The only Biblical restriction placed on whom a Christian may marry is whether the other person is a member of the body of Christ. Faith in Christ, not skin color, is the biblical standard for choosing a spouse. A Christian should have no favoritism based on race. “… If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:1-10).
The Old Testament Law commanded the Israelites not to have interracial marriage (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). But the reason for this was not racial but religious. God did not want His children to unite with the idolaters and worshipers of false gods. Yet, King Solomon disregarded God’s command, marrying many women from the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites. 1 Kings records that Solomon “clung to these in love.” Sadly, his pagan wives influenced him to worship idols and led him away from God. Consequently, the Lord split the ten tribes from the rule of Solomon’s descendants, dividing the nation of Israel (1 Kings 11:1-13, 1 Kings 12:1-24).
In the New Testament, we have the same instruction against uniting with unbelievers in marriage. “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14). Therefore, when choosing a mate, a Christian should always search for a born again believer in Jesus Christ. Jesus stressed the same truth. He said to Nicodemus, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:3-5).
The only reason interracial marriage should be considered carefully is the difficulties the couple may experience because of how others may react to them. Many interracial couples experience discrimination due to immaturity. In each situation, these outside interferences have to be carefully examined and evaluated before the couple should decide to marry.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
