Congress continues to reveal more of the Epstein files; What should Christians make of them?

One of the most talked-about bits of news in recent years has been the release of the Epstein files. The information within those files could reveal the biggest American scandal in recent memory, and the FBI has released millions of pages of documents. There are accusations in those files against countless influential people across the world. But what should Christians think about the Epstein files?

Nearly every adult in the United States is familiar with the name Jeffrey Epstein and the atrocities that he committed.

The now-deceased former financial advisor was arrested in 2005 for sexual abuse of minors. However, he faced minimal jail time due to a light, 18-month sentence and extensive work release. Epstein had to register as a sex offender at the time.

If his initial arrest and insufficient punishment weren't bad enough, in 2019, Epstein was arrested again when more information became known. This time, his charges also included conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and sex trafficking of minors and carried up to 45 years in prison. He reportedly hung himself in his prison cell later in 2019, but many have doubted that report, and the "proof" provided by the FBI in 2025 was a video missing over a minute of its recording.

During his life, Epstein was a well-known party host and used his wealth and social status to develop a massive network of friends and associates, many of whom were rich and famous. Some of those relationships ended with his first arrest; some did not. Because of that, there has been significant speculation that some of these associates were involved in Epstein's disgusting operation. Adding to that speculation, public figures have been included in legal and law enforcement documents related to Epstein. Some of these documents include email correspondence with Epstein, law enforcement evidence, vetted testimony, non-vetted testimony, and even some Epstein property like photos, videos, contact books, etc.

Epstein's primary co-conspirator and co-trafficker, Ghislaine Maxwell, was arrested in 2020. She has gone back and forth with her willingness to testify and name names. Most recently, she has said she would continue to exercise her Fifth Amendment rights unless given clemency.

Leading up to the 2024 election, one of President Donald Trump's campaign promises was a declassification of these "Epstein files." Following the start of his second term, Trump seemed to waver a bit on that promise but eventually signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act into law. Even so, the files were only partially released, and the ones that were released were done so in a heavily redacted way. Many names—not just of alleged victims but of alleged individuals involved in criminal activity—were blacked out.

Pressure mounted from the public and from politicians on both sides of the political aisle for the Trump Administration to fully release the Epstein files and pursue investigations and/or criminal charges against all involved parties. Last weekend, Congress received an even further unredacted set of documents.

This article will seek to look at some facts and observations about the Epstein files and scandal, compare and contrast what the American Left and American Right have said, and, most importantly, examine what the Bible teaches that can help Christians consider what to think about the Jeffrey Epstein situation.

Facts and observations about the Epstein Files

• Since his second arrest in 2019, the "Epstein files" have slowly found their way to the public, first in the form of speculation and leaks and then, in recent months, in semi-public (albeit redacted) releases. Congress has also shared some information contained within, as they have access to more information than the public.
• Last week, Congress received the least-redacted version of the files yet. Then, over the weekend, they received another set of documents with even fewer redactions.
• A seemingly never-ending list of names continues to surface from the Epstein files. These names range from individuals mentioned only by name in the files to individuals with strong evidence against them of criminal misconduct to individuals who have been involved with conducting the Epstein investigations.
  • Notably, Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, former English Prince Andrew (Duke of York), former Apollo Global Management CEO Leon Black, former Barclays Executive Jes Staley, disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein, actor and film maker Woody Allen, rapper and music executive Shawn Carter AKA "Jay-Z", and illusionist David Copperfield have been mentioned repeatedly as names that are featured throughout the Epstein files.
    • The former Prince Andrew has since been arrested by British authorities for "suspicion of misconduct in public office." The charges and ongoing investigation are directly related to his heavy involvement in the Epstein documents. He had his relationship with the British royal family stripped in 2025 over his connections to Epstein.
• Goldman Sachs lawyer Kathy Ruemmler, DP World Chairman and Chief Executive Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, high profile attorney Brad Karp, English Labour Party politician Lord Peter Mandelson, Slovakian national security adviser Miroslav Lajcak, Norwegian ex-ambassador to the Middle East Mona Juul, former Harvard President and Clinton-era Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, CBS News contributor David Protein, and Swedish UN official Joanna Rubinstein are among the prominent names who have resigned recently from their jobs, positions, and appointments due to their ties to Epstein.
  • These individuals represent affiliations with the Democratic Party in America, the Republican Party in America, news outlets, educational institutions, governments around the globe, and key financial and technological corporations worldwide.
• Current US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick recently said that he severed ties with Epstein in 2005 (the time of his first arrest). However, it has come to light that Lutnick planned to take his entire family to "Epstein Island" much more recently than that. He is facing loud calls for resignation.
• When the recent, less-redacted files were given to Congress, Pam Bondi's Justice Department monitored the search history of Congress. She revealed that fact during a hearing on February 11th, much to the outrage of many in the session that day.

