Children born out of wedlock are often discussed in the Bible within cultural and moral contexts. Yet Scripture emphasizes God’s love for every individual. Today, we’ll explore what the Bible says about this topic and God’s plans for all His children.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Born Again Christians
What Does The Bible Say About Born Out Of Wedlock
John 8:41
“You are doing the works of your own father.” They said, “We are not illegitimate children. The only Father we have is God himself.”
This verse highlights the pride and denial of the Pharisees who refused to acknowledge their own sinful nature and claim that they were not illegitimate children. It serves as a reminder that we are all in need of God’s grace and forgiveness regardless of our circumstances or upbringing.
Deuteronomy 23:2
“No one born of a forbidden marriage nor any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the Lord, not even in the tenth generation.”
This verse emphasizes the seriousness of the consequences of forbidden marriages. It serves as a reminder that God expects His people to honor His commands and that there may be restrictions and consequences for those born out of wedlock.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
This powerful passage reminds us that regardless of our past sins or circumstances of birth, through faith in Jesus Christ, we can be forgiven, transformed, and made worthy to inherit the kingdom of God. It shows that the grace and power of God are greater than any sin or societal label.
Psalm 69:8
“I am a foreigner to my own family, a stranger to my own mother’s children.”
This verse expresses the feelings of being rejected and marginalized, even within one’s own family. It acknowledges the pain and challenges that can be faced by those born out of wedlock. It reminds us that God sees and understands our deepest struggles and can bring healing and restoration.
Psalm 27:10
“Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.”
In moments of rejection or abandonment, this verse offers comfort and assurance that God is always present and ready to receive us. It reminds us that our identity and worth are not determined by our earthly family but by our relationship with the heavenly Father.
Ephesians 1:4-5
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.”
This verse reveals that God’s love and acceptance of us are not based on our earthly circumstances or lineage. It highlights the incredible truth that God has chosen us and predestined us for adoption as His children through Jesus Christ, extending His grace and mercy to all who believe.
Matthew 1:18
“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.”
This verse tells the story of the miraculous birth of Jesus, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit. It showcases that God can work through and redeem any situation, including those born out of wedlock, for His divine purposes. It reminds us that God’s plans surpass earthly limitations.
Ruth 4:13-17
“So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. The women said to Naomi: ‘Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.’ Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. The women living there said, ‘Naomi has a son!’ And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.”
This inspiring story of Ruth and Boaz illustrates God’s faithfulness and redemption. Despite Ruth’s widowhood and the circumstances of her relationship with Boaz, they were blessed with a son named Obed, who became the grandfather of King David. It serves as a beautiful reminder that God can bring forth blessings and significance from unlikely and unconventional situations.
1 John 3:1
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”
This verse highlights the incredible love God has bestowed upon us by calling us His children. It reminds us of our true identity and the security and acceptance we find in being God’s beloved. It reassures us that our worth and belonging are not determined by societal norms but by God’s love for us.
Isaiah 41:9
“I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.”
In this verse, God reassures His people that He has chosen them and will not reject them, regardless of their origin or circumstances. It serves as a reminder that God’s love and purpose for our lives extend beyond any earthly limitations or prejudices.
Galatians 4:5-7
“…to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.”
This passage speaks of the redemptive work of Christ, who came to free us from the law and adopt us as God’s children. It emphasizes the intimate relationship we have with God as His sons and daughters and the inheritance we receive as His heirs. It highlights the transformation and belonging that come through faith in Christ, regardless of our past or social status.
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 psalm reminds us of the intimate involvement of God in our creation and formation. It underscores the inherent value and purpose that God has placed within each person, regardless of the circumstances of their birth. It affirms that every individual is fearfully and wonderfully made by the Creator and that their lives hold divine significance.
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
This verse affirms our identity as God’s handiwork, beautifully created to fulfill a purpose in Christ. It assures us that God has prepared good works for us to accomplish, regardless of the circumstances surrounding our birth. It underscores that our worth and calling are found in Christ alone.
Psalm 103:13-14
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.”
This comforting verse reminds us of God’s compassion and understanding toward us as His children. It emphasizes that God knows our weaknesses and limitations and extends His mercy and love towards us. It serves as a reminder that our worth is not derived from our circumstances but from God’s unwavering love for us.
Romans 8:14-16
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him, we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”
This powerful passage highlights our identity as children of God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It assures us of freedom from fear and slavery to sin. It underscores the intimate relationship we have with God as our Father and the confirmation within our spirits that we belong to Him.
Psalm 68:5
“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.”
This verse reveals God’s heart for the fatherless and those in vulnerable situations. It reminds us that even if we are born out of wedlock or face the absence of an earthly father, God is the ultimate Father who cares and provides for us. It brings comfort and reassurance, knowing that God takes on the role of defender and provider for those in need.
Psalm 27:10
“Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.”
In moments of rejection or abandonment, this verse offers comfort and assurance that God is always present and ready to receive us. It reminds us that our identity and worth are not determined by our earthly family but by our relationship with the heavenly Father.
James 1:17
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
This verse reminds us that despite the circumstances of our birth, every good and perfect gift we receive comes from our Heavenly Father. It reaffirms that God’s love and provision are constant, unchanging, and not dependent on our past or background.
Isaiah 54:5
“For your Maker is your husband— the Lord Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.”
In this verse, God reveals Himself as our Maker and Husband. It signifies that He is our ultimate source of identity, love, and provision. It assures us that regardless of the circumstances surrounding our birth, God is our Redeemer and the One who brings wholeness and fulfillment.
Jeremiah 1:4-5
“The word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘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 emphasizes God’s divine calling and purpose for each individual’s life. It highlights that God’s knowledge and plans for us extend back to before our birth. It assures us that regardless of the circumstances of our conception, God has a unique calling and destiny for each of His children.
Ephesians 3:20-21
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”
This verse reminds us that God’s power and ability to work in our lives surpasses our expectations and imaginings. It highlights that God can bring about extraordinary things through us, regardless of our circumstances or birth. It exalts His name and affirms His eternal glory.
1 Samuel 16:7
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'”
This verse serves as a reminder that God’s perspective differs from that of humans. It assures us that God looks beyond external factors, including the circumstances or societal judgments surrounding our birth. Instead, God looks at the heart and values our inner character and faithfulness.
Hebrews 13:5
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'”
This verse provides comfort and encouragement by reminding us that God’s presence and faithfulness are constant. It assures us that regardless of our background or socioeconomic status, God will never leave or abandon us. It challenges us to find contentment in Him and His promises rather than external circumstances.