As Christians, understanding what the Bible says about food, including pork, can help us discern God’s will through both Old and New Testament teachings. In the Old Covenant, certain foods, such as pork, were considered unclean. However, in the New Covenant through Christ, believers are no longer bound by ceremonial food laws. Instead, the focus is on the heart, conscience, and giving thanks to God. These verses explore what Scripture teaches about pork and how believers are to approach such topics in light of God’s grace and truth.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Food We Should Not Eat
Pork as Unclean in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, God gave dietary laws to Israel for health, holiness, and distinction from other nations. Pork was clearly categorized as unclean, and consuming it was forbidden. These laws symbolized spiritual purity and obedience, serving as a shadow of the greater cleansing that would come through Christ.
Leviticus 11:7-8
“The pig has evenly split hooves but does not chew the cud, so it is unclean. You may not eat the meat of these animals or even touch their carcasses. They are ceremonially unclean for you.”
Deuteronomy 14:8
“The pig has evenly split hooves but does not chew the cud, so it is unclean. You may not eat the meat of these animals or even touch their dead bodies.”
Isaiah 65:4
“They sit among the graves and spend the night in secret places. They eat the flesh of pigs and make stews with other forbidden foods.”
Isaiah 66:17
“Those who ‘consecrate’ and ‘purify’ themselves in a sacred garden with its idol in the center—feasting on pork and rats and other detestable meats—will come to a terrible end,” says the Lord.”
Leviticus 20:25
“You must therefore make a distinction between ceremonially clean and unclean animals… You must not defile yourselves by eating any unclean creature or animal.”
New Covenant Freedom Through Christ
With the coming of Jesus Christ, the ceremonial laws—including dietary restrictions—were fulfilled. Believers are no longer under the old law but are invited to live by the Spirit. Christ declared all foods clean, shifting the focus from outward rules to inward righteousness.
Mark 7:18-19
“Don’t you understand either?” he asked. “Can’t you see that the food you put into your body cannot defile you? Food doesn’t go into your heart, but only passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer.” (By saying this, he declared that every kind of food is acceptable in God’s eyes.)”
Acts 10:13-15
“Then a voice said to him, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat them.’ ‘No, Lord,’ Peter declared. ‘I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure and unclean.’ But the voice spoke again: ‘Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.'”
Romans 14:14
“I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong.”
Colossians 2:16
“So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths.”
1 Timothy 4:4-5
“Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.”
Freedom with Responsibility
While we are free in Christ, the Bible teaches us to use that freedom wisely and lovingly. If our eating offends another believer or causes them to stumble in their faith, we are encouraged to prioritize love over liberty. Our actions should reflect Christ’s love above personal preference.
1 Corinthians 10:23
“You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’—but not everything is good for you. You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’—but not everything is beneficial.”
Romans 14:20
“Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble.”
1 Corinthians 8:9
“But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble.”
Romans 14:21
“It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble.”
Galatians 5:13
“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.”
God Looks at the Heart
In the New Testament, Jesus emphasized that what defiles a person comes from within—not from food or physical consumption. God examines our hearts and motives. It’s not what we eat that makes us righteous or sinful, but the condition of our inner lives before Him.
Matthew 15:11
“It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”
Romans 14:17
“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
1 Samuel 16:7
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height… The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'”
Titus 1:15
“Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted.”
Matthew 23:25-26
“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees… You are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence!”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Overeating
Giving Thanks in All Things
Whether eating pork or any other food, Scripture encourages us to give thanks to God. A grateful heart acknowledges God’s provision and grace. When we receive food with thanksgiving and faith, it becomes holy and pleasing to God.
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Psalm 107:9
“For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”
Acts 27:35
“Then he took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and broke off a piece and ate it.”
Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”
Respecting Convictions and Conscience
While we are free in Christ, the Bible encourages us to respect the conscience of others. If a fellow believer is convicted not to eat pork, we are to honor that. Unity in the body of Christ comes from love, patience, and mutual respect—even in matters of personal conviction.
Romans 14:5
“In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable.”
Romans 14:3
“Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them.”
Romans 14:22
“You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right.”
1 Corinthians 10:28
“(But suppose someone tells you, ‘This meat was offered to an idol.’ Don’t eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you.)”
Philippians 2:4
“Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”
Living by Grace, Not Legalism
The New Testament emphasizes that salvation and righteousness come by grace through faith in Jesus Christ—not through observing the law, including dietary rules. While the Old Testament laws had a purpose, Christ fulfilled them. As believers, we are called to live in the freedom of the Spirit, not under the burdens of legalism. However, our freedom should be exercised with wisdom, respect for others’ convictions, and in a way that honors God. These verses highlight how believers are to live by grace and not be bound by food laws, including those related to pork.
Galatians 5:1
“So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.”
Romans 6:14
“Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.”
Galatians 2:16
“Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law…”
Colossians 2:20-21
“You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, ‘Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!’?”
Hebrews 13:9
“So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.”