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What does the Bible say about body piercings and tattoos?

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The Bible does not give a universal prohibition of tattoos or body piercings, but calls believers to honor God with their bodies, motives, and appearance. Leviticus 19:28 and Deuteronomy 14:1 forbid mourning and pagan religious practices among Israel, so they should not be treated as simple bans on every modern marking or piercing. Christians are temples of the Holy Spirit and belong to Christ (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), therefore such choices should be made reverently, not for rebellion, vanity, immorality, or identification with idolatry. Romans 14:23 urges faith-informed conscience, while 1 Corinthians 10:31 gives the guiding aim: do all to God’s glory.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Leviticus 19:28

    "'You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you. I am Yahweh.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

    [19] Or don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own, [20] for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

  • Deuteronomy 14:1

    You are the children of Yahweh your God: you shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:31

    Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:19

    Or don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own,

  • 1 Timothy 2:9

    In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety; not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing;

  • Romans 14:23

    But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because it isn't of faith; and whatever is not of faith is sin. (14:24) Now to him who is able to establish you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret through long ages, (14:25) but now is revealed, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known for obedience of faith to all the nations; (14:26) to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.

  • Psalms 139:14

    I will give thanks to you, For I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:20

    for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

  • Exodus 21:6

    then his master shall bring him to God, and shall bring him to the door or to the door-post, and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall serve him for ever.

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