Tattoos: What does the Bible say about them?
Things have surely changed in America. When I was a young man about the only people who had tattoos were those who were then or had served in some part of the U.S. Navy. I don’t remember ever seeing a woman with one. But all that is quite irrelevant to the question. What does our Bible say about them? Aren’t believers to study it diligently and work to get their lives in line with its teaching? Isn’t that what obedient and progressing believers do? Both the apostle Peter and the apostle Paul make statements related to this.
2 Peter 3:18
18 But GROW in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. [Emphasis added]
2 Timothy 2:15
15 Study [SPOUDAZO = be diligent] to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [Emphasis added]
So, what does our Bible, “the word of truth,” tell us about tattoos? That portion of it that is typically called “the New Testament” doesn’t say anything at all about them. But is there anything anywhere else in the Bible that should cause us to believe that tattoos are displeasing to our Lord? And aren’t we commanded to only do those things that would be pleasing to Him? Please note what our example, the apostle Paul prayed concerning the believers in Colossae—
Colossians 1:9-10
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of HIS WILL in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto ALL PLEASING, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; [Emphasis added]
It seems that tattoos are more popular now than ever in many parts of the world. It is a fact that the number of people with tattoos in America has increased significantly in recent years. But how are we as believers to form our thinking and make our decisions about this and other things?
Romans 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your BODIES a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. [Emphasis added]
Clearly, we’re not to allow the people of the world to determine or affect our norms and standards for living. It is the teachings of the Bible that are to do that and, for our time, especially what we read in those that are called the Pauline epistles.
1 Corinthians 4:16
16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of ME [Paul]. [Emphasis added]
This was not just to do with following his example of faithfulness but to comply with HIS teaching, HIS doctrine which in other previous times no one knew anything about. That’s why Paul spoke of it as having been a mystery [MUSTERION = a secret], a secret to all who had gone before him.
1 Corinthians 11:1
1 Be ye followers of ME, even as I also am of Christ. [Emphasis added]
Paul’s words are not to be ignored! In fact, we are even told that if we’re to follow Christ today, we must learn about and follow the teachings of the apostle Paul, even giving them priority over all the other writings of Scripture.
1 Corinthians 14:37
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I [Paul] write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. [Emphasis added]
Paul’s teachings were Christ’s heavenly teachings to us rather than His earthly ones which were quite different from what had gone before. Does this mean that we’re to ignore everything that’s said in what’s called “the Old Testament”? Of course not! There are many principles there that need to be learned and applied. That would include all the many things there that are consistent with the apostle Paul’s teaching.
Romans 15:4
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. [Emphasis added]
For more information about this, please see my articles about it. Here are the links to two of them—
Gospel: Is OUR gospel in “the four gospels”?
Gospel: Where did the apostle Paul get the one he preached?
Again, Paul’s gospel came to him and now to us through Christ’s heavenly ministry, rather than His earthly one.
2 Corinthians 5:15-16
15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh [speaking of Christ’s earthly ministry rather than His heavenly one that was made known to us through the revelation and writings of the apostle Paul]: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. [Emphasis added]
It is through Christ’s heavenly ministry and message that we’re given our gospel and the way of life we are to live as God’s people today. Quite contrary to popular opinion, our gospel is nowhere to be found in what are typically called the four gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. It is the apostle Paul that God used to provide our gospel for us today. This is why he even speaks of it as HIS gospel numerous times.
Romans 16:25
25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to MY gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, [Emphasis added]
Similar statements are mentioned elsewhere—Romans 2:16 and 2 Timothy 2:8. It is through believing Paul’s gospel message that people are saved today.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I [Paul] declare unto you the gospel WHICH I PREACHED unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: [Emphasis added]
This gospel message was never known until it was revealed through the apostle Paul. But to see how it was that this was prophesied “according to the scriptures,” please see my articles about this—
Salvation: Was Christ’s work to provide it prophesied?
Gospel: How did the prophets know our gospel?
