Abortion is a complex and sensitive issue, and while it is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the scriptures provide guidance on related themes of life, morality, and compassion. This exploration seeks to understand the biblical perspective on the sanctity of life and the moral considerations surrounding the topic of abortion.
We’ll delve into the scriptures to extract principles and teachings that can inform our understanding and discussions on this challenging subject.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Good Works Not Getting You To Heaven
Bible Verses About Abortion
Exodus 20:13
“You shall not murder.”
This verse affirms the sanctity of human life and clearly states that killing is prohibited. It directly opposes the act of abortion, as it involves the termination of a developing life within the womb.
Proverbs 6:16-17
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,”
God detests the shedding of innocent blood, and abortion falls under this category. This verse emphasizes that taking the life of an innocent unborn child is detestable in the eyes of the Lord.
Psalm 139:13-16
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
This powerful and beautiful passage describes the intimate involvement of God in the creation of every human life. It reveals that God has a plan for each individual even before they are born. These verses affirm the value and worth of an unborn child, reinforcing the belief that abortion is contrary to God’s plan.
Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
This verse further emphasizes the personal knowledge and purpose God has for every individual, even before they are conceived. It demonstrates that each life has inherent value and significance, which should be respected and protected.
Luke 1:41
“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”
This verse illustrates the humanity and spiritual awareness of unborn children. John the Baptist, in his mother Elizabeth’s womb, responded to the presence of Jesus in Mary’s womb. It highlights the existence and connection of life within the womb.
Psalm 127:3
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”
This verse acknowledges children as a blessing and a precious gift from God. It emphasizes the responsibility to nurture and protect them, asserting that every child, whether born or unborn, deserves love and care.
Matthew 19:14
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'”
Jesus values and welcomes children, and this verse emphasizes their importance in the eyes of God. It reinforces that children, including unborn children, have a place in God’s kingdom and are worthy of protection and care.
Isaiah 49:1
“Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.”
This verse portrays God’s personal knowledge of individuals even before their birth. It highlights that every life is known and acknowledged by God from the very beginning, reinforcing the understanding that unborn children have inherent worth.
Psalm 22:9-10
“Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast. From birth, I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb, you have been my God.”
These verses express a personal relationship between God and an individual, established even before birth. It emphasizes that God is intimately involved in every stage of life, including the time spent in the mother’s womb.
Job 31:15
“Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?”
This verse affirms that the same God who formed an individual in the womb also forms every other human life. It reinforces the belief that each life has divine origins and should be respected and protected, including the lives of the unborn.
Psalm 106:37-38
“They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to false gods. They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood.”
This verse serves as a cautionary reminder of the historical consequences when innocent lives are sacrificed. It highlights the evil of killing children, even in the context of idol worship. It serves as a warning against the desecration and moral decay resulting from the shedding of innocent blood.
Proverbs 24:11-12
“Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, ‘But we knew nothing about this,’ does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?”
These verses call for action to protect those who are being unjustly led to their death. It acknowledges that ignoring or claiming ignorance of such acts does not absolve one of responsibility. It emphasizes that God, who knows every heart, will judge individuals based on their actions and attitudes toward the preservation of life.
Psalm 106:40-42
“Therefore the Lord was angry with his people and abhorred his inheritance. He gave them into the hands of the nations, and their foes ruled over them. Their enemies oppressed them and subjected them to their power.”
These verses highlight the consequences that can arise when a society fails to value and protect innocent lives. The Lord’s anger and the oppression of His people reflect the negative repercussions that result from disregarding the sanctity of life.
Deuteronomy 30:19
“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live”
In this verse, God presents a clear choice between life and death, urging His people to choose life. It emphasizes the divine desire for the preservation and flourishing of life for both individuals and future generations.
Psalm 106:23
“So He said He would destroy them—had not Moses, His chosen one, stood in the breach before Him to keep His wrath from destroying them.”
