What Does the Bible Say About Unbelievers?
The Bible speaks extensively about unbelievers, describing their spiritual condition, their separation from God, and their need for salvation in Christ. Scripture does not merely categorize people as “believers” or “unbelievers” in a casual sense—it presents a clear contrast between those who belong to God through faith and those who remain apart from Him.
Unbelievers are portrayed as being in a state of spiritual death, unable to respond to the gospel because of the power of sin, the influence of the world, and the deception of the devil. They lack the Holy Spirit and therefore cannot truly understand or embrace the truth of God’s Word. Yet the Bible also holds out hope: God, through the gospel, calls unbelievers to repentance and faith, transforming them into new creations in Christ.
This article will explore:
How the Bible describes the condition of unbelievers.
The spiritual influences that keep unbelievers in darkness.
God’s call to believers regarding their interaction with unbelievers.
The hope of transformation through the gospel.
1. The Spiritual Condition of Unbelievers
The Bible consistently teaches that unbelievers are in a state of spiritual death. Paul writes in Ephesians 2:1, “You were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked.” This is not a description of physical death but of spiritual separation from God. Without the life-giving work of the Holy Spirit, unbelievers cannot respond in faith to the gospel.
Unbelievers are also described as “the natural person” in 1 Corinthians 2:14, unable to understand spiritual truths because they do not have the Spirit of God. Their thinking is darkened, and their hearts are hardened toward the things of God (Ephesians 4:18). This condition is not morally neutral—it is one of rebellion against God, even if expressed passively rather than actively.
The Bible also calls unbelievers “those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 4:3), underscoring the seriousness of their situation. Without the saving work of Christ, they are under God’s just wrath (John 3:36).
2. The Influence of Sin, the World, and the Devil
According to the Bible, unbelievers are not merely uninformed about God—they are actively influenced by spiritual forces opposed to Him. Paul describes this reality in Ephesians 2:2, saying that unbelievers follow “the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air,” a reference to Satan’s rule over the present age.
Sin holds unbelievers in bondage. Jesus says, “Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin” (John 8:34). This slavery blinds them to their need for salvation. The devil’s deception plays a central role in unbelief, as 2 Corinthians 4:4 explains: “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel.”
The world’s value system also shapes unbelief. In 1 John 2:15–16, the world is described as loving desires and pride rather than the will of God. Unbelievers, whether knowingly or not, conform to this way of thinking, which is at odds with the kingdom of God.
3. God’s Call to Believers Regarding Unbelievers
The Bible gives clear instructions on how believers should relate to unbelievers. While there is a call to be separate from the sinful patterns of the world (2 Corinthians 6:14–17), this is not a call to avoid unbelievers entirely. Jesus Himself spent time with sinners, calling them to repentance (Mark 2:15–17).
Believers are called to live in such a way that their conduct points unbelievers toward Christ. 1 Peter 2:12 instructs Christians to keep their conduct honorable “so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God.” Even when unbelievers oppose or misunderstand Christians, God can use faithful witness to draw them to salvation.
At the same time, the Bible warns that partnerships with unbelievers—particularly those that compromise a believer’s loyalty to Christ—are dangerous. This applies to close, covenantal relationships such as marriage, as well as to spiritual alliances that could lead to compromise in faith.
4. The Hope of Transformation for Unbelievers
Though the Bible speaks soberly about the condition of unbelievers, it also offers a message of hope. God is able to open blind eyes, soften hard hearts, and bring people from death to life through the power of the gospel. Paul, once an unbeliever and persecutor of the church, testified in 1 Timothy 1:13–14 that he “received mercy” and that “the grace of our Lord overflowed.”
This transformation is entirely the work of God’s grace. Belief is not something unbelievers can manufacture in their own strength—it is the result of God’s Spirit granting new birth (John 3:5–8). The gospel is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).
For this reason, believers are called to pray for unbelievers, share the gospel with them, and trust God to bring about the change. Evangelism is not about winning an argument but about presenting Christ so that God may bring spiritual life where there was once only death.
5. The Gospel and the Eternal Destiny of Unbelievers
The Bible is clear that persistent unbelief leads to eternal separation from God. Revelation 21:8 lists “the unbelieving” among those who face the second death. Jesus warns in John 8:24, “Unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”
Yet the focus of the gospel is not merely on the warning but on the invitation. God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). The church’s mission is to proclaim that Jesus Christ has already accomplished salvation through His life, death, and resurrection. The call to unbelievers is to repent and believe, entering into the kingdom of God.
For Christians, this truth shapes how we view unbelievers—not with pride or condemnation, but with compassion and urgency. Every unbeliever is a person made in God’s image, in need of the same grace that rescued us.
Conclusion: God’s Heart for the Lost
The Bible’s teaching on unbelievers is both sobering and hopeful. Without Christ, unbelievers are spiritually dead, enslaved to sin, blinded by Satan, and under God’s wrath. Yet through the gospel, God offers life, freedom, and forgiveness.
Believers are called to live faithfully, proclaim Christ, and trust God to draw unbelievers to Himself. This is not only an act of obedience but an expression of love. In the bigger picture of the gospel, the transformation of unbelievers into children of God demonstrates the power and glory of Christ’s kingdom—a kingdom that will one day be revealed in full when all who belong to Him are gathered in His presence.
Bible Verses About Unbelievers
Ephesians 2:1–2 – “You were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked…”
1 Corinthians 2:14 – “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God…”
2 Corinthians 4:3–4 – “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers…”
John 3:36 – “Whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
John 8:34 – “Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.”
Ephesians 4:18 – “They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God…”
1 Peter 2:12 – “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable…”
1 Timothy 1:13–14 – “I received mercy… and the grace of our Lord overflowed…”
Romans 1:16 – “The gospel… is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”
Revelation 21:8 – “…the unbelieving… will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur…”
