The Bible’s opinion on corona and the vaccine is a delicate topic. Opinions vary widely as Christians debate whether or not they should get vaccinated. In my opinion, the Bible does have something to say about our current situation, as I will explain in this blog post.
From the camp of the unvaccinated, names of famous personalities get fired into the air as suspected masterminds behind the whole thing. Bible verses get quoted and thrown at the opponents. But some build their position on purely medical grounds.
The vaccinated camp dismisses the opposing side as crazy conspiracy theorists and unreasonable people who endanger the general health of society. Moreover, medical arguments get invalidated.
Referring to the biblical arguments, both sides agree on one point: The respective other side misinterprets the Bible. At least something. 🙂
One week ago, I published a post about the vaccination on my German Instagram page @seinwortmeinlicht. I argued that the debate among Christians should not lead to divisions:
Paul repeatedly emphasized the importance of unity in the church. Several times he tried to ward off looming divisions and pointed believers to what is at stake: Christ. Unity in him. ⠀
I find one particular verse very pertinent to our situation today:⠀
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28
Today we don’t differentiate between Jews and Greeks or slaves and free in the church. But at that time, believers from diverse backgrounds met at church. Paul repeatedly admonished them that they had only one identity; that in Christ.⠀
I think Paul would write the following line to us today, “There is neither a vaccinated person nor an unvaccinated person. You are all one in Christ Jesus.”⠀
Have your own opinion, but let’s not lose sight of the most important thing while debating: We are all one. It’s all about Jesus.
After I published my post on Instagram, the comments piled up in no time. My original goal was to use Paul’s thoughts to move us believers toward unity. Many readers commented sweetly and constructively. I loved that.
However, some took my words as an opportunity to engage in heated, even toxic, discussions. Instead of responding to the call to refocus us on Christ, they went after their opponents.
To be honest, I felt a little bit like Paul. There I was, talking about unity and wanting to point people to Christ, but somehow it didn’t get through to everyone. Poor Paul! I can’t imagine how hurt Jesus must be to see his people divided and hostile. What about the command to love one another? Where is unity lived out despite differences of opinion?
I believe Paul would have cared about the vaccine as much as he cared about the food sacrificed to idols (1. Corinthians 8). The church at Corinth asked the apostle Paul if they’re allowed to eat the meat that was previously sacrificed to other gods. At first, Paul addresses that there are no other gods than the one God (verses 4-6). In doing so, he especially urges the “strong” in the faith to be considerate of the “weak” and accept that they do not want to eat the meat sacrificed to idols because of their conscience. (I highly recommend reading through 1 Corinthians 8 a few times).
In conclusion, Paul explained that both are allowed: Eating food sacrificed to idols or abstaining from it. Food has nothing to do with how we stand before God (verses 7-8).
I can imagine that Paul would argue similarly today. Whether we get the vaccine or not has nothing to do with how we stand before God. It is much more important that we take care of one another and live in love.
Paul even goes a step further in 1 Corinthians 9. He, who is free, made himself a slave to all (verse 19). To the Jews he became a Jew, to the weak he became weak, all in order to win as many as possible for Christ (verses 20-22). In other words, Paul adapted. Instead of arguing aggressively for or against the vaccination, he would have radically subordinated the issue to Christ.
Of course, it is pure speculation what exactly Paul would have done in our situation. But I can imagine that the matter itself, namely the vaccination, did not play the main role for him. Definitely, I stand on solid biblical ground when I say that Paul favors unity over division, exhorts us to be considerate and love one another, as well as tries to refocus our gaze on what truly matters: Jesus. We are all one in Christ Jesus.
Dear brothers and sisters, I know that this topic arouses many feelings. Paul would certainly advise us to go to God with our emotions and pray for those who disagree rather than attack them. Let’s keep the love commandment in mind. It is all about Jesus.
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7 replies on “Paul’s opinion on the vaccination”
The focus is about Christ. We shouldn’t accept division but unity.
Whether we take the vaccine or not, is a personal choice, and it does not give others permission to attack out of fear.
We have to commit our egos, pride, and selfishness lay it at the Lords feet. Stand firm in our faith. Stop forcing and manipulating others. God has the final say.
Amen
jawol so ist es ob geimpft oder nicht
jesus christus soll und bleibt das zentrum
danke für diesen blog👍🏻😃🕊🙂
liebe grüsse
sandy
Hey sister,
I refuse to follow the vax’d, non-vax’d issue-it’s nonsense!
The devil distracts, divides & destroys.
I pray the hearts of many would surrender to the TRUTH…the gospel. 🙏🏽
Thank you for your sharing.
Hallo Madeleine
vielleicht sollten sich Christen die Frage stellen,
wie ihr Verhalten sich auf Gottes Namen auswirkt.
vielleicht sollten wir andere weniger richten
und mehr Mitgefühl zeigen.
vielleicht sollten wir uns Gedanken machen,
wie wir die freie Gabe der Liebe fördern können,
statt dem anderen zu unterwerfen oder aufzudrängen.
So würden wir das Leid nicht mehren, sondern mindern,
insbesondere auch untereinander.
Very beautifully written Madeline! And I think that is how Paul would have responded-vaccinated or not-vaccinated, we are all one in Christ🙏🏾🙏🏾 Thank you for this reminder.
Danke für diese Gedanken und Hinweise,
spricht weder für oder gegen die Impfung, sondern PRO Jesus und die Liebe, für die wir aufgefordert sind mit dem wichtigsten Gebot 🙏🙂
Beautiful commentary. Yes, it’s about Jesus and letting His love flow through us to others. I think love means respecting others even though we may not agree with them. We so need to show compassion, especially if we are followers of the Lord Jesus. Thank you so much for sharing this! As a Christian and a highly sensitive person, it is so distressing to see the war that has erupted over this. I pray God will bind us more closely to Himelf and to one another!