What the Left says about the Epstein Files

The Left in America has mostly been aligned in demanding the release of the Epstein files, especially in recent months. Perhaps the greatest Democrat-led critiques have been directed at President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and FBI Director Kash Patel.

• Like their Republican counterparts, American Democrats were not quick enough in pushing for the full release of the Epstein files. However, unlike some conservative politicians, that changed over time.
• Maryland Representative Jamie Raskin has criticized the slow rollout of information, calling it a "cover-up."
• California Representatives Ro Khanna and Robert Garcia have demanded a full release, saying that the manner in which the Epstein files have been handled has been a "shield" to powerful, corrupt individuals and a "failure" to victims.
• Illinois Senator Dick Durbin went as far as to say that Republicans voting to delay or prevent the release were going against the will of the American people.
• During various Congressional hearings, Democrats have accused both Bondi and Patel of lying under oath. Bondi denied the Epstein files contained any evidence (not any good evidence, just any evidence at all) that Donald Trump had committed a crime. Patel declared that the FBI had no files that showed Jeffrey Epstein trafficked girls and/or women to anyone but himself.
• Liberal sentiment has also included an almost universal opinion that the government has intentionally silenced victims. There has been considerable condemnation of the inconsistent manner in which names have been redacted or made public throughout the process and the lack of accountability for decision-makers' failures.

What the Right says about the Epstein Files

Republican politicians in America are now mostly aligned in demanding the release of the Epstein files, but that is a fairly new party sentiment. Some prominent conservatives still argue that the files should not be fully released, for various reasons. An even larger number on the Right were opposed to the release early on, putting the Republicans in Congress behind the Democrats in that regard.

• While ranks from the Republicans and Democrats positioned themselves against releasing the Epstein files in the beginning, liberals shifted to a pro-release stance more quickly than conservatives. In fact, many on the Right voted against release as recently as September of 2025.
• To be fair to many within the GOP, North Carolina Representative Virginia Foxx explained that there was a much greater behind-the-scenes level of support for file release but that many simply had an issue with the timing and/or method of the proposed release.
• Some Republicans, most notably President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pam Pondi, and FBI Director Kash Patel, have been saying for months that they think Americans should move on from the Epstein files, labeling certain parts of the scandal as a "hoax" or "nothing." Drawing much bipartisan criticism, they have said that US citizens should pay more attention to the improving stock market than to the Epstein files. Trump has repeatedly compared the Epstein scandal and, particularly, his name being in the files, to the Russian Collusion Hoax of 2016. He has also called it "a scam."
• Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie, South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace, Colorado Representative Lauren Boebert, and former Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (who resigned in January after a public falling out with President Trump) were some of the most prominent Republicans calling for release.
• Louisiana Representative Clay Higgins was the only person to vote against the release in the most recent vote. He argued that the inclusion of non-involved individuals in the files alongside the guilty would "absolutely result in innocent people being hurt."
• Tennessee Representative Tim Burchett has declared that those proven to have dealt with Epstein should be "executed." He has also stated that he thinks these same people could have Ghislaine Maxwell "shot in the back of the head" to help continue a greater Epstein cover-up. Following the release of the most recent batch of less-redacted files, Burchett called the information contained within "satanic."

What the Bible says

The Bible has plenty to say that is relevant to this discussion. While "Jeffrey Epstein" doesn't appear in the pages of Scripture, Christians can glean more than enough from God's Word to develop strong opinions on what could be the biggest scandal in modern American history.

The exposure of evil is a good thing.

When evil deeds are left in the dark, they often continue, and perpetrators of wicked deeds can continue them without fear of earthly punishment. However, when they are brought to light, they are exposed to potential consequences.

This idea is extremely biblical.

First, nothing is secret from God. Because of that, everything wicked will eventually face consequences, either in this life or for eternity.

Hebrews 4:17 says, "And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." In Jeremiah 23:23-24, the Prophet relays the Word of the Lord, "Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord."

The Lord commands His people to bring what is dark into the light. A more transparent release of the Epstein files should help this happen.

In Ephesians 5:11, Paul writes, "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them." Aside from the obvious purpose of exposing sin to stop it, the Apostle also says a few verses later that it could serve as a means of redeeming that which was dark. In Ephesians 5:14, he references multiple passages from Isaiah when he writes, "for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it says, 'Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'"

Justice is important to God, and the Lord is described in Scripture as a "God of justice" (Isaiah 30:18) and as a King who loves justice (Isaiah 61:8). As such, He commands His people to seek justice and act justly (Micah 6:8). This includes, as Hebrews 4 shows, eternal justice. Every person will be confronted by God with their sin. Romans 2:5-6 says, "But because of your hard and impenitent heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works."

