What does the Bible say about dating different races?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible does not forbid dating or marriage between people of different races, but calls believers to honor Christ, pursue holiness, and seek marriage within the faith. Scripture teaches that all humanity shares one origin in God’s creation, and in Christ ethnic distinctions do not determine a person’s worth or standing before God (Acts 17:26; Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11). The chief biblical concern is spiritual unity: believers should not enter a binding relationship that draws them away from faithful obedience to the Lord (2 Corinthians 6:14). Marriage is to be honored as a covenant of lifelong faithfulness (Hebrews 13:4). Old Testament warnings about intermarriage addressed covenant faithfulness and idolatry, not racial superiority (Genesis 28:1).
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 2 Corinthians 6:14 8 votes
Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?
- Galatians 3:28 8 votes
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
- Colossians 3:11 7 votes
where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, or free person; but Christ is all, and in all.
- Acts 17:26 6 votes
He made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth, having determined appointed seasons and the boundaries of their dwellings,
- Hebrews 13:4 5 votes
Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled; but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
- Leviticus 19:19 5 votes
“‘You shall keep my statutes. “‘You shall not cross-breed different kinds of animals. “‘You shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed; “‘Don’t wear a garment made of two kinds of material.
- Genesis 28:1 4 votes
Isaac called Jacob, blessed him, and commanded him, “You shall not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan.
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