What Does the Bible Say About Racism?
What Does the Bible Say About Racism? The Bible teaches that all humans are made in God's image, all descended from one blood, and all equal in Christ — making racism fundamentally incompatible with biblical faith.
Key verse: Acts 17:26 (KJV)
The Bible teaches that all humans are made in God's image, all descended from one blood, and all equal in Christ — making racism fundamentally incompatible with biblical faith.
The Bible teaches that all humans are made in God's image, all descended from one blood, and all equal in Christ — making racism fundamentally incompatible with biblical faith.
"God hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth." — Acts 17:26 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
Genesis 1:27 establishes that every human bears God's image — 'So God created man in his own image.' Acts 17:26 declares, 'God hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth.' There is no biblical basis for racial superiority. The gospel breaks down barriers: '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' (Galatians 3:28). Revelation pictures heaven as comprising 'all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues' worshiping together (Revelation 7:9). James condemned favoritism: 'If ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors' (James 2:9). Jesus modeled inclusion — He spoke with a Samaritan woman (John 4), praised a Roman centurion's faith (Matthew 8:10), and told the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10), deliberately making the despised Samaritan the hero. Peter learned, 'God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him' (Acts 10:34-35). Racism contradicts the heart of the gospel.
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
"God 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... ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
"If ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Does the Bible Say About Love?
The Bible teaches that God is love, that He demonstrated love by sending His Son, and that love for God and neighbor is the greatest commandment.
What does the Bible say about judging others?
Jesus said 'Judge not, that ye be not judged' — warning against hypocritical condemnation — while also teaching believers to exercise discernment and hold each other accountable in love.
What Does the Bible Say About Justice?
The Bible reveals God as perfectly just and calls His people to pursue justice for the oppressed, the poor, and the vulnerable as an expression of His character.
What Does the Bible Say About Love?
The Bible defines love not as a feeling but as a sacrificial choice — modeled perfectly by God's gift of His Son.
How Do You Forgive Others According to the Bible?
Biblical forgiveness means releasing bitterness and choosing not to hold someone's offense against them — just as God in Christ forgave us.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
What Does the Bible Say About Racism?
Daily Living
What Does the Bible Say About Racism?
Daily Living
What Does the Bible Say About Living Together Before Marriage?
Marriage & Family
1 Corinthians 10:31 Commentary
In-depth study • Living for God's Glory
Practicing Generosity
Scriptures about giving, generosity, and the blessing of open-handed living.
Bible Verses About Clean Living
10 curated KJV verses
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 planKeep 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
Keep Going
Continue Exploring Scripture
You've found one resource — here are more ways to go deeper into God's Word.
Today's Verse
Start each day with a hand-picked KJV verse and reflection.
Verses by Topic
Find what the Bible says about love, anxiety, strength, and 500+ more topics.
Bible Miracles
Discover the signs and wonders of God recorded in Scripture.
Angels & Spiritual Warfare
Angels, demons, and the armor of God — what the KJV really teaches about the unseen battle.
Bible Genealogies & Family Trees
Visual KJV family trees — the line of Jesus, the sons of Noah, the twelve tribes, and more.
Women of the Bible
Eve, Sarah, Ruth, Esther, Mary — the matriarchs, prophetesses, queens, and disciples of Scripture.