Highlight: What does the Bible say about suicide?

Suicide is an unfortunate reality of our day. But what happens when Christians commit suicide? Do they go to heaven? Dr. Ron Rhodes shares what the Bible says and doesn’t say about suicide.

“This is such a difficult issue because on the one hand, I could answer these questions philosophically and theologically very easily, but the problem is that’s not what people need.”

Those who have had someone they know commit suicide know the horror and doubt that follows.

“I’ve had people close to me who have committed suicide. On one hand we want to understand what God says about it, but on the other hand we want to be there to share the burden with those who are suffering through this horrible tragedy.”

Ron shares several theological facts about suicide.

“From a Biblical perspective, Scripture indicates that all issues of life and death properly lie in the sovereign hands of God.”

God knows the number of hairs on our head and He has numbered every day we have on this earth. We can’t thwart His will by ending our lives prematurely.

“Theologically there’s also the sixth commandment, you shall not murder. The commandment is based on the sanctity of human life. Everybody is created in the image of God, it’s a wondrous thing and theologians often point out that that phrase you shall not murder does not have a direct object.  It doesn’t say you should not murder somebody else. It doesn’t say you should not murder your fellow man. It just says you shall not murder and so that includes yourself.”

Is suicide the unforgivable sin? 

“I’ve heard many Christians tell me that it’s unforgivable sin. I don’t see a single verse in scripture that says that.”

Clearly Ron does not condone suicide under any circumstances.

“Nobody should ever do it. The apostle Paul and his colleagues were suffering under the very throws of death but they depended upon the Lord to deliver them. Paul knew what it was like to feel that way, but he never went so far as to do it. He depended upon the Lord and that’s what God calls us to do, but if a particular person just gives in, and is not thinking right and ends up doing it, he was wrong in doing it, but I don’t see anything in Scripture that says that’s the unforgivable sin.”


Dr. Ron Rhodes received his Th.M. and Th.D. degrees in systematic theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, graduating with honors. He is currently the president of Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministries, an apologetics organization located in Texas.

Key Scripture: Lamentations 3

Featured Songs:

Hour 1: This is the Day – Phil Wickham; Never Stop – Urban Rescue; Priceless – For King and Country

Hour 2: My Lighthouse – Rend Collective; Trust in You – Lauren Daigle; Deeper – Meredith Andrews

Bible Answers part 1
Also on this edition of Live the Promise
Bible Answers part 2