What does the Bible say about tattoos and body piercings?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible calls believers to honor God with their bodies and to make outward choices from faith, wisdom, and love rather than rebellion, vanity, or conformity to the world. Leviticus 19:28 forbade Israel practices tied to mourning for the dead and pagan worship, though Christians differ on how directly this ceremonial and cultural command applies today. First Corinthians 6:19-20 teaches that our bodies belong to God, while 1 Corinthians 10:31 directs all we do toward his glory. God sees the heart (1 Samuel 16:7), yet bodily choices still matter because human life bears his image (Genesis 9:6). Christians should therefore exercise liberty carefully, seeking modesty, godliness, and consideration for others.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Leviticus 19:28 43 votes
“‘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 16 votes
Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
- 1 Corinthians 10:31 6 votes
Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
- 1 Samuel 16:7 5 votes
But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart.”
- Genesis 9:6 5 votes
Whoever sheds man’s blood, his blood will be shed by man, for God made man in his own image.
- 1 Corinthians 6:13 4 votes
“Foods for the belly, and the belly for foods,” but God will bring to nothing both it and them. But the body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
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