What does the bible say about a person who commits suicide, will he/she be saved?

So many people ask about this question—people who have lost a loved one to suicide, others who are contemplating suicide. They search the Bible to find the answer to their question, but nowhere does it say “Those who commit suicide will go to hell.”  But is the Bible really quiet on that subject? 

Let us take a few examples of people who committed suicide and see if they were saved or not.

A. Those who committed suicide:

1. The example of Saul

1 Sam 31:4 Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through, or these uncircumcised fellows will come and run me through and abuse me.” But his armor-bearer was terrified and would not do it; so Saul took his own sword and fell on it.  NIV

Saul committed suicide when he realized his case was hopeless and he was surrounded by his enemies’ armies.

Was Saul saved or not?

The Bible does not tell us for sure, but it says about Saul: 1 Sam 15:23 “For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.  Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.”  NIV  It seems that Saul’s life has been in rebellion with God’s Word, especially towards the end of his life.  His act of suicide confirms this rebellion (as he couldn’t hear from the Lord, the day before he consulted with a witch, another act of rebellion. See 1 Samuel 28) God rejected him as a king.

2. The example of Judas Iscariot

Matt 27:5 “So Judas threw the money into the temple and left.  Then he went away and hanged himself.”  NIV

Judas committed suicide when he realized what he had done: he had betrayed the Son of God.

Was Judas saved or not?

Again, the Bible does not tell us for sure.  However it tells us:

Acts 1:18 “With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out.”  NIV

John 18:5 “Judas the traitor…” NIV

Again we see here that Judas had led a life of rebellion, although he was a disciple of Jesus.  It was a quiet rebellion.  His suicide confirms his rebellion.

Please note Peter, the apostle.  He also rebelled and denounced Jesus Christ (Mat 26: 69-75).  His case was hopeless as well.  Can you imagine, he had renounced His Saviour!  However he repented and God forgave him.  Hope was restored and he became a powerful and faithful disciple of Christ.  How the tables can be turned around if we but trust the Lord.

3. Zimri’s example

1 Kings 16:18 “When Zimri saw that the city was taken, he went into the citadel of the royal palace and set the palace on fire around him.  So he died” NIV

Zimri was desperate as well.  The enemy took his city.  He decided to commit suicide.

Was Zimri saved or not?

Again the Bible does not tell us for sure, but it tells us that: 1 Kings 1 Kings 16:19 “because of the sins he had committed, doing evil in the eyes of the LORD and walking in the ways of Jeroboam and in the sin he had committed and had caused Israel to commit.”  NIV

During Zimri’s whole life he was in rebellion with God.  He committed atrocious iniquities.  He had plenty of occasions to repent.  He never did. His suicide confirms again his rebellion.

4. Samson

Judg 16:30 “Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!”  Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it.  Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.”  NIV

Samson died blind and a prisoner of his enemies.  His act of suicide led to the death of many of the most important men among his enemies. His death was more a sacrifice than a suicide.

Was Samson saved or not?

Again, the Bible does not tell us for sure.  However if we read Samson’s life in the book of Judges, we notice something peculiar: he never listened to God and always did his own way. 

B. Those who contemplated suicide

1. Paul’s jailer

Acts 16:27-28 “The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.  But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself!  We are all here!”  NIV

Paul’s jailer woke in terror.  In a miraculous way all prison doors had been opened.  Facing disgrace and certain death, he had decided to commit suicide.

God had other plans.  He was stopped through Paul.  An opportunity was given to him that was unheard of: the gospel message was shared with him.  The result?

Acts 16:33 “he and all his family were baptized.”  NIV

Himself and his family were saved.  Had he committed suicide, he would have missed a golden opportunity.  Salvation was offered to him and his family.

2. Moses

Num 11:14-15 “I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me.  If this is how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now — if I have found favor in your eyes — and do not let me face my own ruin.”  NIV

Moses was tired of taking care of Israel all by himself.  They were a hard people to please.  They complained constantly.  Finally his patience wore out, and he begged God for death.  Did God honour his wish? He didn’t take his life away.  He did better than that.  He gave a solution to his problem:

Num 11:16-17 “The LORD said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people.  Have them come to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you.  I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them.  They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone.”  NIV

Again Moses would have missed the golden opportunity to lead his people to the promised land. Had he committed suicide, he would never have been talked so highly among his people.  Our God is a God of hope.  He can and will answer our pleas of despair.

