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Suicide

/SOO-ih-side/

Summary

The deliberate taking of one's own life, which Scripture records in several instances without explicit prohibition but which the Church has consistently condemned as contrary to God's sovereignty over life.

☩Biblical Instances

Scripture records several suicides without explicit moral commentary: Samson pulled down the temple upon himself and the Philistines; Saul fell on his sword when defeat was certain, as did his armor-bearer; Ahithophel hanged himself when his counsel was rejected; Zimri burned down the palace upon himself; and Judas hanged himself after betraying Christ. The Philippian jailer was about to kill himself before Paul stopped him.

Key verses:Judges 16:29-301 Samuel 31:4-52 Samuel 17:231 Kings 16:18Matthew 27:5Acts 16:27-28

☩Biblical Principles

Though no explicit prohibition exists, biblical principles strongly oppose suicide. Life belongs to God who alone has authority over it; the sixth commandment prohibits killing; we are not our own but bought with a price. Paul prevented the jailer's suicide and declared 'Do thyself no harm.' The extreme rarity of suicide among Jews reflects their national abhorrence of it, rooted in their understanding of God's sovereignty over life and death.

Key verses:1 Corinthians 6:19-20Acts 16:28Romans 14:7-9

☩Christian Response

Christianity counters despair not by prohibition but by creating new attitudes of mind—teaching God's fatherly love, giving life ethical content, and interpreting suffering as divine dispensation. The Church has historically denied Christian burial to suicides as a most atrocious crime. Modern understanding recognizes that suicide often results from mental anguish or illness, calling for compassion while still affirming the sanctity of life.

Key verses:1 Corinthians 10:13Philippians 1:22Romans 5:3-4

Related Verses15 mentions

Matthew· 3 verses

4:54:627:5

Luke· 2 verses

4:94:10

Acts· 2 verses

1:1816:27

Judges· 2 verses

16:2916:30

See Also

Homicide
Homicide
Life
Life

References

  1. 1.Philip Schaff and Johann Herzog (ed.), "Suicide," in The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. XI (Funk and Wagnalls, 1908–1914).
  2. 2.Philip Schaff and Johann Herzog (ed.), "Suicide," in The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. XI (Funk and Wagnalls, 1908–1914).
  3. 3.Charles G. Herbermann et al. (ed.), "Suicide," in The Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. XIV (Robert Appleton Company, 1907–1912).
  4. 4.Philip Schaff and Johann Herzog (ed.), "Suicide," in The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. XI (Funk and Wagnalls, 1908–1914).
  5. 5.Philip Schaff and Johann Herzog (ed.), "Suicide," in The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. XI (Funk and Wagnalls, 1908–1914).
  6. 6.Philip Schaff and Johann Herzog (ed.), "Suicide," in The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. XI (Funk and Wagnalls, 1908–1914).
  7. 7.John McClintock and James Strong, "Suicide," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).