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What does the Bible say about taking your own life?

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The Bible teaches that human life belongs to God and is precious in his sight, so taking one’s own life is a grievous wrong, yet God’s mercy is greater than human despair and his final judgment is perfectly just. Exodus 20:13 and Genesis 9:5-6 uphold the sanctity of life, while 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 teaches that believers belong to Christ, body and soul. Scripture records Saul’s tragic death in 1 Samuel 31:3-6 without presenting it as a faithful solution. Ecclesiastes 7:17 warns against destructive self-ruin, and James 1:2-4 calls sufferers to seek God’s sustaining grace in trials. Those burdened by despair should be met with prayer, compassionate care, and immediate help from trusted people.

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

  • Ecclesiastes 7:17

    Don't be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?

  • 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

    [19] Or don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own, [20] for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:17

    If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him; for God's temple is holy, which you are.

  • Genesis 9:5-6

    [5] I will surely require your blood of your lives. At the hand of every animal I will require it. At the hand of man, even at the hand of every man's brother, I will require the life of man. [6] Whoever sheds man's blood, by man will his blood be shed, for in the image of God made he man.

  • 1 John 4:1

    Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:19

    Or don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own,

  • Exodus 20:13

    "You shall not murder.

  • James 1:2-4

    [2] Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, [3] knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. [4] Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

  • 1 Samuel 31:3-6

    [3] The battle went sore against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was greatly distressed by reason of the archers. [4] Then said Saul to his armor bearer, Draw your sword, and thrust me through therewith, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armor bearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword, and fell on it. [5] When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell on his sword, and died with him. [6] So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor bearer, and all his men, that same day together.

  • Job 12:10

    In whose hand is the life of every living thing, The breath of all mankind?

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