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    What Does the Bible Say About Racism?

    What Does the Bible Say About Racism? The Bible teaches that all humans are one race made in God's image, that God shows no partiality, and that Christ unites people of every ethnicity.

    Key verse: Acts 17:26 (KJV)

    The Bible teaches that all humans are one race made in God's image, that God shows no partiality, and that Christ unites people of every ethnicity.

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    Quick Answer

    The Bible teaches that all humans are one race made in God's image, that God shows no partiality, and that Christ unites people of every ethnicity.

    "And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth." — Acts 17:26 (KJV)

    The Biblical Answer

    Scripture provides the strongest possible foundation against racism. All humanity descends from one couple (Acts 17:26: 'hath made of one blood all nations of men'). Every person is made in God's image (Genesis 1:27). God 'is no respecter of persons' (Acts 10:34). Peter learned this lesson dramatically when God sent him to the Gentile Cornelius, declaring 'What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common' (Acts 10:15). Paul proclaimed that in Christ 'there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free... for ye are all one in Christ Jesus' (Galatians 3:28). Revelation pictures the redeemed from 'every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation' (Revelation 5:9) worshipping together. The Bible condemns favoritism (James 2:1-9) and calls believers to love their neighbors regardless of ethnicity. Racism contradicts the Bible's fundamental teachings about human dignity and divine love.

    Topic Overview

    What Does the Bible Say About Racism?

    What the Bible teaches about racial equality, prejudice, and the unity of all people in Christ.

    Key Scripture References

    "And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth."
    "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
    "But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors."

    Frequently asked questions

    Frequently asked questions

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    Deep Dive Commentary

    For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:

    Related Reading

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    Read it in context

    The answer above sits inside Acts. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.

    Read Acts on day 309 of the chronological Bible reading plan

    Keep the verses to hand

    Every verse quoted in “What Does the Bible Say About Racism?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Scripture provides the strongest possible foundation against racism. All humanity descends from one couple (Acts 17:26: 'hath made of one blood all nations of men'). Every person is made in God's image (Genesis 1:27). God 'is no respecter of persons' (Acts 10:34). Peter learned this lesson dramatically when God sent him to the Gentile Cornelius, declaring 'What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common' (Acts 10:15). Paul proclaimed that in Christ 'there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free... for ye are all one in Christ Jesus' (Galatians 3:28). Revelation pictures the redeemed from 'every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation' (Revelation 5:9) worshipping together. The Bible condemns favoritism (James 2:1-9) and calls believers to love their neighbors regardless of ethnicity. Racism contradicts the Bible's fundamental teachings about human dignity and divine love.

    The Bible teaches that God is perfectly just, commands His people to pursue justice for the oppressed, and will ultimately judge all people fairly.

    Jesus identified 'love your neighbor as yourself' as the second greatest commandment, and the parable of the Good Samaritan defines neighbor as anyone in need.