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What does the Bible say about children born out of wedlock?

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The Bible teaches that every child is made in God’s image and must be received with dignity, love, and faithful care, while sexual sin belongs to the adults, not the child. Deuteronomy 24:16 affirms that children are not to bear punishment for their parents’ sins, and Jesus upholds God’s design for marriage in Matthew 19:6. Deuteronomy 23:2 reflects old covenant civil and worship-boundary laws, not a license for Christians to despise or exclude children. All people need the cleansing and mercy of God described in Psalm 51:5-7, and the gospel calls parents, families, and churches to repentance, responsibility, compassion, and covenant faithfulness.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Deuteronomy 23:2 15 votes

    A bastard shall not enter into the assembly of Yahweh; even to the tenth generation shall none of his enter into the assembly of Yahweh.

  • 1 Timothy 5:8 5 votes

    But if anyone doesn't provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

  • Matthew 19:6 3 votes

    So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don't let man tear apart."

  • Hebrews 10:26 3 votes

    For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins,

  • 1 Corinthians 7:1-8 3 votes

    [1] Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me: it is good for a man not to touch a woman. [2] But, because of sexual immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. [3] Let the husband render to his wife the affection owed her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. [4] The wife doesn't have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise also the husband doesn't have authority over his own body, but the wife. [5] Don't deprive one another, unless it is by consent for a season, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer, and may be together again, that Satan doesn't tempt you because of your lack of self-control. [6] But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment. [7] Yet I wish that all men were like me. However each man has his own gift from God, one of this kind, and another of that kind. [8] But I say to the unmarried and to widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I am.

  • Psalms 51:5-7 3 votes

    [5] Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity. In sin my mother conceived me. [6] Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts. You teach me wisdom in the inmost place. [7] Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

  • Deuteronomy 24:16 3 votes

    The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

  • Hosea 4:6 3 votes

    My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, That you may be no priest to me. Because you have your God's law, I will also forget your children.

  • Hosea 2:2 2 votes

    Contend with your mother! Contend, for she is not my wife, Neither am I her husband; And let her put away her prostitution from her face, And her adulteries from between her breasts;

  • Hebrews 12:8 2 votes

    But if you are without discipline, of which all have been made partakers, then are you illegitimate, and not children.

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