Abortion: God’s View of Life in the Womb

Abortion: God’s View of Life in the Womb

Introduction (Psalm 139:13–16)
God forms, knows, and values life in the hidden place of the womb. The Psalmist praises the Lord for His marvelous workmanship, confessing that every member is written in God’s book. Our aim is to hear Scripture and align our hearts with the Creator who cherishes life.

God Knows and Forms Life in the Womb
Scripture presents the unborn as real persons before God. David confesses being fearfully and wonderfully made while yet unseen by human eyes, and his language is intensely personal (Psalm 139:13–16). God tells Jeremiah that He knew and appointed him before birth (Jeremiah 1:4–5). In Luke’s Gospel, John is called a “babe” while in Elizabeth’s womb and responds with joy at Mary’s greeting (Luke 1:39–44). These passages reveal divine intimacy and intention. The Lord detests hands that shed innocent blood, and the unborn belong to that protected category of innocence (Proverbs 6:16–17). Ezekiel records God’s own words—“My children”—when speaking about little ones wrongfully slain (Ezekiel 16:21). The Bible’s testimony is consistent: life in the womb receives God’s attention, care, and moral protection.

Scripture’s Language for the Unborn
Biblical vocabulary underscores continuity of personhood before and after birth. In the Old Testament, the same Hebrew word used for twins “in the womb” (Genesis 25:21–24) also describes Ishmael at age thirteen (Genesis 17:25) and Noah’s grown sons (Genesis 9:19). Likewise, the term that refers to a stillborn child in Job (Job 3:16) is used for young children in Lamentations (Lamentations 4:4). In the New Testament, Luke uses the same Greek word “babe” for John in the womb (Luke 1:41, 44) and for the infant Jesus in the manger (Luke 2:12), and Stephen speaks of “babies” in Acts (Acts 7:19) with that same word. Scripture also calls the conceived child a “son” (Luke 1:36), the very word used for the father’s “sons” in Jesus’ parable (Luke 15:11). The Bible’s consistent terms resist any attempt to reduce the unborn to something less than a person.

Conception and the Creator’s Design
The Bible’s language about conception is precise and reverent. Elizabeth is said to have conceived a son (Luke 1:36). Matthew proclaims that the Holy Spirit’s work in Mary was the conception of the Son of God (Matthew 1:20). The marvels of early development confirm what Scripture confesses: at fertilization a new human organism begins with a full complement of chromosomes, the heart commences beating within weeks, early structures of eyes, ears, arms, and legs appear, and measurable brain activity is detected early in development. These observations agree with the Psalmist’s worshipful description of God knitting life together in the secret place (Psalm 139:13–16).

Justice for the Unborn in God’s Law
Exodus 21:22–25 considers a case where a pregnant woman is injured during a conflict and delivers prematurely. If no lasting harm follows, a fine is imposed. If harm occurs, the law requires proportionate justice: life for life, eye for eye. The phrase “no lasting harm” applies to mother and child; the text treats both as worthy of legal protection. The law’s moral logic is clear: when the early-delivered child is harmed, God’s standard recognizes that harm as a serious offense. Exodus 23:7 warns, “Do not kill the innocent and righteous.” God’s heart is never indifferent toward the vulnerable. Proverbs 6:16–17 reinforces that God hates the shedding of innocent blood. The law protects life in the womb and demands accountability for violence against it.

Grace, Forgiveness, and a People Who Cherish Life
The church must be a community of conviction and compassion. We teach what God reveals, uphold the sanctity of life, and provide help for parents in crisis. We pray, support, adopt, serve, and stand beside mothers and fathers with practical love. We also proclaim the gospel, because only the blood of Jesus cleanses the conscience and grants new beginnings (1 John 1:7–9). The Lord calls every soul to turn to Him, and He stands ready to forgive, heal, and restore.

Abortion: God’s View of Life in the Womb Sermon Outline:

• Introduction — God’s Work in the Womb (Psalm 139:13–16)

  • God forms, knows, and values life in the hidden place.

• God’s Personal Knowledge of the Unborn (Psalm 139:13–16; Jeremiah 1:4–5; Luke 1:39–44; Proverbs 6:16–17; Ezekiel 16:21)

  • Scripture speaks of the unborn with personal language and moral protection.

• Biblical Words that Establish Personhood (Genesis 25:21–24; 17:25; 9:19; Job 3:16; Lamentations 4:4; Luke 1:41, 44; 2:12; Acts 7:19; Luke 1:36; 15:11)

  • Same terms describe children pre- and post-birth; continuity of identity is affirmed.

• Conception and Design (Luke 1:36; Matthew 1:20; Psalm 139:13–16)

  • Conception is the beginning of a human life; early development displays God’s handiwork.

• Justice for the Unborn (Exodus 21:22–25; Exodus 23:7; Proverbs 6:16–17)

  • The law recognizes harm to the prematurely delivered child and requires proportionate justice.

• Grace and the Gospel (1 John 1:7–9)

  • Christ offers cleansing, hope, and a new start.

• Response of God’s People

  • Teach, support, adopt, serve, and speak with courage and compassion.

Call to Action
Honor the Lord who forms life by embracing His truth and practicing His compassion. Seek cleansing where sin has wounded the heart through the blood of Jesus. Commit to protect the vulnerable, strengthen families, and walk in obedience to God’s Word. Come to Christ, follow His will, and let His grace transform your life.

Key Takeaways

• God forms, knows, and values life in the womb (Psalm 139:13–16; Jeremiah 1:4–5).

• Scripture’s words affirm personhood before and after birth (Genesis 25:21–24; Luke 1:41, 44; Luke 2:12).

• God’s law recognizes the unborn in matters of justice (Exodus 21:22–25; Exodus 23:7).

• Shedding innocent blood stands under God’s condemnation (Proverbs 6:16–17).

• In Christ there is forgiveness and a new beginning (1 John 1:7–9).

Scripture Reference List

• Psalm 139:13–16 — God forms life in the womb and knows every member.

• Jeremiah 1:4–5 — Known and appointed by God before birth.

• Luke 1:39–44 — John, a “babe” in the womb, responds with joy.

• Proverbs 6:16–17 — God hates hands that shed innocent blood.

• Ezekiel 16:21 — The Lord calls little ones “My children.”

• Genesis 25:21–24 — Twins in the womb described with the same term later used for persons.

• Genesis 17:25; 9:19 — Continuity of the Hebrew term for older sons.

• Job 3:16; Lamentations 4:4 — The same Hebrew word applies to stillborn and young children.

• Luke 2:12; Acts 7:19 — The same Greek word “babe/infants” for newborns and little ones.

• Luke 1:36; Luke 15:11 — “Son” used for the conceived child and for sons in daily life.

• Matthew 1:20 — Conception by the Holy Spirit of the Son of God.

• Exodus 21:22–25 — Harm to mother or prematurely delivered child addressed with proportionate justice.

• Exodus 23:7 — Do not kill the innocent and righteous.

• 1 John 1:7–9 — The blood of Jesus cleanses and forgives.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

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