Did Rahab the Prostitute Lie?

Rahab is listed in Hebrews 11 as a great example of faith.

But wait—didn’t she lie? And wasn’t she a prostitute?

Yes… and yes.

That’s a hangup for a lot of people. The primary story we have of Rahab the prostitute in the Bible is one where she lies to help God’s people. So why was she praised? Were the lies justified because they helped Israel? Do the ends justify the means?

Let’s take a closer look.

What About Lying?

The Bible is crystal clear that lying is a sin:

• Exodus 20:16 – “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

• Proverbs 12:22 – “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.”

• Psalm 101:7 – “No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.”

• Ephesians 4:25 – “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor.”

• Revelation 21:8 – “All liars… their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur.”

There’s no way around it — lying is condemned throughout Scripture.

What About Prostitution?

Likewise, prostitution is consistently condemned:

• Leviticus 19:29 – “Do not profane your daughter by making her a prostitute…”

• Deuteronomy 23:17–18 – “None of the daughters of Israel shall be a cult prostitute…”

• Proverbs 6:26 – “For by means of a prostitute a man is reduced to a loaf of bread…”

• Hosea 4:11–12 – “A spirit of whoredom has led them astray, and they have left their God to play the whore.”

Scripture leaves no question: prostitution, like lying, is sin.

So How Could Rahab Be Praised?

Hebrews 11 highlights examples of great faith, not perfect faithfulness. There’s a difference.

Someone can believe in God’s power and truth (have faith) without yet living faithfully toward Him. That belief doesn’t make them righteous—it simply begins the journey.

James explains it clearly:

James 2:14, 17 – “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?... So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

Rahab’s faith moved her to act. She believed God was real and sided with His people. That was her first step of faith in action—but it didn’t mean she was instantly righteous in every area of life. Her lie wasn’t excused; her belief was recognized.

Faith That Leads to Obedience

Faith is the seed; obedience is the fruit. Rahab’s faith would need to grow into a faithful, obedient life to be right before God.

Romans 6:1–2 – “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?”

God’s grace never excuses sin—it calls us out of it. Rahab’s belief in God was the start of her transformation, not the end of it.

Why This Matters

Rahab’s story isn’t about justifying sin. It’s about how God can begin His work in anyone, no matter their past. Her faith was the spark that set her on a new path—a path that led her to become part of God’s people and even part of the lineage of Christ (Matthew 1:5).

Jesus often recognized faith before full obedience.

All throughout His ministry, Jesus met people at the beginning of faith — not the finish line. He often praised belief even in those who hadn’t yet fully turned their lives around. Their faith opened the door for grace to begin its transforming work.

1. The Centurion’s Great Faith (Matthew 8:5–13; Luke 7:1–10)

A Roman centurion — a Gentile soldier, not a follower of God’s law — came to Jesus asking for his servant to be healed. He believed that Jesus could heal just by speaking a word.

Jesus said, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.” (Matthew 8:10)

This man likely knew little about obedience to God or Jewish righteousness, yet Jesus marveled at his faith. His belief came before knowledge or transformation. Those would be required of him later, but had likely not yet occured.

2. The Woman With the Issue of Blood (Mark 5:25–34)

For twelve years this woman had suffered from bleeding, making her ceremonially unclean under Jewish law. She wasn’t supposed to be in the crowd, much less touch anyone. But she believed that if she could only touch Jesus’ garment, she would be healed.

Jesus said, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” (Mark 5:34)

Her faith defied social and religious barriers. She was still unclean and outside the covenant community, yet Jesus honored the faith that reached toward Him.

Closing Thought

Rahab’s story teaches us that faith is where transformation begins, not where it ends. She believed—and that belief led her to act. But her lie and her past were still sins that needed to be left behind. God doesn’t glorify sin; He redeems sinners.