<Ex 20:13> “You shall not murder.”

The sanctity of human life.

1) Because humans are created in the image of God.

<Gen 9> 1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. 2 The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth, and on all the birds in the sky, on every creature that moves along the ground, and on all the fish in the sea; they are given into your hands. 3 Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.

4 “But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it. 5 And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being.

6 “Whoever sheds human blood,
    by humans shall their blood be shed;
for in the image of God
    has God made mankind.

• Every human life is valuable to God, regardless of status and background.
• To murder a human is outright attack on God.
• Only God has the right to give life and take it away:
  • <Deut 32:39> “See now that I myself am he! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand.

2) God laid out very grave penalties for murder.

• Especially premeditated murder <Num 35:16–21, 31>.
• <Num 35:31> “Do not accept a ransom for the life of a murderer, who deserves to die. They are to be put to death.”
• Killed someone by accident  cities of refuge <Num 35:9-15>
• Negligent homicide:
  • <Ex 21> 29 If, however, the bull has had the habit of goring and the owner has been warned but has not kept it penned up and it kills a man or woman, the bull is to be stoned and its owner also is to be put to death.
• <Ro 13:4> For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 
• There is biblical basis to capital punishment.
• <Gen 9:6> reflects a high view of human life, instead of a low view.
• Doesn’t mean we must resort to capital punishment for every case (e.g. David and Moses).

But not all killing are prohibited.

• 6th commandment is about “murder” (unlawful, unjust, immoral killing).
• Can eat animals.
• Capital punishment.
• Self-defense.
  • <Ex 22:2-3> “If a thief is caught breaking in at night and is struck a fatal blow, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed; but if it happens after sunrise, the defender is guilty of bloodshed.
• Just wars.

How are we to obey the 6th commandment?

Heidelberg Catechism, Q 105. What does God require in the sixth commandment?

A: I am not to dishonour, hate, injure, or kill my neighbour

by thoughts, words, or gestures, and much less by deeds,

whether personally or through another; 

rather, I am to put away all desire of revenge.

Moreover, I am not to harm or recklessly endanger myself.  

Therefore, also, the government bears the sword to prevent murder.

Controversial issues

• Suicide
• Abortion
• Euthanasia
  • MOH: “Euthanasia/mercy killing is the deliberate ending of the life of a person suffering from an incurable and painful disease by unnatural means, such as the administration of lethal chemicals.”
• Suicide, abortion, and euthanasia are not permitted under the 6th commandment.

Heidelberg Catechism, Q 106. But does this commandment speak only of killing?

A: By forbidding murder God teaches us that he hates the root of murder, such as envy, hatred, anger, and desire of revenge, and that he regards all these as murder.

• <Mt 5> 21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
• <1 Jn 3:15> Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.
• We all need God’s grace and forgiveness.
• “Murder” is a grievous sin, but not the “unforgivable” sin, so repent and God will have mercy on us.

Heidelberg Catechism, Q 107. Is it enough, then, that we do not kill our neighbour in any such way?

A: No.

When God condemns envy, hatred, and anger, he commands us

to love our neighbour as ourselves,

to show patience, peace, gentleness, mercy, and friendliness toward him,

to protect him from harm as much as we can, and to do good even to our enemies.

• Not only commanded not to murder, but should promote life, protect lives, and save lives.