3. Elijah

1 Kings 19:2-4 “Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.  When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert.  He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die.  “I have had enough, LORD,” he said.  “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”  NIV

Elijah, the mighty prophet of God was terrified when Jezebel threatened him.  Although he had experienced God’s power at Mount Carmel, despair filled him and he longed to die.  Did God fulfill his will? No, he did better than that:

1 Kings 19:5-9 “All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”  He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water.  He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.”  So he got up and ate and drank.  Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.  There he went into a cave and spent the night.”  NIV

God made sure to feed him and led him to a 40 day journey, where he was able to face God and have communion with him.  He was able through God’s help to do many other great deeds in the name of the Lord and was led to even train his successor Elisha.  Had he committed suicide, he would have missed all these golden opportunities.

Our God does not desire our suicide.  Our God is a God of hope.  He is all powerful!  Jesus promised us: Matt 28:20 “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  NIV  Jesus is with us.  Why not hand over our burdens to Him, instead of carrying them all by ourselves.  No wonder we are tired. 

Here is what Jesus promises us if we hand over our burdens to Him Matt 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  NIV Nowhere does He promise us suicide.  He promises us to take care of our burdens and give us rest.

Would you like to experience the rest that Jesus is promising you?  Why don’t you come to Him and invite Him into you life.  Do so by answering the Saviour’s Call.  Don’t commit this hopeless act of suicide. Our God is a God of hope.  Just as the jailer was stopped in his suicide and was led to a hopeful future, God is trying to stop you as you are reading this.  You have a hopeful future as well my friend, if you give Jesus your burdens with confidence that He will take care of them. Our God is a God of hope! 1 Peter 1:13 “Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.”  NIV

Rob Chaffart

P.S. Please also visit our site, which answers the question: What Does the Bible Say About … SUICIDE and HELL?

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Issues of life and death lie in the hands of God alone. Job said to God, “Man’s days are determined; You [O God] have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed” (Job 14:5). David said to God, “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16).

Suicide goes against the commandments of God. In fact, the sixth commandment tells us, “You shall not kill” (Exodus 20:13). This command is based on the sanctity of human life. We must remember that man was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26).

Suicide is one of the greatest acts of selfishness, for in it the individual caters to his his own will, ignoring the catastrophic effects it has on others.

Although no place in the Bible does it come directly out and say “those that commit suicide will not be saved and go to heaven,” I believe that a “True” Christian, and I do mean a “True” Christian would never do such an act, because it is very obvious a sin, pointed out in the above scripture.

Now it does come down to the point that NO sin would keep us from the Love of God because He is all forgiving. I think that it is very possible that one who in a terrible moment of weakness killed themselves would still go to heaven. Only the Lord truly knows, but the point is truly that if we are “True” Christians we would not go against the Lord. We would be supported in the knowledge that He is with us and will see us through anything. Any problem, any depression and any emotional situation no matter how hopeless it seems. His strength is all we need to support us and keep us from that. For by committing suicide, we are drawing completely away from the Lord and letting the evil one take over us. We are going against the Lord’s word. But, we do that many times in our lives, just being the human sinners that we are. Only the Lord truly knows the answer to this one, but it’s very obvious that it is against every bit of the Lords teachings.

DeeDee

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Boy this is a tough one and one I have been asked a lot. A murderer cannot dwell in Heaven is in the Bible. Suicide is supposed to be an unforgiveable sin. However, what about someone driven to suicide, someone who is unfit mentally? I think circumstances apply. If a person who is a confessed Christian, who is in sound mental and physical health commits suicide then I think they may be separated from God. If a person is mentally ill, or say was abused as a child or someone who never has known God, then perhaps Christ died for their sin of suicide. There are people who mourn the loss of a spouse, of their children … I think/hope they are forgiven.

B. J. Cassady

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I believe if a person who committed suicide and had accepted the Lord as their Savior he will be forgiven. . I also believe the only thing that will keep us from going to heaven is the refusal to turn to Christ in faith and trust. I have not read anything in the bible mentioning the word suicide. In 2 Samuel Ahithophel hanged himself because his advice was not followed. I feel suicide is not the answer but again the Lord does forgive. What I am saying is a person that is saved and does end their life I do know the Lord forgives so the answer could be yes, they will go to heaven. I totally believe too that a Christian would not want to kill themselves, again, depends on the person situation. Why not let the Lord help you and help you through all this.