This verse refers to Moses interceding on behalf of the Israelites to prevent God from destroying them as a consequence of their sinful actions. It serves as a call for intercession and advocacy to protect those at risk, including the unborn.
Proverbs 31:8-9
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
These verses encourage individuals to be a voice for the voiceless and to stand up for those who cannot defend themselves. It highlights the responsibility to protect and advocate for the rights and well-being of all individuals, regardless of their stage of life.
Psalms 106:35-38
“but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs. They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them. They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to false gods. They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood.”
This verse recounts the ancient Israelites’ grave error of sacrificing their children to false gods. It vividly portrays the tragic consequences that result when innocent lives are disregarded and sacrificed for the sake of false religious practices.
Psalm 82:3-4
“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
These verses highlight the call to defend and protect those who are vulnerable and in need of assistance. It emphasizes the responsibility to rescue and deliver those who are oppressed, including unborn children who lack the ability to defend themselves.
Isaiah 1:15-16
“When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood! Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong.”
These verses admonish individuals who engage in acts of violence or harm against innocent lives while still engaging in religious practices. It emphasizes the need to repent, turn away from evil, and pursue righteousness, including the protection of vulnerable lives.
James 4:17
“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”
This verse suggests that not taking action to prevent evil or protect others when one knows what is right is considered sin. It underscores the moral responsibility to actively work against the harm and injustice inflicted upon the vulnerable, including unborn children.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”
While this verse primarily refers to the human body as a temple of the Holy Spirit, it carries significance in the context of abortion as well. It suggests that intentionally causing harm or destruction to God’s creation, including the destruction of an innocent life within the womb, bears severe consequences.
Ezekiel 16:20-21
“And you took your sons and your daughters, whom you had borne to me, and these you sacrificed to them to be devoured. Were your whorings so small a matter that you slaughtered my children and delivered them up as an offering by fire to them?”
This verse uses a powerful metaphor to convey the gravity of sacrificing children. It likens the act to adultery and highlights the heinous nature of taking innocent lives, drawing a parallel between the rejection of God’s love and the destruction of innocent children.
These Bible verses provide a foundation for understanding the sanctity of life and the Bible’s stance on abortion. They affirm that every human life, from conception onwards, is valuable, significant, and deserving of protection. Scripture repeatedly condemns the shedding of innocent blood and emphasizes the inherent worth of every individual, even in the womb. These verses encourage believers to stand up for the vulnerable, speak out against injustice, and advocate for the rights and preservation of human life. As Christians, we are called to love, protect, and honor each life, including the unborn, recognizing that they are fearfully and wonderfully made by God Himself.
What Does the Bible Say About Abortion?
As Christians, when we seek to understand the biblical perspective on abortion, we must look at the overarching principles and themes in the Bible that inform our understanding. The Bible does not explicitly mention abortion, but it does provide principles that help us form a biblical view on this topic.
First, we believe that all human beings are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Our lives are precious and valuable to God, and as believers, we are called to uphold the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. This understanding leads us to value and protect the life of the unborn.
Additionally, the Bible repeatedly affirms the role of God as the creator and sustainer of life. For example, Psalm 139 beautifully describes how God intricately forms each person in the womb, underscoring the value and significance of every individual life.
Moreover, the Bible encourages us to show compassion and care for those who are vulnerable and in need. This includes providing support for women facing unplanned pregnancies, as well as advocating for the protection of the unborn.
In our faith, we also find guidance on making choices that align with God’s will. We are encouraged to seek wisdom and discernment in all our decisions, including those related to the sanctity of life.
When grappling with the complexities of abortion, we must approach the issue with love, compassion, and a commitment to upholding the biblical principles of valuing life and showing care for those in need.
Ultimately, our faith calls us to advocate for life and extend grace and support to those who are facing difficult decisions. We are called to pray for wisdom, to provide practical help to those who are struggling, and to be a source of love and support in line with the teachings of Scripture.