There are lots of questions about suicide. Is it a sin? What does the Bible say about suicide? These are the most questions that we will answer today. First, let’s know several suicide incidents in the Bible: 
- King Saul (1 Sam. 31:3-5)
- Armor-bearer to (1 Sam. 31:5)
- Samson (Judges 16:25-30)
- Abimelech (Judges 9:50-55)
- Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:23)
- Zimri (1 Kings 16:15-20)
- Judas ( 27:3-4)
All of the incidents above are caused by desperation. However, it is also good to note that Samson, though it is a form of suicide and of desperation, we know that he did it to bring victory over Israel by killing as many enemies as possible when he was captured.
Concerning Judas, he committed suicide not just out of desperation, but also out of guilt of betraying the Lord Jesus.
Is Suicide a Sin?
There are many passages in the Bible that indicates suicide is a sin. Here are some of those:
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 ESV
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Ecclesiastes 7:17 ESV
Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time?
Psalm 34:17-20 ESV
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
1 Corinthians 6:20 ESV
For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
1 Corinthians 3:17 ESV
If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Psalm 147:3 ESV
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 13:2-4 ESV
How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.
In the passages above, we can see that even out of desperation or with the feeling of hopelessness and tiredness, it is not right for a person to take his own life. We always have a hope in God, and we always find comfort in him.
However, there are incidents of suicide where a person came completely out of sanity because of emotional breakdown, or deep depression.
American Psychiatric Association defines depression:
“Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home.”
Knowing this, I don’t think it is right for a person to judge whether the suicide committed (in this scenario) a sin or not. Again, deliberate suicides caused by hopelessness or desperation is clearly a sin, but the Bible was not clear if it also includes people suffering from depression and is no longer in his right mind. In such case, we have to leave it to God instead of condemning, or judging people.
Is It an Unforgivable Sin?
Even if suicide is a sin, it is a forgivable sin. The Bible speaks for only one unforgivable sin, the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31-32, Luke 12:10).
What You Should Know if You Have Suicidal Thoughts?
God loves you – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16). You can also read more about God’s love here: 10 Bible Verses About God’s Love
God gives hope – “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” (Ps. 34:18-19)
God heals – “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” (Ps. 55:22)
God has a plan for you – Though the passage was given to Israelites, God always have a better plan for the people. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer. 29:11)
