The saying “man’s inhumanity to man” refers to cruel, brutal, and harmful acts that human beings inflict upon one another. It speaks to the capacity for evil that exists within mankind when we fail to follow God’s laws and morality. The Bible has much to say about why humans harm each other and how we ought to treat our fellow man.
At the root of cruelty toward others is sin – the fundamental human problem. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), sin entered the world and corrupted human nature. We lost the original righteousness in which humanity was created, and it was replaced with a propensity toward sinful desires and evil deeds (Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9). Ever since, “the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (Genesis 8:21). Sin wrecks our relationships – turning people against God and each other in selfishness and pride.
The Bible teaches that various sinful attitudes lead to harming others. Greed and covetousness cause us to exploit others for material gain (Proverbs 1:19). Hate and anger make us lash out in violence (Proverbs 10:12). Envy and jealousy move us to destroy what others have (Galatians 5:21). Arrogance and pride lead us to elevate ourselves over others as superior (Proverbs 16:18). Prejudice and bigotry cause us to deny human dignity based on race, gender, or ethnicity (Acts 17:26). Indifference and apathy allow us to ignore the suffering of others (1 John 3:17). When sin reigns unchecked in the human heart, the consequences collectively amount to man’s inhumanity to man.
From the very beginning, starting with Cain murdering Abel (Genesis 4:1-8), Scripture contains many examples of people grievously mistreating others. Widespread violence filled the earth prior to the Flood in Noah’s day (Genesis 6:11-13). During the time of the Judges, “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” as society descended into moral chaos (Judges 17:6; 21:25). The books of the prophets chronicle how the leaders and people of Israel perpetrated gross injustice and oppression of the weak and helpless (Isaiah 1:21-23; Ezekiel 22:29). Even in the New Testament, mob violence leads to the wrongful crucifixion of Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:57-68). The Bible makes it abundantly clear that cruelty and evil have plagued humanity in all eras.
Why does God allow evil and suffering when He has the power to stop it? The Lord currently permits man’s inhumanity to man because of His patience and mercy. He desires all people to repent of their sins and be saved from His coming judgment (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4). However, He will not allow injustice forever. The Bible warns that God will exercise perfect justice on the day of judgment, punishing the wicked and delivering the righteous (Revelation 20:11-15). At that time, God will wipe away every tear and make all things new, with no more sin or suffering forever (Revelation 21:1-5). Until then, believers are called to combat evil by pursuing justice, loving others, and sharing the gospel that can transform hearts.
The Bible sets forth God’s standards for how human beings ought to treat one another. We are commanded to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:39). We should do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others more significant than ourselves (Philippians 2:3). God’s people must promote justice for the vulnerable and voiceless (Psalm 82:3-4; Proverbs 31:8-9). We are obligated to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and care for the sick and imprisoned (Matthew 25:31-46). Forgiveness and mercy should temper strict justice when possible (Micah 6:8; Matthew 5:7). Living out these biblical principles in a fallen world is the only antidote to man’s inhumanity to man.
Jesus Christ modeled the perfect example of love, humility, justice, and mercy during His life on earth. Though despised and rejected by men, He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil (Acts 10:38). Christ loved sinners, ate with tax collectors, elevated the status of women, touched lepers, and welcomed children. He chose sacrificial death on the cross for the benefit of evildoers who deserved punishment (Romans 5:6-8). After being tortured and mocked by heartless men, Jesus exemplified the highest righteousness by praying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Those transformed by God’s love are enabled to transcend man’s inhumanity to man.
The church is called to be the embodiment of Christ through the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Christians are to spread His love to a hostile world through acts of service, mercy, justice, preaching the gospel, making disciples, and modeling godly lives. We overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21) and are peacemakers who turn enemies into brothers (Matthew 5:9, 44). Though the world abounds with man’s inhumanity to man, the Bible promises that the meek shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). In God’s kingdom, the last shall be first as God exalts the humble (Matthew 20:16, 23:11-12). Empowered by His Spirit, the church shines light into the darkness through word and deed.
Man’s inhumanity to man will be a tragic reality of human civilization until Christ returns. Yet rather than despair, Christians have hope of a glorious future when God Himself will wipe away every tear and abolish mourning, crying, and pain (Revelation 21:4). Until then, we are exhorted to overcome evil with good, be peacemakers, care for the suffering, confront injustice, and model the love of Christ in a broken world. Though the effects of the Fall have corrupted mankind with a capacity for evil, the gospel provides the remedy to heal people’s hearts and build a society that honors human dignity.
The Bible provides hope that humanity’s cycle of violence, oppression, and injustice will not continue indefinitely. Evil exists now, but God promises that a day is coming when “justice will roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24). The Lord Jesus Christ will return to abolish all wickedness, punish evildoers, and establish His righteous rule on the earth. At that time, “the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9). When Jesus returns, there will be no more man’s inhumanity to man – only the justice, peace, and love of life under Christ’s glorious reign.
In summary, the saying “man’s inhumanity to man” reflects the human capacity for evil since the Fall corrupted human nature with sinful tendencies. Greed, hate, prejudice, indifference, and pride all contribute to people harming each other. God permits man’s inhumanity for a time, but will ultimately judge it justly. The Bible commands us to love others, pursue justice, show mercy, and live humble lives. Christ modeled the perfect example to transcend man’s inhumanity through His sacrificial love. The church is called to follow Christ’s pattern as we await His return to abolish evil forever. Even amid suffering and injustice now, we have hope of God’s coming kingdom of perfect righteousness on earth.
