What is the Bible's stance on euthanasia?

Definition and Context of Euthanasia

Euthanasia is commonly defined as the act of intentionally ending a life to relieve pain or suffering, sometimes referred to as “mercy killing.” In contemporary discussions, this topic intersects with medical ethics, quality of life, and personal autonomy. However, the biblical framework, shaped by themes of human dignity, divine sovereignty, and the sacredness of life, provides comprehensive principles that address this issue.

Though the Scriptures do not mention the specific term “euthanasia,” biblical teachings on the value and sanctity of human life, God’s dominion over life and death, and human responsibility toward one another inform an overarching stance.

The Value of Human Life in Scripture

From the earliest chapters of Genesis, humanity is distinguished as made in the image of God (see Genesis 1:27). This foundational truth imbues each person with inherent worth, transcending health status or length of life.

The psalmist reflects on divine involvement in human life, proclaiming: “For You formed my inmost being” (Psalm 139:13). This passage underscores the belief that each individual is personally and intentionally known by the Creator.

When evaluating any practice that ends human life prematurely, these foundational texts remind readers that life itself bears a unique value. It is not merely a biological or utilitarian phenomenon; it is a sacred trust given by God.

Key Biblical Principles Regarding Life and Death

1. God’s Sovereignty Over Life: Scripture consistently affirms that ultimate authority over life and death rests with God (see 1 Samuel 2:6), indicating that human interventions should not presumptuously usurp this divine prerogative.

2. Sixth Commandment: One succinct directive undergirds traditional Christian views on ending life: “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). While euthanasia does not always carry the malice associated with murder, this command reveals how carefully Scripture safeguards human life.

3. Hope and Trust in God: In moments of extreme suffering, biblical examples highlight reliance on God’s sustaining presence (see Psalm 23:4). This perspective curtails the notion of taking one’s life or the life of another to halt suffering, focusing instead on the possibility of redemption within hardships.

4. Stewardship of Life: Believers are called stewards of what God has given, including their own bodies (see 1 Corinthians 6:19–20). As stewards, individuals acknowledge that they do not have absolute autonomy over their lives but remain accountable to the One who grants life.

Biblical Examples of Suffering and Endurance

Several examples illustrate how Scripture addresses suffering without sanctioning a premature end to life:

• Job’s Trials: Facing profound physical and emotional affliction, Job never seeks an “early release.” Instead, he wrestles with God, his suffering, and his friends' counsel, ultimately recognizing his life remains in God’s hands (Job 2:9–10).

• Jesus’ Example: In the agonies preceding His crucifixion, though He prays for relief, He surrenders to the Father’s will (see Luke 22:42). This example challenges the belief that immediate cessation of suffering is the ultimate aim.

These narratives present hardship as a context for personal growth, divine intervention, and demonstrations of faith. Within this biblical worldview, life’s darkest seasons do not justify intentional termination.

Moral and Ethical Concerns

1. Diminishing the Image of God: Euthanasia risks framing life’s worth solely through a lens of suffering versus comfort. Yet biblical teaching insists that the divine image persists in every circumstance.

2. Slippery Ethical Boundaries: Once the deliberate taking of life is permitted on the basis of compassion, broader questions arise about who decides when suffering justifies ending a life. Historically, such expansion of criteria (e.g., mental distress or infirmities) raises serious concerns about the potential devaluation of persons seen as “less fit.”

3. Legal and Cultural Implications: Societies have debated laws that permit forms of euthanasia. Yet Scripture’s caution against taking life invites scrutiny of any legal framework that places personal preference or expediency above the sanctity of life.

Compassion, Care, and the Role of Hope

Compassion remains a hallmark of the biblical perspective toward the suffering. While calls for euthanasia often stem from a desire to end pain, Scripture points to various alternatives:

• Palliative Care and Support: Providing medical, emotional, and spiritual comfort honors both the dignity of the individual and God’s design for compassion. Throughout Scripture, believers are urged to “Bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2).

• Prayer and Community Intervention: Biblical communities often rallied around the sick, seeking God’s intervention and offering practical support (Acts 9:36–41). This communal aspect reflects the responsibility to care for, rather than hasten the end of, those in distress.

• Hope in Eternal Life: Beyond earthly affliction, Scripture holds out the promise of a renewed future free from suffering (see Revelation 21:4). While this does not diminish present pain, it shapes a perspective in which life remains a gift until God’s appointed time.

Conclusion

In surveys of biblical texts, the consistent theme is that life is sacred, divinely given, and under God’s sovereign care. Scripture affirms compassion for the suffering yet does not endorse terminating life as a solution. Instead, believers are called to uphold life by offering comfort, medical support, prayer, and the hope that arises from trust in God.

Euthanasia, evaluated against these principles, stands outside the Bible’s moral framework. While Scripture recognizes the reality of pain and illness, it ultimately presents life—and its sanctity—as resting in the hands of its Creator. Adherents are thus encouraged to respond to suffering with patience, care, and trust in God’s redemptive work, affirming that every moment of life bears value and divine purpose.