Does the Bible say anything about karma?

from the old testament

• Isaiah 64:6 says, "We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment." Human works, no matter how "good," cannot earn favor with God.
• The Bible affirms that actions have consequences, but it does not teach karma. Job 4:8 observes, "As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same."
• While actions have consequences, biblical rewards are ultimately tied to God’s will and grace. Proverbs 11:18 reads, "The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward."
• Ecclesiastes 12:14: "For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil." Judgment is based on God’s authority, not a cosmic system like karma.

from the new testament

• In Luke 6:37–38, Jesus teaches that forgiving and giving lead to blessings, emphasizing relational reciprocity under God’s sovereignty: "For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."
• The Bible does not teach karma, which in Eastern religions refers to the belief that good or bad actions influence one’s future lives or circumstances. Instead, it teaches that God is sovereign, and individuals are accountable to Him for their actions, with ultimate judgment and reward determined by His righteousness and grace (Galatians 6:7-8; Romans 14:12).
• Jesus acknowledges cause and effect when He says, "For all who take the sword will perish by the sword" (Matthew 26:52), and Galatians 6:7 reminds believers, "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." Despite these parallels, biblical teaching diverges sharply from karma.
• According to karma, a person’s good or bad actions determine their future fortune or misfortune, often across lifetimes. In contrast, the Bible reveals that all people are sinners deserving of death (Romans 6:23). Any good fortune or blessing we experience comes not from our deeds but from God’s grace.
• Ephesians 2:8–9 affirms that salvation is "not a result of works, so that no one may boast," opposing the works-based concept of karma.
• 2 Corinthians 5:17–21: Through Jesus, believers are made new creations and reconciled to God, receiving His righteousness rather than reaping the penalty of their sins.
• Scripture clearly rejects reincarnation, stating in Hebrews 9:27, "It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment." Human destiny is determined in this life, not through endless cycles of rebirth.

implications for today

The idea of karma appeals to a desire for justice and control, but it ultimately offers a false hope. The Bible reveals that humans cannot earn their way to God or control their destinies through good deeds. Scripture emphasizes God’s sovereignty, stating that human destiny is determined in this life, not through reincarnation. True hope lies in the grace of God through Jesus Christ. For Christians, understanding these distinctions equips them to respond to karma’s popularity in a world hungry for justice and meaning. Believers can point to the gospel as the ultimate answer: God, in His love, extends grace to sinners, offering reconciliation and eternal life through faith in Christ. As Philippians 2:13 reminds us, "It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure," showing that any good we do is ultimately God’s work in us.