What the Bible Says About Core Values

What is Biblical Values?

Biblical values are the ethical and spiritual principles rooted in Scripture that shape the character and actions of believers, reflecting God’s priorities for justice, love, and holiness.

These values are explicitly outlined in passages like Micah 6:8, which calls for acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God, and Leviticus 19:18, which commands love for one’s neighbor as oneself. Unlike transient cultural norms, biblical values derive from God’s unchanging nature and serve as a standard for moral living. They emphasize relational integrity, selflessness, and alignment with divine truth over societal approval.

Scriptural foundations for these values are woven throughout both Testaments, from the Ten Commandments to Jesus’ teachings on the Kingdom of Heaven. Cultural values, by contrast, often shift with historical context and human consensus, whereas biblical values remain anchored in revelation. This distinction ensures that believers prioritize eternal principles over ephemeral trends, fostering a life marked by faithfulness to God’s Word and compassion for others.

Micah 6:8 and the Heart of Biblical Values

Micah 6:8—'He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God'—condenses the essence of biblical values into three interrelated imperatives.

This verse distills the Old Testament's ethical vision by framing divine expectations as relational and practical. 'Acting justly' (justice as fairness and societal righteousness) reflects God's concern for the marginalized, seen in Exodus 23:6 and Isaiah 1:17. 'Loving mercy' (hesed, or steadfast covenant love) mirrors God's own character, as in Psalm 103:8. The emphasis on 'walking humbly with God' underscores that ethical living is inseparable from spiritual posture, resisting pride that distorts justice and mercy.

Together, these values form a holistic framework where human responsibility and divine relationship intersect. They prepare readers to explore how New Testament teachings reorient but do not replace these foundational commitments.

Core Teachings of Biblical Values

Building on Micah 6:8’s call to justice, mercy, and humility, the Old Testament anchors biblical values in concrete ethical imperatives that shape communal and individual life.

Leviticus 19:18’s command to love one’s neighbor as oneself establishes relational reciprocity as a cornerstone, while Proverbs 31:8-9 charges advocates to speak up for the voiceless and protect the vulnerable. Deuteronomy 7:9 further grounds these values in God’s covenantal faithfulness, emphasizing that divine loyalty to His people must inspire human steadfastness in upholding these principles. Together, these teachings form a network of moral responsibility that intertwines personal holiness with societal justice.

These values are not isolated duties but interconnected facets of God’s redemptive design. Their consistency across covenants prepares the way for Jesus’ reorientation of these commitments in the New Testament, where love for God and neighbor becomes the ultimate summary of the Law (Matthew 22:37-39).

Why Biblical Values Matters Today

Biblical values remain vital today as they address contemporary challenges through timeless principles rooted in divine character.

In modern ethical dilemmas, passages like Micah 6:8 ('act justly, love mercy, walk humbly') provide a framework for balancing societal justice and personal integrity, whether in debates over economic equity or interpersonal conflicts. These values also shape personal relationships by prioritizing selfless love (Leviticus 19:18) over transactional self-interest, fostering trust and reconciliation. Furthermore, they undergird societal structures by calling institutions to protect the vulnerable, as seen in Proverbs 31:8-9's mandate to advocate for the voiceless.

By anchoring ethics in God's unchanging nature (Deuteronomy 7:9), biblical values offer a transcendent standard that resists cultural relativism, guiding both individual conscience and collective governance. This enduring relevance prepares readers to explore how New Testament teachings refine and renew these commitments in Christ.

Going Deeper

To deepen your understanding of biblical values, consider exploring key New Testament teachings that build on these foundational principles.

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) redefines justice, mercy, and humility, emphasizing inner transformation over external compliance, while Paul’s letters (e.g., Romans 12–15) apply these values to community life and personal ethics. For further study, consult N.T. Wright’s commentary on Micah, Walter Brueggemann’s *The Theology of the Old Testament*, or the ESV Study Bible’s notes on Micah 6:8.