It’s hard to think of a more controversial topic and everyone seems to have something to say about it. But what does the Bible say about abortion?
Christians and non-Christians alike stand behind debate podiums, rally around protests, and speak passionately about whether the act of abortion is fundamentally right or wrong. The fact that abortion is highly politicized makes it even more challenging to talk about.
Despite all the complex political, social, scientific, and theological layers, one thing is simple and clear:
A person’s life is precious.
Life is unquantifiable. Invaluable.
From beginning to end, the beauty and fragility of life all points to the One who upholds it—our amazing God. He is our Creator and loving Father who gives the gift of life at conception.
So as followers of Christ, it’s critical for us to know where the Bible stands on this sensitive, controversial topic.
Does the Bible Support Abortion?
As Christians, we hold Scripture as our ultimate authority in governing our worldview and our lives.
So, does the Bible say anything about abortion? Although the Bible doesn’t mention the word “abortion,” what we do find are countless verses that explicitly declare the value of human life.
Scripture declares that life itself is given by God. The Bible upholds the sanctity of life and only God can give and take it away.
Thus, humans are commanded to keep, honor, and protect life.
Is Abortion Sin?
We find ample warnings in the Bible that the act of murder is against God’s law and his holiness. It’s a strike against a universal moral code—even for non-Christians. Murder violates the sanctity of life given by God.
Is abortion murder? Abortion can briefly be defined as the killing of an innocent child in the womb. Some Christians would say abortion is morally wrong but would stop short of calling it murder in some cases. Others do equate it with murder. Where in the Bible does it say abortion is wrong?
If we consider abortion as the intentional killing of an innocent life, then one obvious place is in the sixth commandment.
You shall not murder (Exodus 20:13).
And there are others:
- Genesis 9:6: “Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.”
- Matthew 5:21: “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’”
- 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 (emphasis added).”
- Leviticus 24:17: “Anyone who takes the life of a human being is to be put to death.”
These verses collectively teach that taking a life is a grave sin. They reflect the explicit, God-given responsibility to protect life as a gift from God.
When Life Begins: Sanctity of Life at Conception
Most people would agree wholeheartedly that life is intrinsically valuable and that murder is wrong. It’s a strike against a universal moral code that all humans seem to recognize.
But the contentious point often boils down to determining when life actually begins.
We won’t explore in-depth the overwhelming scientific evidence that points to life beginning at conception here, but the Bible is very clear that life begins in the womb.
Here are a few verses that describe how God has ordained and planned for every human life in the womb:
- 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.”
- 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.”
- Isaiah 49:1: “Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.”
The Creator of this universe has known our names since the beginning of time. That’s something to ponder.
Every part and stage of our lives, inside and outside the womb, is carefully planned by a God who loves us and is gracious to us. However, trying to draw a line for when that moment of sanctity begins after conception is difficult. It’s wise to err on the side of life so we’re not prone to slippery slope moral arguments.
Conception is not by chance. It’s orchestrated by God. Conception is his intended plan to create a person who holds unspeakable value. And no human being has the right to end a life ordained by God almighty.
Personhood: Unborn Humans Have a Personal Nature
While most people recognize that life begins at conception and that the unborn are indeed human, some people argue that the unborn are not persons. Some advocates of abortion insist that the unborn are not self-conscious; therefore, they are not persons and thus abortion is morally allowable.
However, the Christian worldview sees human beings very differently than does a secular worldview. In Christian theology human beings are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26–28) and, therefore, they have a human nature that is personal from the beginning of conception. Personhood is understood as a given of creation, not as something that emerges when one is self-conscious.
So, while some advocates of abortion insist that the human fetus is developing toward personhood, Christian defenders of the pro-life perspective argue that the fetus is a fully human person who is undergoing physical development and growth.
Is Abortion in the Bible?
Despite the overwhelming scriptural evidence that God’s law values human life in the womb, some people try to claim that the Bible condones the act of abortion in Numbers 5:11–31.
They argue that because the passage mentions the priest cursing the unfaithful woman to “miscarry” through drinking bitter waters, the curse is evidence for abortion. God justified the act.
However, a closer study of this verse and specifically the translation of “miscarriage” brings light to the issue. The word is more accurately translated as “womb shriveling.” It’s pointing to the curse of barrenness, not miscarriage. The judgment was not abortion, but a curse of not having children.
Even if we read the text as a miscarriage, the intent of this passage is to portray God’s right to judge. He is the ultimate author of life and death. The passage doesn’t warrant a call for abortion as a result of sinful acts.
If You Had an Abortion . . . There’s Forgiveness
We all live in a fallen world where we make decisions that go against God’s will. We’ve all failed to keep God’s law in many ways. It’s part of our brokenness, and whether we’re admittingly aware, disobeying God is a part of our sinful nature.
If you had an abortion due to various life circumstances, you may be wrestling with a whirlwind of emotions—grief, guilt, sadness, or even relief.
But know that there’s grace.
Regardless of the type of sin we’ve committed, God is a gracious God who forgives through the blood of Jesus Christ.
There’s forgiveness for repentant sinners, and God promises his grace and new life.
- Isaiah 1:18: “‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.’”
- 1 Peter 2:24: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”
- Ephesians 1:7: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”
- Psalm 103:12: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
Friends, you are not alone in this walk through troubled times, and there is hope and healing available through Jesus.
If you’re wrestling with thoughts of abortion, whether past, present, or thinking about it for the future, it is our prayer that you receive God’s grace and seek support from loving friends or family. Perhaps God will use your story in mighty ways to be an encouragement to others.
Regardless of your past failures and sin, may you feel his embrace and his relentless love for you. And may God continue to remind you of his unfailing grace that covers you through all seasons of life.
Wonderfully Made
As we have explored what the Bible says about abortion, there’s no denying that the Bible says we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139).
Each and every process in the womb—every part of a developing body—is carefully crafted since conception, and God is the ultimate giver and taker of life.
He knows every hair on our heads, and has called us by name before we were even in our mother’s wombs.
We have intrinsic value that is instilled by our Creator. And how wonderful to know we are in the care of such a mighty, loving God!
Let’s not forget that value when we see the life of an unborn child. May we hold fast to the infinite value God places on every human life.
