What the Bible Has

to Say About
HIV and AIDS
Despite the varied transmission and random nature of the disease, some Christians still remain
ambivalent about HIV and AIDS. So what guidance does the Bible give?

J udgm e n t o r A c c ident ?
The exodus followed a spectacular display of plagues that devastated the Egyptians who had
enslaved the Israelites (see Exodus, chapters 7–12). The reason for the plagues was simple:
“Pharaoh’s heart became hard” (7:13). The message was clear: Disobey God and you will suffer.
Using this as their biblical evidence, some Christians see HIV and AIDS as God’s curse. They claim
that by treating the disease, they are interfering with his justice.

But Jesus expressly denies the view that personal suffering is always due to personal sin. In
Luke 13:1–5, Jesus explains in the clearest possible terms that we can draw no conclusions
about a person’s previous behavior just because he or she has suffered or died in a massacre or
natural disaster.

When Jesus is asked why a man was born blind, he says that neither the man nor his parents are
to blame (see John 9:1–5); rather, he says, it is an opportunity for God’s love and power to be
displayed in the man’s life—and then Jesus restores the man’s sight.

In today’s blame culture, judging often comes instinctively. But Christians are not to judge (see
Matthew 7:1–5); instead, we are to care.

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T h e Cal l t o C o mpassio n
God loves the fallen world and all who are in it. Jesus illustrates God’s compassion. He touches
lepers, making himself “unclean,” when others shun them as if they have the plague (see Luke
5:12–13). He welcomes all kinds of outcasts (see 5:29–31).

When he sees a widow burying her son, who was her only means of support, “his heart went out
to her” (Luke 7:3). When he sees the hungry crowds, he feels compassion for them (see Mark 8:2).
He takes the role of a servant, not that of a master, and tells the disciples to do the same (see John
13:12–17).

The Apostles teach Christians to live out their faith through compassionate service. So they “gave
to anyone as he had need” (Acts 2:44–45) and pool resources so that “there were no needy persons
among them” (4:34–37).

Paul encourages practical compassion in the international church. His first mission is not to
evangelize but to take famine relief to Jerusalem (see Acts 11:27–30). He teaches Christian
responsibility for supporting others in need (see 2 Corinthians, chapters 8–9): We are not to stand
idly by watching others suffer.

B e in g a G o o d N eighbo r
Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan (see Luke 10:25–37) illustrates a practical demonstration of
his command to “do good to those who hate you” (6:27). The Samaritan’s offer to pay for further
treatment is an example of going the second mile (see Matthew 5:41). Christians are called to do
the same, and not to follow the world’s false belief that we should do good only to “our brothers”
or to those we think deserve it (see 5:43–47). Besides, the HIV and AIDS epidemic is decimating
Christians as well as the wider community.

It is also striking that the Samaritan asks no questions about why the man had been attacked. He
does not assume, as his own theology might have encouraged him to, that the victim must deserve
all he got. He simply bathes his wounds. And Jesus says, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37).

So, at the point of need, the cause of suffering is irrelevant. The problem itself must be addressed.

Scripture text taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright
©1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2008 by World Vision Resources, Mail Stop 321, P.O. Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063-9716,
253-815-3320, wvresources@worldvision.org. All rights reserved.

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 About World Vision
W o rld Vi s i o n i s a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to helping
children and their families break free from poverty. Our work is motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ. We
see a world where each child experiences “fullness of life” as described in John 10:10. And we know this can
be achieved only by addressing the problems of poverty and injustice in a holistic way. That’s how World
Vision is unique: We bring nearly sixty years of experience in three key areas needed to help children and
families thrive: emergency relief, long-term development, and advocacy. And we bring all of our skills across
many areas of expertise to each community we work in, enabling us to care for children’s physical, social,
emotional, and spiritual well-being.

W o rld Vi s i o n R es o u r c e s educates Christians about global poverty, inspires them to social justice,
and equips them with innovative resources to make a difference in the world. By developing biblically-based
materials for educators and ministry leaders on the causes and consequences of global poverty, World Vision
Resources supports the organizational mandate to move the church in the United States to more fully embrace
its biblical responsibility to serve the poor.

For more information about

our resources, contact:

World Vision Resources

www.worldvision.org
wvresources@worldvision.org

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