The Bible has a lot to say about diversity and how we should approach differences among people. Here is an overview of some key Bible verses that speak to this topic:
We are all made in God’s image
Genesis 1:27 states “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” This verse establishes that all human beings, regardless of gender, ethnicity, social status, abilities, or any other factor, are made in the very image of God. This gives all people innate dignity and value.
There is no favoritism with God
Multiple Bible verses communicate that God does not show favoritism or partiality based on earthly categories. For example:
“For God does not show favoritism.” (Romans 2:11)
“And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.” (Ephesians 6:9)
“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.” (James 2:1)
Since God Himself does not differentiate between people based on race, class, gender or other factors, the Bible calls Christ-followers to extend honor and dignity to all people.
Christ breaks down barriers between people
The New Testament describes how the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross removed barriers between different groups of people. His death reconciled people to God and to one another. For example:
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” (Ephesians 2:13-14)
“Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.” (Colossians 3:11)
Because of Christ’s work, diversity is no longer something that divides us. People from every tribe and nation are invited into God’s family on equal standing (Revelation 5:9).
The early church modeled diversity
The book of Acts describes the incredible diversity of the first Christians. At Pentecost, God poured out His Spirit on people from all across the Roman Empire who had gathered in Jerusalem (Acts 2). The early church welcomed people regardless of ethnicity, language, or cultural background.
For example, Acts 13:1 mentions leaders from diverse backgrounds: “Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.” The early church sets an example of embracing diversity.
Be accepting of other believers
The Bible instructs Christians to accept one another across differences. Romans 15:7 says “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” And Romans 14:1 says “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.”
While holding firmly to biblical truth, Christians are to extend grace, patience and understanding to fellow believers with different cultural backgrounds, customs and convictions on secondary issues.
Love your neighbor
Jesus highlighted “love your neighbor as yourself” as one of the two greatest commandments (Matthew 22:39). The parable of the good Samaritan made it clear our “neighbor” includes people very different than us (Luke 10:25-37). Loving people sacrificially crosses all barriers.
The Gospel is for every nation
A key theme throughout Scripture is that the Gospel is good news for the entire world. God promised Abraham his descendants would be a blessing to “all peoples on earth” (Genesis 12:3). Isaiah 49:6 says of Jesus: “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
After His resurrection, Jesus commanded His disciples to take the Gospel to “all nations” (Matthew 28:19). He promises that He has sheep from “every tribe and language and people and nation” who will worship Him as Lord (Revelation 5:9).
Cultural diversity at the end
The book of Revelation portrays the incredible cultural diversity that will be present in eternity. It describes people from every tribe, language, nation and race worshiping God together (Revelation 7:9). Heaven’s perfect diversity reflects God’s heart for all people.
While humans have a tendency to divide along racial, ethnic and cultural lines, God sees all people as equal in value. He wants His Church to model the diversity that will be present in the kingdom of God. The Bible gives principles for embracing diversity while finding unity in Christ.
Additional relevant verses include: Acts 10:34-35, Galatians 3:28, Ephesians 4:2-6, Philippians 2:1-4, Colossians 3:12-14, 1 Peter 3:8, Revelation 14:6.
In summary, the Bible affirms that all people are created in God’s image. Jesus’ death tore down barriers between groups of people. God does not show favoritism or partiality. Christians are called to love and accept one another across racial, cultural and ethnic diversity. And the Gospel is good news for people from every nation.
Diversity is part of God’s design and His destiny for humanity. As Christ-followers shine the light of the Gospel in a divided world, they manifest God’s heart for all people – the innate value of each person and the beauty of diversity within Biblical unity.
Additional Bible verses about diversity include:
Genesis 1:27 – So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Deuteronomy 10:17 – For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.
2 Chronicles 19:7 – Now then, let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.
Job 34:19 – who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?
Proverbs 22:2 – Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all.
Acts 10:34-35 – Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.
Romans 2:11 – For God does not show favoritism.
Galatians 3:28 – There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:14-15 – For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace.
Colossians 3:11 – Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
James 2:9 – But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
1 Peter 1:17 – Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.
Revelation 7:9 – After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
The Bible makes it clear that human divisions and partiality are not part of God’s heart or His coming kingdom. Followers of Jesus are called to honor the God-given dignity and worth of all people, while finding unity in Christ alone. This provides a countercultural witness of the power of the Gospel to overcome barriers and bring authentic community.
When Christians embrace diversity – ethnic, cultural, economic, ability, age, political, and otherwise – they reflect the unfathomable value God places on each individual He created. And they point ahead to the “every tribe, tongue and nation” vision of eternity. Diversity is fundamentally a Gospel issue.
The church’s best vision of God’s heart for diversity will come when believers lay aside human biases and personal preferences to humbly serve one another in love. When Christians honor and celebrate differences rather than demanding uniformity, they demonstrate what true unity in Christ looks like.
The Bible calls Christ-followers to be peacemakers and bridge-builders in the midst of racial and cultural conflicts. Christians can model how to navigate diversity with wisdom, patience, humility and grace. They have the opportunity to be a light to the nations by showing how the Gospel reconstructs humanity’s divisions.
Our world is fractured and polarized across racial, political, economic and social lines. As the Church lives out the Biblical vision of diversity, the transformative power of the Gospel is on display. People from every background can worship Jesus Christ as Lord, while appreciating the beauty of diversity within God’s design for human community.
When it comes to diversity, Christians would do well to focus less on what divides us and more on what unites us – the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. He alone has the power to form one new, diverse humanity that honors God and enriches our lives and communities.