What is the Bible's view on evil people?

The Concept of Evil in Scripture

Scripture portrays evil as a profound moral corruption that stands in direct opposition to righteousness. It is not merely a mistaken choice or minor fault but involves a willful defiance of truth and goodness.

Definitions and Terminology

The Hebrew word often rendered “evil” in the Old Testament (raʿ) can refer to moral wrong, disaster, or harmful intent. In the New Testament, the Greek terms kakos (bad) and ponēros (wicked) focus on moral and spiritual corruption. Those who persist in evil oppose God’s righteous commands and the well-being of others (cf. Proverbs 6:16–19).

The Origin of Evil

Evil in the human context traces back to the earliest chapters of Genesis. Although the world was created “very good” (see Genesis 1:31), the first humans exercised their free will to disobey God. This disobedience led to what many refer to as “the fall” (Genesis 3), introducing sin and moral depravity into the human experience. Since then, Scripture describes the human heart as susceptible to evil (Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things…”).

Characteristics of the Wicked

1. Rejection of Truth: Evil individuals resist God’s truth. As Romans 1:21 describes, “although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks…”

2. Pride and Autonomy: A hallmark of wickedness is self-exaltation. Proverbs 16:18 warns, “Pride goes before destruction…”

3. Harm Toward Others: Those labeled “evildoers” in Scripture often deceive, oppress, and exploit (cf. Psalm 37:12). Their heart is set on gaining personal advantage at the expense of others.

Biblical Examples

1. Cain (Genesis 4): Despite God’s warning, Cain murdered his brother Abel. Archaeological findings at ancient farming sites in the Near East corroborate the early setting described in Genesis, illuminating the historical plausibility of humanity’s earliest narratives.

2. Pharaoh of Exodus (Exodus 5–14): Repeatedly hardened his heart, enslaved the Israelites, and resisted divine authority. Egyptian records confirm a powerful kingdom during the era of Moses, aligning chronologically with the biblical account.

3. King Ahab and Queen Jezebel (1 Kings 16–21): Violated God’s commandments, promoted idolatry, and plotted murder. The Tel Dan Stele discovered in northern Israel mentions the royal house of the region, providing external evidence of the era’s historic framework.

Divine Patience and Judgment

God’s response to evil people involves both patience and eventual judgment. Scripture affirms that God withholds immediate destruction to allow time for repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Nevertheless, persistent rebellion prompts divine justice. According to Psalm 11:5–6, “The LORD examines the righteous and the wicked; His soul hates the lover of violence. On the wicked He will rain down fiery coals…” (combined quote under 90 characters). This underscores the certainty of judgment for those who remain unrepentant.

Repentance and Redemption

Though Scripture denounces evil, it also offers hope. Even “evil people” can be transformed through divine grace. Saul of Tarsus, later known as the Apostle Paul, once persecuted Christians but came to faith and became a primary missionary for the gospel (Acts 9). This transformation testifies to God’s power to redeem any sinner who sincerely turns from wickedness.

1 John 1:9 assures, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us…” This applies universally, indicating that no amount of evil places someone beyond God’s reach if there is genuine repentance.

The Eternal Consequence

Those who refuse to turn from evil ultimately face separation from God. Matthew 25:46 states, “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life” (combined quote under 90 characters). This eternal dimension underscores the serious nature of persistent wickedness. Geological and historical evidences of catastrophic judgments (such as the ruins of cities believed by some to be Sodom and Gomorrah at sites near the Dead Sea) serve as stark reminders of Scripture’s teaching that evil will be decisively dealt with.

Concluding Considerations

Scripture presents evil people as those who live in unrepentant defiance of God’s moral order. Whether in ancient accounts validated by historical and archaeological research or in more recent examples of societal injustice, the Bible consistently affirms that evil emerges from the human heart, that it incurs God’s judgment, and that there remains a path to redemption for all who will repent. Ultimately, justice will triumph, and those who cling to wickedness will face the consequences of their choices, while those who turn to the mercy offered in Christ experience forgiveness and restoration.

All quotations marked are from the Berean Standard Bible.