Jeane Brewer

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Hello , its time for my bible study. I just do not know why this came to me but for some reason I felt led to do it. Please lets pray and ask Gods blessings upon this study. Heavenly father as I come to you for this study I ask that you anoint me with words that I may say to enlighten those who reads this. I pray Lord for strength and courage to go through this for its not the kind of topic we like to hear but Lord sometimes we need to send it out cause there may be someone at that moment who really needs it. I have found in my ministry I do that whatever you lay upon us we need to follow through. Lord bless not only me but every person who reads this. Touch them Lord that they will not turn deaf ear to you and what is being said. I give you all praises and glory. Thank you Jesus. Amen.

Although suicide is never used in the bible there are few references to people killing themselves and by definition that is SUICIDE. Lets see what 2 Samuel 17:23 says: now when Ahithophel saw that his advice was not followed he saddled a donkey and arose and went home to his house to his city then he put his household in order and hanged himself and died and he was buried in his fathers tomb.

I ask you is suicide the unpardonable or does God forgive suicide? These questions have troubled the hearts of those who struggle with the temptation to end their lives and those who are left behind when a family or family member chooses to take his or her life. Not long ago a young man in the college where we live hung himself cause he had told some of his friends he was unhappy that his parents never paid any attention to him and he felt he was not loved. This young man was a son of a lawyer. My last study was on Parenting. It happens my friends. Most suicidal feels they not wanted due to lack of communication and that 4 letter word **LOVE**. As we look at sensitive subject that exposes our most intimate thoughts and feelings, we realize that the subject of suicide affects those who do not profess to know Christ as savior and many believers as well.

So many has the inability to cope with failure, some the ability to deal with relationships, maybe a loss of position, some may just could not cope with the unbearable pain of humiliation and a meaningless life. Just recently a neighbor of mine, a young lady of 39, shot and killed herself cause she was told she had terminal cancer and had only few months to live. She left behind children and had not been a year since her 18 year old son died from overdose of drugs mixed with beer. A major cause of suicide is the deepest of living without meaning or purpose. The fact that children are finding suicide to be the logical choice, they are living in a world of isolation, rejection and that no one cares. Life for them becomes intolerable and suicide becomes the logical answer. Depression is a KEY FACTOR in most suicides. There are many reasons for depression to lead to suicide. Some people just can not cope with things as others do so they end up finding a way out. Divorce, loss of jobs or financial distress.

We need to consider the reasons why suicide is wrong and why it is not the way to avoid painful circumstances. As an act of rebellion suicide is a sin against God. I want to name some of the reasons why suicide is wrong:

1. == It violates the 10 Commandments

2. == nowhere does the bible condone a person ending life to escape circumstances.

3. == LIFE IS A GIFT FROM GOD.

4. == Suicide is an expression of self hatred and the bible says we are to LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS AS OURSELVES.

5. == Suicide usurps the power that belongs only to God.

6. == A person who commits suicide short circuits Gods will for his or her life.

7. == It is an expression of **FAITH**. Philippians 4:19 says: My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. You see, this applies to financial needs and emotional and physical needs.

8. == Suicide is an act of **SELFISHNESS**

9. == IT HURTS THE CAUSE OF CHRIST.

Let’s CRY out to God and read Psalm 34: 17-20 and ask God to renew our minds with these verses: The righteous cry out and the Lord hears and delivers them out of **ALL** their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart and saves such as have a contrite spirit many are afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him out of them ALL. He guards all his bones not one of them is broken. Suicide is not the answer to life’s pain whether its physical, mental or emotional, Jesus is the answer and in him alone will we find healing from the problems that causes a person to end life before God has chosen to do so. God Bless

Written by Jeane

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The person who commit suicide is not going to have eternal life, but instead eternal death. The Bible have some infamous persons, such as Judas, Saul, Ahthophel (the unfaithful councilor of David) & Zimi. These wicked persons turned the grace of GOD into lasciviousness to their perditions. The last person mentioned is not well known, of whom we could read in 1Kings 1 :18,19. He died in his sins. My conclusion is the person who commit suicide has not found grace and is not saved.

John Mekrani