a spiritual or religious ritual. It showed benevolence and goodwill, similar to the way we say “bless you” today.
5. Responding to something of significance
Sneezing naturally grabs someone’s attention. It is impossible to ignore. So blessing a sneezer may have emerged as a way of responding to something of apparent importance. Since sneezing could be an omen or sign of a serious health issue, people would react by calling for God’s blessing as a counter to any ill fortune it may foretell.
Additionally, before modern medicine, sneezing was one of the few bodily functions beyond a person’s control. Saying “bless you” acknowledged the significance of uncontrolled sneezing and marked it as an event deserving of attention and God’s care.
6. Observance of courtesy and manners
Finally, blessing a sneezer was often considered good manners and a social obligation. Responding politely to a sneeze is documented in many early writings and works of literature. Saying “bless you” shows respect for the sneezer and adherence to cultural customs. Just as people say “excuse me” after burping, blessing a sneeze acknowledges social expectations.
Some trace this conduct back to early Christianity’s emphasis on showing charity, compassion, and manners. Addressing a sneeze with a blessing was simply considered the proper and courteous thing to do when in the company of others.
Key biblical principles behind the practice
While the Bible does not specifically command saying “God bless you” after a sneeze, there are some important biblical principles that connect to this practice.
1. Asking God’s blessing and protection
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
Calling for God’s blessing demonstrates faith in His power and care. It places trust in Him to act as our protector and provider, securing good things for our lives.
2. Desiring God’s goodness in others’ lives
“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members serve the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to one another. We have different gifts according to the grace given to each of us.” (Romans 12:4-6)
Asking God to bless someone exhibits love for them as part of the body of Christ. We long for their spiritual growth and physical health because we are united under God’s purpose.
3. Compassion and kindness
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
Blessing a sneezer reflects the Christian virtues of compassion and kindness. It is a thoughtful act that builds up others.
4. Courtesy and manners
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)
Saying “bless you” follows social graces by honoring others and putting them above selfish interests. It shows humility through proper etiquette.
Does saying “God bless you” protect spiritually?
While blessings and prayer can be spiritually powerful, simply saying the phrase “God bless you” does not necessarily confer protection from illness or evil. The key is having true faith in God, not the repetition of a certain set of words. The blessing comes from Him, not the one requesting it for another person.
Nonetheless, asking God to bless someone demonstrates love and care for them. The act can encourage both the speaker and hearer to reflect on God’s ability to protect and strengthen. So this practice should not be dismissed merely as meaningless habit.
Should Christians continue saying “God bless you”?
There is no biblical command to bless sneezers. However, doing so can be appropriate at times due to the sentiments behind it. The phrase should not be offered superstitiously as if the words themselves have power. But saying “God bless you” can be a way to show mercy, pray for health, and practice decorum when moved by genuine care for the sneezer.
The key for Christians is acting out of love and sincerity. If blessing a sneezer is just empty habit or social obligation, it may not have spiritual value. But if moved by compassion for someone created in God’s image, asking His blessing can be a thoughtful practice.
It’s also good to be sensitive to whether your blessing would be appreciated. For some, like atheists, it could come across as unnecessary or intrusive. Discern when it is welcome and when you should offer a simple “bless you” instead.
Ultimately, this is a custom, not a biblical command. Christians have freedom in when and how to appropriately say “God bless you.” The priority is showing charity and grace as we live out our faith.
Examples from church history
Below are some examples of church leaders and theologians commenting on or demonstrating the practice of blessing sneezers:
Pope Gregory the Great
As mentioned previously, Pope Gregory instructed Christians to say “God bless you” during bubonic plague outbreaks in the late 6th century. He wrote a letter saying, “We exhort you to watch most carefully over the life of all your subjects. You must take the greatest care to instill in them a holy expedition by the application of bleeding (bloodletting) and of theriacs (antidotes).” He advised blessing those who sneezed to combat the new deadly disease.
Martin Luther
The German reformer Martin Luther opposed many religious superstitions but saw value in blessing sneezers. In his Table Talk writings, he stated: “When you hear someone sneeze, and you say ‘God bless you,’ the devil will think ‘How they plague and trifle with me! If I try to injure one of them they wish on him nothing but good in the name of God.'” Though he was likely being somewhat playful, Luther seemed to approve of the practice.
Increase Mather
Increase Mather was a Puritan minister in 17th century Boston. In his health guide titled “Several Reasons Proving That Inoculating Or Transplanting The Small Pox, Is A Lawful Practice,” he recommended blessing someone when they sneezed. He wrote, “If thy friend sneezes when thou art with him, God bless him, is a noble and a courteous saying.” Mather saw it as good etiquette.
John Wesley
Methodist founder John Wesley taught some questionable folk medicine practices. However, he correctly dismissed many old wives tales in an 18th century book on home health remedies. Regarding the superstition that blessing a sneeze originated from concerns about the heart stopping, he wrote, “That the heart of a sneezer stops, I do not believe… but it is certain since we breathe through the same passage of the nose, the particles of contagion from an infected person are most likely to enter at the same time.”
As we can see, theologians and church thinkers have taken varying perspectives on this practice. Overall, teaching and modeling courtesy has been consistent. But many recognized the custom and phrase had no inherent spiritual power.
Final considerations
In summary, saying “God bless you” or “bless you” when someone sneezes likely emerged centuries ago from a mix of spiritual beliefs, medical concerns, good manners, and common courtesy. While Christians are not obligated to make this response, doing so with care and sincerity can represent mercies and prayers that align with biblical values.
However, rote habit or thoughtless social conformity do not fulfill Christ’s command that we love one another. So the church must guard against empty actions that lack spiritual vitality behind them.
As always, discernment, charity, and grace should guide our actions more than traditions, customs or expectations. If blessing a sneezer springs from a heart of compassion, it can be a thoughtful practice. But may we ultimately put more weight in actions that clearly carry out Jesus’ call to serve and love all people, whether they are sneezing or not.