It is undoubtedly a good thing that Jeffrey Epstein's crimes (and the crimes of many others) have been made public knowledge. "For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest" (Luke 8:17a).

Any involvement in Jeffrey Epstein's trafficking or abuse of children is reprehensible to God and should result in severe consequences. It is also worth mentioning the Lord's command to look after the vulnerable.

It should be apparent that Christians must condemn sexual abuse, exploitation, and trafficking of all kinds. Perhaps in an even greater sense, the people of God must oppose those crimes when children are the ones being hurt.

To be clear, sexually abusing children or trafficking children to be sexually abused is the type of sin that is a profound violation of God's created order. Those behaviors are evil, both in conduct against image-bearers of God and in rebellion against God's natural design of adults looking after and protecting children.

Demonstrating the Lord's special attention to the care of children, Matthew quotes Jesus in Matthew 18:5-6, "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." Psalm 127:3 also calls children "a heritage from the Lord" and a "reward."

Psalm 82:3 ("Defend the weak") and Proverbs 31:8 ("Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves") express related thoughts.

Under the Mosaic Law in Exodus 21:16, kidnappers (and trafficking of children certainly could be viewed as kidnapping) were put to death. A similar punishment is laid out in Deuteronomy 22 for sexual abuse. While that punishment did not carry over to the New Covenant, it demonstrates how seriously the Lord takes the sin.

In Ezekiel 22, the Lord says that He will pour out his "indignation" and "wrath" on those who exploit others.

Allegiance to a political party over facts and justice is wicked.

It is sinful to deny something that is true simply to stick with political conviction. There have been many discussions surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and the potential information within the files in which folks with strong political allegiances deny objective reality to uphold their agendas. The Epstein files are not ammo in a culture war; they are the tragic result of sin.

Those who blindly support or defend those who align with their political preferences are in error. It is undeniable that individuals from both of the United States' primary political parties are in the Epstein files, and, unfortunately, Epstein's criminal network appears to be wide enough to include both parties, as well.

Frankly, if the Epstein files reveal that a heavy hitter in the Democratic Party was significantly involved with Epstein, and a liberal doesn't condemn that involvement, that person would be in sin. If it comes out that a major member of the Republican Party was heavily involved with Epstein, it would be nothing short of sin for any conservative to dismiss that involvement, as well. Conversely, if someone in the opposite party is thoroughly cleared of wrongdoing, that reality should be accepted, despite the political differences.

Philippians 3:20 reminds believers that "our citizenship is in Heaven" first, not the United States of America, any other country, or any political party within any nation.

Scripture demands a commitment to truth because it demands a commitment to God, who describes Himself as Truth (John 14:6, John 17, Deuteronomy 32:4).

Emotions can be complex.

For Christians, considering how to process wicked behavior can be complicated.

On one hand, believers must feel heartfelt grief for the suffering of Epstein's victims. Compassionate love should lead God's people to pray, both for victims and for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

On the other hand, anger is an appropriate emotion to feel when learning about the abuse, exploitation, and other alleged debauchery contained within the Epstein files. When injustice of any kind happens—especially injustice as horrible as this—it is not wrong for Christians to feel righteous anger. However, that anger can easily turn to sin (James 1:19-20). Believers have a responsibility not to respond to wrong with additional wrong.

When attempting to discern truth from fiction and interpret complicated legal and political releases, all of these emotions can cloud judgment. The Church must be a leading voice in being committed to the truth, as opposed to being consumed by vague public perception or sensationalized reporting.

Final verdict

For Christians, the first response to anything Epstein-related should be compassion and concern for victims. However, believers should also feel real anger in the face of sin and injustice. Christ-followers are also required to value the truth and the pursuit of justice.

As a major news topic of the day, the conversation around the Epstein files leaves society with the harsh reality that the world is completely broken and corrupted by sin. Only the redemptive work of Christ can overcome this world (John 16:33).

Jeffrey Epstein was a wicked, evil man, and as far as we know, he never repented, meaning he is receiving his eternal punishment for his crimes. There are plenty of others who were part of his world, and Christians should pray that they are brought to justice.

Chances are, some of the guilty will face earthly consequences for what they have done, while some of the guilty will not. However, believers can rejoice in knowing that, where the American justice system may fail, the guilty will not get away with what they have done.

Jesus says in Matthew 10:26, "So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known."