What Does the Bible Say About Non-Believers?
The Bible presents a nuanced and multi-layered view of non-believers. It acknowledges the reality of spiritual opposition to the truth, yet it also emphasizes God’s mercy and the believer’s responsibility to extend grace to those outside the faith. The tension between the present condition of non-believers and God’s call to reach them shapes much of the biblical narrative.
The Spiritual State of Non-Believers in the Bible
The Bible describes non-believers as spiritually dead, unable to respond to God on their own apart from His intervention. Ephesians 2:1–3 depicts them as “dead in trespasses and sins” and “following the ruler of the authority of the air,” a reference to Satan. This spiritual death is not merely a lack of information but a profound inability to choose God without His grace.
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:4 that “the god of this world” blinds the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of Christ. This illustrates that non-believers are both victims of deception and active participants in rejecting God’s truth, following “the desires of the flesh” rather than the Spirit.
God’s Heart Toward Non-Believers
While the Bible portrays the reality of sin’s grip on non-believers, it also reveals God’s persistent love for them. Throughout Scripture, God seeks out the lost, offering redemption and life through the message of the Gospel.
Leviticus 19:33–34 commands the people of Israel to love the sojourner “as yourself,” pointing to a broader biblical ethic of kindness toward outsiders. In the New Testament, Jesus models this by dining with tax collectors and sinners, not to affirm their sin but to call them to repentance.
This dual approach—recognizing the seriousness of unbelief while extending compassion—reflects the heart of the kingdom of God. The mission of the church is not isolation from non-believers, but engagement with them in love and truth.
The Call for Believers in Relating to Non-Believers
The Bible gives practical instruction on how believers should engage with non-believers:
Treat with Respect and Gentleness – 1 Peter 3:15 teaches believers to give a defense for their faith “with gentleness and respect.”
Avoid Quarrelsome Interactions – 2 Timothy 2:24–25 advises avoiding foolish arguments and instead patiently instructing those who oppose the truth.
Model the Gospel in Action – Colossians 4:5–6 calls believers to walk in wisdom toward outsiders, letting their speech be “gracious, seasoned with salt.”
In each case, the goal is not simply to win an argument, but to demonstrate the truth of the Gospel in a way that draws non-believers toward Christ.
The Eternal Stakes for Non-Believers
The Bible speaks soberly about the eternal reality awaiting non-believers who reject Christ. John 3:18 warns that “whoever does not believe is condemned already,” and Revelation 20:15 describes the final judgment for those whose names are not found in the book of life.
These passages underscore the urgency of the church’s mission. The hope of the Gospel is that even those far from God can be brought near through repentance and faith in Christ.
Bible Verses About Non-Believers
Ephesians 2:1–2, “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air.”
2 Corinthians 4:4, “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
Romans 5:8, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Leviticus 19:33–34, “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself.”
Matthew 5:44, “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
1 Peter 3:15, “Always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
Colossians 4:5–6, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt.”
John 3:18, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already.”
Acts 17:30, “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.”
Revelation 20:15, “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
