What Does the Bible Say About Racism?
What Does the Bible Say About Racism? The Bible condemns all racism — teaching that all humans are made in God's image, descended from one blood, and equally valued at the cross of Christ.
Key verse: Acts 17:26 (KJV)
The Bible condemns all racism — teaching that all humans are made in God's image, descended from one blood, and equally valued at the cross of Christ.
The Bible condemns all racism — teaching that all humans are made in God's image, descended from one blood, and equally valued at the cross of Christ.
"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
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Related Verses
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The Biblical Answer
Racism is fundamentally opposed to biblical teaching. All humans are created in God's image (Genesis 1:27), giving every person equal inherent dignity. 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. James 2:9 states, 'If ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin.' The early church struggled with Jewish-Gentile prejudice until God showed Peter, '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). Paul proclaimed, '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). Heaven's vision is a 'great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues' (Revelation 7:9) worshipping together. The gospel dismantles every wall of ethnic hostility (Ephesians 2:14).
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... for 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 It Mean to Be Made in God's Image?
Being made in God's image means humans uniquely reflect God's nature — possessing reason, morality, creativity, relational capacity, and spiritual awareness unlike any other creature.
Does the Bible Prohibit Interracial Marriage?
No — the Bible never prohibits marriage between different ethnic groups. It only prohibits marriage between believers and unbelievers.
Why Does the Bible Say to Love Your Enemies?
Jesus commands enemy-love because it reflects God's own character — He sends rain on the just and unjust — and it overcomes evil with good.
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
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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 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.
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