What does the Bible say about interracial marriage?

In the laws that God gave Moses to give to the Children of Israel, one was that they were not to engage in interracial marriage (Deuteronomy 7:3–4). The reason for this law not what some may think, it had nothing to do with skin color or ethnicity. Rather, it was for religious reasons. The reason God commanded against interracial marriage for the Jews was that people of other races were worshippers of false gods, and because of this, the Israelites would be led astray from the true living God if they intermarried with idol worshippers, pagans, and heathens. This is exactly what happened in Israel, according to Malachi 2:11.

For New Testament Christians we are under a similar principle of spiritual purity, but it has nothing to do with race and all to do with our beliefs: "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14). Sadly, some had tried to equate the end of this verse ("light with darkness") with differing skin tones, but that is not the case, as that portion relates to good and evil. Just as the Israelites (believers in the one true God) were commanded not to marry idolaters, so Christians (believers in the one true God) are commanded not to marry unbelievers. The Bible never says that interracial marriage is wrong. Anyone who forbids interracial marriage is doing so without biblical authority.

In thinking about this question we should be reminded of what Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "a person should be judged by his or her character, not by skin color." As a Christian we are admonished by the writer of the book of James (James 2:1–10), that there is no place in the life of the Christian for favoritism based on race. Know this, the biblical perspective is that there is only one "race"—the human race, with everyone having descended from Adam and Eve. When selecting a mate, a Christian should first find out if the potential spouse is born again by faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:3–5). Faith in Christ, not skin color, is the biblical standard for choosing a spouse. Interracial marriage is not a matter of right or wrong, but a matter of love between two Christians. As with any marriage, regardless of skin color it is one that is entered with wisdom, discernment, and prayer.

A couple considering marriage needs to weigh many factors. While a difference in skin color should not be ignored, it absolutely should not be the determining factor in whether a couple should marry. An interracial couple may face discrimination and ridicule, and they should be prepared to respond to such prejudice in a biblical manner. "For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him." (Romans 10:12). A colorblind church and/or a Christian interracial marriage can be a powerful illustration of our equality in Christ.