What does the Bible say about suicide?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that human life is sacred to God, and it calls us to seek His help, preserve life, and find hope in His mercy rather than despair. Exodus 20:13 and 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 remind us that our lives belong to God, while 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 speaks solemnly of the body as God’s dwelling. Yet Scripture also meets sufferers with tenderness: Psalm 34:17-20 and Psalm 147:3 proclaim that the Lord hears the brokenhearted and heals their wounds. Psalm 13 gives words for deep anguish, and Jeremiah 29:11 points to God’s faithful purposes. Those in danger should seek immediate help from trusted people and emergency support.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 9 votes
Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, which you are.
- Ecclesiastes 7:17 9 votes
Don’t be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?
- Psalms 34:17-20 5 votes
The righteous cry, and Yahweh hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but Yahweh delivers him out of them all. He protects all of his bones. Not one of them is broken.
- Jeremiah 29:11 4 votes
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” says Yahweh, “thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future.
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 3 votes
Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
- Proverbs 3:5-6 3 votes
Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
- 1 Corinthians 3:17 2 votes
If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, which you are.
- Psalms 147:3 2 votes
He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.
- Psalms 13:2-4 2 votes
How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart every day? How long shall my enemy triumph over me? Behold, and answer me, Yahweh, my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death; lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him;” lest my adversaries rejoice when I fall.
- Exodus 20:13 2 votes
“You shall not murder.
Related topics
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about suicide and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about suicide