Is Suicide Unpardonable?

This question often arises: What if one commits suicide—self murder? If one’s very last thought and action was to commit this sin, can such a person be saved? In other words, was this person’s decision, which ended his life in an unrepentant state, tantamount to committing the unforgivable sin?

In today’s society, suicide is increasingly viewed as an acceptable means of solving one’s problems. In some legal systems, medical professionals have been given the right to assist in the suicide of those whose conditions render them incapable of carrying out the act themselves. Suicide is slowly being rationalized, and even becoming honorable. Aside from the moral and ethical issues this raises on the human level, what does God say about suicide?

The Sixth Commandment states, “Thou shalt not kill” (Ex. 20:13; Deut. 5:17). There is no distinction made between killing another person and killing oneself.

A person considering suicide has reached that point by allowing circumstances in his life to rule over him. Paul asked, “Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Rom. 6:16). In verse 12, he exhorts us, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lusts thereof.”

In Matthew 22:39, Christ taught, “…You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” In Ephesians 5:29, Paul stated, “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it…” A person contemplating suicide may say that he hates himself, but his real motivation is utter self-love, to the point that he totally disregards the feelings and needs of others, and the impact that his actions will have on his family and friends. In I Corinthians 13:5, Paul stated, “[Charity (love)] seeks not her own…” He also stated, “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel [an unbeliever]” (I Tim. 5:8).

Those who commit suicide may receive the same judgment as those who permanently ignore any other sin. Their ultimate reward is shown in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” James 4:17 draws the distinction at what one “knows” to be right.

The Bible clearly shows that the unpardonable sin is any sin unrepented of (I John 5:16). Killing is certainly sin—and self murder is no exception. One who kills himself is certainly at least in jeopardy of being left in an unrepentant condition before God. The Bible does not directly tell us whether God overlooks and forgives such an action because the person is no longer present and able to reconsider and repent.

Do not ever consider “chancing” that He will!