The passage you’ll find in your Bible that specifically prohibits tattoos is this one—
Leviticus 19:28
28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord. [Emphasis added]
Apparently, these were practices of some people at that time even as they are today. They were also done then as something that was a part of their idolatrous practices of wordship. As one would expect, we’re to avoid certain practices of unbelievers. We’re commanded to refuse to identify ourselves with them.
2 Corinthians 6:16-17
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for YE are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. [Emphasis added]
Our bodies are the temples of God, the Holy Spirit who lives IN every believer in this present age of grace. As you can see in this epistle, even these very “carnal” Corinthian believers [1 Corinthians 3:1-3] were ALL indwelt with the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple [NAOS = sanctuary or shrine] of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile [PHTHEIRO = destroy by corrupting] the temple of God [one’s body], him shall God destroy [PHTHEIRO = destroy by corrupting]; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. [Emphasis added]
Again, 1 Corinthians 3:16
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple [NAOS = sanctuary or shrine] of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? [Emphasis added]
The great importance of this is seen in the fact that just three chapters later he says practically the same thing again. Here in this passage, he makes it clear that anything that hurts our body is to be avoided. It seems that principle would apply to a lot of things including tattoos because medical science recognizes several possible or potential health effects associated with them, including infections, allergic reactions, and the possibility of skin cancer or lymphoma.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 What? know ye not that your body [SOMA = body] is the temple [HIERON = temple, a sacred place] of the Holy Ghost [PNEUMA = spirit] which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
This clearly tells us that there’s a sense in which we really don’t own our body; it now belongs to our Lord and Savior. Therefore, the thinking of—“my body—my choice” or “my body—my life” is totally unacceptable to God.
20 For ye are bought with a price [speaking of the price of our redemption that was paid through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection]: therefore glorify God in your body [SOMA = body], and in your spirit [PNEUMA = spirit (our human spirit in this case)], WHICH ARE GOD’S. [Emphasis added]
Other principles that relate to the subject of tattoos and even many other things are these—
- Children are under the authority of their parents. Therefore, if the parents don’t want the tattoos, their policies should be honored. Tattoos born of rebellion are sinful.
Ephesians 6:1-2
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; [Emphasis added]
- Our decisions should always glorify God.
1 Corinthians 10:31
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. [Emphasis added]
- It is our inner beauty, our THINKING that’s to be our emphasis; not our outer appearance.
1 Peter 3:3-4
3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. [Emphasis added]
- We are to always be concerned about how our decisions will affect our representation of Christ as His ambassadors.
2 Corinthians 5:20
20 Now then WE are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. [Emphasis added]
Whatever one’s decision about tattoos, there needs to be confidence that it was the best one. Some things Paul says about eating meat that was sacrificed to idols relate to our subject of tattoos.
Romans 14:21-23
21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. [Emphasis added]
Again, recent studies have clearly shown [at the time I’m writing this in 2025] that tattoos can be quite harmful to one’s body. Hopefully through further studies medical science will lead us to know more about this.
Conclusion—
God has been gracious to give us all the freedom of choice about so many things. But for various reasons having tattoos is something every believer should reject. Both our life now as believers and our rewards in eternity will be determined by our decisions about such things.
Romans 14:11-12
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. [Emphasis added]
For more information about the rewards we should work to qualify for to enjoy in Heaven, please see my article about this—
Rewards: For what will God wish to reward you in eternity?
Always realize that decisions we make now will have long term consequences, even after we’ve stepped into eternity and the body we now occupy dies.
2 Corinthians 5:10
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. [Emphasis added]
Because our resurrection body will be like our Lord’s, I believe I can assure you that the new resurrection body God is going to give you won’t have any tattoos on it.
2 Corinthians 4:14
14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. [Emphasis added]
For the details we’ve been given about this new body we’ll have, please see my article about it—
Resurrection: What will your resurrection body be like?
Our new and perfect body is something every believer should look forward to having and enjoying forever.
