What Does the Bible Say About Racism — In Biblical Context

The Biblical Context

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.

Where It Sits in Scripture

Supporting Passages