For decades, abortion has been a hotly discussed topic, with widely differing viewpoints and ideas. The Bible is one source that is frequently cited in abortion debates.
As religious literature has tremendous influence over the views and values of millions of people worldwide, it’s not unexpected that the Bible is frequently used as a guide for moral and ethical issues, including abortion.
The Bible, on the other hand, is a complicated and nuanced literature, and interpreting its teachings on abortion is not an easy undertaking.
In this post, we will look at what the Bible teaches about abortion and the numerous views and arguments on the subject.
What Does The Bible Say About Abortion?
1. Genesis 1:27
“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
2. Exodus 20:13
“You shall not murder.”
3. 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.”
4. 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?”
5. 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.”
6. Matthew 18:14
“In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.”
7. John 10:10
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
8. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
Abortion and the Commandment “Thou Shalt Not Kill”
9. Exodus 23:7
“Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty.”
10. Deuteronomy 27:25
“‘Cursed is anyone who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ Then all the people shall say, ‘Amen!'”
11. Proverbs 6:16-19
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
12. Isaiah 44:2
“This is what the Lord says—he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.”
13. Jeremiah 7:31
“They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to burn their sons and daughters in the fire—something I did not command, nor did it enter my mind.”
14. Ezekiel 18:20
“The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.”
15. Matthew 5:21-22
“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.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
16. 1 John 3:15
“Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.”
Old Testament Perspectives
17. Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
18. Genesis 1:31
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.”
19. Deuteronomy 6:5
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
20. 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.”
21. Psalm 24:1
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”
22. Psalm 139:1-4
“O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.”
23. Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
24. Ecclesiastes 3:1
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.”
New Testament Perspectives
25. Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
26. Matthew 22:37-39
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
27. Mark 10:45
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
28. Luke 6:31
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
29. John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
30. Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
31. Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
32. 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Verses Against Abortion
33. 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.”
34. 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?”
35. Isaiah 49:15
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!”
36. 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.”
37. Luke 1:41
“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”
38. Luke 1:44
“As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.”
39. Galatians 1:15
“But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased”
40. James 1:27
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
Christian Responses to Abortion
Christian Responses to Abortion vary widely across denominations, cultures, and individuals. While some Christians view abortion as an act of murder and, therefore, as morally reprehensible, others believe that the decision to terminate a pregnancy should be left to the individual and their conscience.
The primary source of guidance for Christians on this issue is the Bible, but there is a wide range of interpretations of the relevant passages, which leads to differing views on abortion.
Many Christian groups view abortion as a sin and believe life begins at conception. The Catholic Church, for example, considers abortion a grave moral evil, which violates the commandment “Thou shall not kill.”
Protestants oppose abortion, although there is less consensus among different denominations. Evangelical Christians, for instance, believe that life begins at conception and that abortion is equivalent to murder.
Other Christians adopt a more nuanced view of the issue. Some believe that while abortion is not ideal, it can be justified in certain circumstances, such as when the mother’s life is at risk or in cases of rape or incest.
Some Christians believe that the decision to terminate a pregnancy should be left to the individual and their conscience, as it is a complex and deeply personal issue.
Many Christian organizations are actively involved in advocating for the pro-life movement and providing support to women who choose to carry their pregnancies to term. Crisis pregnancy centers and adoption agencies are examples of these organizations.
On the other hand, some Christian groups advocate for the pro-choice movement, arguing that the decision to terminate a pregnancy should be left to the individual and that they should have access to safe and legal abortions.
Christian Responses to Abortion are varied and complex, with different denominations and individuals holding diverse views. While many Christians view abortion as a sin and oppose it, others believe that the decision to terminate a pregnancy should be left to the individual and their conscience. Despite these differences, most Christians agree on offering support and compassion to women facing difficult pregnancy-related decisions.
Conclusion
The Bible does not clearly and succinctly answer the question of abortion. While some verses imply that life begins at conception and should be treasured, others imply that, in some circumstances, the mother’s life is given priority.
Ultimately, people must establish their thoughts and opinions depending on how they read the Bible and their moral principles. It is crucial to approach this subject with understanding, compassion, and respect for all viewpoints. It is also necessary to seek advice and assistance from reputable religious leaders and healthcare specialists.
The choice to undergo an abortion is ultimately very personal and should be carefully considered while guided by one’s values and views.
