5061 sanctity of life

Scripture treats human life as a divine gift and something for which humans are responsible. It is thus to be valued and respected. No human being has the right to take the life of another.

The sanctity of all human life

It proceeds from God Ge 2:7; Ac 17:25

It is precious to God Ge 1:27 See also Ge 4:10-11; 2Sa 18:12-13; Mt 6:25-26

It is protected by God Dt 22:8 See also Ge 4:15; Nu 35:11-12; Jer 22:3

Death is by God’s appointment Heb 9:27 See also Job 14:5; Ps 90:3,5

God prohibits unlawful taking of life Ex 20:13 pp Dt 5:17 See also Mt 19:18; Ro 13:9 So precious is human life that some situations which required the death penalty in the OT are dealt with differently in the NT (e.g., Jn 8:5,11).

God punishes unlawful taking of life Ge 9:6 See also Ex 21:14; 2Sa 12:9; 2Ki 21:16

The sanctity of children’s lives

Children are planned by God Ge 18:10; Jdg 13:3-4; 1Ki 13:2; 2Ki 4:16-17; Jer 1:5; Lk 1:13-17,24-25,31-33,35

Children are precious and to be treasured Ps 127:3-4 See also Ge 33:5; Ge 48:9; Ps 113:9; Ps 128:3

Child sacrifice is opposed Ge 22:10-12; Lev 18:21; Dt 12:31; 2Ki 3:27; 2Ki 16:3 pp 2Ch 28:3; Ps 106:38; Isa 57:5; Jer 7:30-31; Jer 19:5; Eze 16:20-21

Warnings against murder of children Ex 1:16-17; Ac 7:19

Antenatal life is fully human Job 31:15; Ps 22:9; Ps 119:73; Ps 139:13-16; Isa 46:3-4; Isa 49:1,5; Jer 1:5 Luke uses the same words here of an unborn child as he does in 2:12,16 of a newborn child and in 18:15 of little ones: Lk 1:41,44

Injury to a pregnant woman is serious Ex 21:22-25; Am 1:13

The sanctity of old age

The old are to be respected Pr 23:22 See also Lev 19:32; Job 32:6; Ps 71:18; 1Ti 5:1-2

The old are to be cherished 1Ti 5:4 See also Ge 47:12-13; 1Sa 22:3; Jn 19:26-27

See also