Prejudice is a human condition that even the Bible addresses in various passages, offering wisdom and guidance for those seeking to better understand and overcome this destructive tendency. With stories, parables, and teachings, the Bible talks about equality, respect, and love for all people, regardless of their unique differences or backgrounds. In its pages, we uncover powerful, timeless truths to combat prejudice.
What does the Bible say about Prejudice?
Undoubtedly, the Bible sits squarely against prejudice. A variety of verses emphasize the fundamental belief in the inherent worth and dignity of all human beings, a truth divinely endowed by God’s creation. In several stories and verses, it becomes clear that God views all people as equal, urging followers to do the same. From Genesis’s creation of mankind to the teachings of Christ and the apostles in the New Testament, the Bible repeatedly underscores the importance of avoiding prejudice and showing love and respect to everyone.
Why Does the Bible guide against Prejudice?
Reflecting on the Bible’s teachings shows the motivation behind its guidance against prejudice. The Bible teaches that all humanity is created in God’s image and therefore shares a common, God-given dignity. This sanctity of all human life drives the Bible’s pervasive admonitions against prejudice. Its guidance is not merely towards individual morality but extends to societal behaviors and attitudes, advocating for justice, equality, and love in all human interactions and systems.
Who Does the Bible address with its stance on Prejudice?
The Bible speaks to everyone when it addresses prejudice. It’s not just leaders or societies being addressed, but every individual. The guidance against prejudice is not solely meant for personal moral conduct, but is also intended to influence societal structures and attitudes. Its teaching demands that followers treat everyone around them with love, kindness, and fairness, regardless of their race, religion, origin, or any other human-created differences.
Where in the Bible Do We See Teachings Against Prejudice?
The teachings against prejudice can be found in various parts of the Bible: in the Old Testament, the Torah, the books of Prophets, and also in the New Testament. From the very beginning in Genesis where it is mentioned that all men are created in God’s image and hence uniformly deserving of respect and dignity, to the teachings of Jesus Christ, and until the wise instructions of the Apostles Paul and James, the Bible provides a consistent refrain of love that overtakes prejudice.
When can these biblical teachings on Prejudice be Applied?
The applications of the Bible’s teachings on prejudice are timeless and universal. We can apply these teachings in our lives now, today, in everyday situations. Whether in our personal relationships, working environments, societal interactions, or political views, these teachings provide the standard for all time and all places. The basic principles that every person is equal in the eyes of God, deserving of respect, dignity, and love, applies to all human interactions. These teachings stand relevant today as well as they were two thousand years ago, reminding us that the fight against prejudice is a timeless struggle, but one that the wisdom of the Bible equips us to tackle.
Below is our full list of bible verses on prejudice (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Prejudice
Galatians 3:28
“28 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.”
Related Themes: Equality Strangers Discrimination Culture
Titus 1:12-13
“12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;”
Related Themes: Gluttony
Ephesians 4:32
“32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Forgiveness Kindness Bitterness Reconciliation
Matthew 7:1-5
“1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”
Related Themes: Judging Others Criticism Judging Others Gossip
John 13:34-35
“34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Related Themes: Love Hate Fidelity Forgiveness
Ephesians 6:9
“9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.”
Related Themes: Business Partiality Equality Favoritism
Colossians 3:11
“11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.”
Related Themes: Strangers Diversity Social Justice Partiality
Romans 12:3
“3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
Acts 10:34
“34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:”
Related Themes: Strangers Favoritism Equality Discrimination Respect
Mark 12:31
“31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”
Related Themes: Love Equality Bullying Gossip Discrimination
John 7:24
“24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”
Related Themes: Judging Others Discernment Criticism Resolving Conflict Modesty
John 17:11
“11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.”
Related Themes: Holiness
Acts 10:34-35
“34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”
Related Themes: Strangers Favoritism Equality Discrimination Respect
Romans 2:11
“11 For there is no respect of persons with God.”
Related Themes: Equality Discrimination Partiality Favoritism Fairness
1 Samuel 16:7
“7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
Related Themes: Pride Self-Esteem Criticism Vanity Heart
Romans 10:12-13
“12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Related Themes: Social Justice
Proverbs 24:23
“23 These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.”
Related Themes: Judging Others Partiality
Acts 17:26
“26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;”
Related Themes: Sovereignty Equality Boundaries Segregation
John 13:34
“34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”
Related Themes: Love Hate Fidelity Forgiveness
Romans 14:1
“1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.”
Related Themes: Strangers Judging Others Arguing Food Criticism
Micah 6:8
“8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
Related Themes: Humility Justice Strangers Business Social Justice
Matthew 28:19
“19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”
Related Themes: Omnipresence Holy Spirit Baptism Education Omnipotence
Galatians 2:11-14
“11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?”
Related Themes: Omnipotence Judging Others Confrontation Peer Pressure
Deuteronomy 10:17
“17 For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:”
Related Themes: Greatness Homelessness Partiality Equality Favoritism
Proverbs 18:2
“2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.”
Related Themes: Arguing Understanding Opinions Communication Assumption
1 Chronicles 16:11
“11 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.”
Related Themes: Pride Perseverance Strength Life Homelessness
Proverbs 18:13
“13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.”
Related Themes: Arguing Business Listening Communication Resolving Conflict
Proverbs 11:27
“27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.”
Related Themes: Reaping Reaping What You Sow Diligence
Matthew 15:22-28
“22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.”
Exodus 22:21
“21 Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.”
Related Themes: Strangers Trespassing Hospitality
