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Value of Human Life in Scripture and Christian Ethics

The value of human life in Christian thought is deeply rooted in biblical narratives and theological interpretations, emphasizing its sacredness and unique position within creation. This value is often understood in relation to God's creative act, humanity's fallen state, and the redemptive work of Christ.

From the outset, the biblical account portrays humanity as distinct, created in the image of God. This imago Dei confers inherent dignity and worth upon every individual. The preservation of human life is a recurring theme in ancient texts [5]. The Old Testament, for instance, details laws concerning the dedication of the firstborn of man and beast to God, commemorating the sparing of Israel's firstborn [6]. This highlights a divine claim over life and its protection.

The New Testament further articulates the profound value of human life, particularly through the person and work of Jesus Christ. The incarnation itself underscores the significance of human nature; Christ took on human flesh, experiencing human emotions like weeping, hunger, thirst, and weariness [1]. His humility was demonstrated by taking on human nature and being born into humble circumstances [2]. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 13:13, lists hope as one of the three main elements of Christian character, alongside faith and love [4]. This hope is centered on Christ, who is the object of the believer's hope [4].

The concept of "life" in Christian theology extends beyond mere physical existence. John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, explains that "life" when applied to the Son implies His eternity and underived existence, and that eternal life is imparted to humans by partaking of Christ's flesh [10]. He also notes that the present life is a "seed time" and a preparation for a better state [10]. The "new birth" or spiritual regeneration is essential for entering heaven, as it addresses the corruption of human nature [3]. This new birth is effected by God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, often through the word of God and the resurrection of Christ [3]. It is described as a "new creation" and "newness of life" [3].

The value of human life is also reflected in the ethical demands placed upon believers. The name "Timotheus" itself means "honor of God; valued of God" [7]. The question posed in Mark 8:37, "For what can a man, give, in exchange for his life?" [9], highlights the irreplaceable nature of life. Wisdom is presented as giving life to its owner, even as money provides protection [8].

The sacrifice of Christ is central to understanding the value God places on humanity. John Chrysostom emphasizes God's immense love for the world, stating that God "spared not His Only-begotten Son" for humanity's sake [13]. This act of divine self-giving demonstrates the immeasurable worth of human beings in God's eyes. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on 2 Thessalonians 1:12, notes that the Christian calling aims for Jesus's passion and death to be magnified in the believer's life and happiness, showing forth the virtues of God [12]. This salvation, according to Clarke, is a work of God's grace that saves from all sin [12].

Furthermore, the concept of human life's value informs Christian ethics regarding sin and redemption. The infinite purity and strict justice of God, combined with humanity's inherent sinfulness, necessitate a sacrifice for acceptance by God [14]. The "new birth" is required because of the corruption of human nature [3]. John Gill, commenting on Psalm 72:15, interprets "he shall live" as referring to the poor and needy man, who, though spiritually dead, will be quickened by Christ and live a life of faith and holiness, ultimately living eternally [11]. This underscores the belief that human life, even in its fallen state, is deemed worthy of divine intervention and eternal redemption.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Human Nature of Christ, The — Was necessary to his mediatorial office -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 2:17; Ga 4:4,5; 1Co 15:21; Ro 6:15,19. Is proved by his Conception in the Virgin's womb. -- Mt 1:18; Lu 1:31. Birth. -- Mt 1:16,25; 2:2; Lu 2:7,11. Partaking of flesh and blood. -- Joh 1:14; Heb 2:14. Having a human soul. -- Mt 26:38; Lu 23:46; Ac 2:31. Circumcision. -- Lu 2:21. Increase in wisdom and stature. -- Lu 2:52. Weeping. -- Lu 19:41; Joh 11:35. Hungering. -- Mt 4:2; 21:18. Thirsting. -- Joh 4:7; 19:28. Sleeping. -- Mt 8:24; Mr 4:38. Being subject to weariness. -- Joh 4:6. ”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility of Christ, The — Declared by himself -- Mt 11:29. Exhibited in his Taking our nature. -- Php 2:7; Heb 2:16. Birth. -- Lu 2:4-7. Subjection to his parents. -- Lu 2:51. Station in life. -- Mt 13:55; Joh 9:29. Poverty. -- Lu 9:58; 2Co 8:9. Partaking of our infirmities. -- Heb 4:15; 5:7. Submitting to ordinances. -- Mt 3:13-15. Becoming a servant. -- Mt 20:28; Lu 22:27; Php 2:7. Associating with the despised. -- Mt 9:10,11; Lu 15:1,2. Refusing honours. -- Joh 5:41; 6:15. Entry into Jerusalem. -- Zec 9:9; Mt 21:5,7. Washing his disciples' feet. -- Joh 13:5. Obedi”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: New Birth, The — The corruption of human nature requires -- Joh 3:6; Ro 8:7,8. None can enter heaven without -- Joh 3:3. Effected by God. -- Joh 1:13; 1Pe 1:3. Christ. -- 1Jo 2:29. The Holy Spirit. -- Joh 3:6; Tit 3:5. Through the instrumentality of The word of God. -- Jas 1:18; 1Pe 1:23. The resurrection of Christ. -- 1Pe 1:3. The ministry of the gospel. -- 1Co 4:15. Is of the will of God -- Jas 1:18. Is of the mercy of God -- Tit 3:5. Is for the glory of God -- Isa 43:7. Described as A new creation. -- 2Co 5:17; Ga 6:15; Eph 2:10. Newness of life. -- Ro 6:4. A spir”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Hope — One of the three main elements of Christian character (1 Cor. 13:13). It is joined to faith and love, and is opposed to seeing or possessing (Rom. 8:24; 1 John 3:2). "Hope is an essential and fundamental element of Christian life, so essential indeed, that, like faith and love, it can itself designate the essence of Christianity (1 Pet. 3:15; Heb. 10:23). In it the whole glory of the Christian vocation is centred (Eph. 1:18; 4:4)." Unbelievers are without this hope (Eph. 2:12; 1 Thess. 4:13). Christ is the actual object of the believer's hope, because it is in”
  5. Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 6, section 4: the preservation of human life. I now return to the thread of my history.”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: First Born, The — Of man and beast dedicated to God -- Ex 13:2,12; 22:29. Dedicated to commemorate the sparing of the first born of Israel -- Ex 13:15; Nu 3:13; 8:17. Of clean beasts Not to labour. -- De 15:19. Not shorn. -- De 15:19. Not taken from the dam for seven days. -- Ex 22:30; Le 22:27. Offered in sacrifice. -- Nu 18:17. Could not be a free-will offering. -- Le 27:26. Antiquity of offering. -- Ge 4:4. Flesh of, the priest's portion. -- Nu 18:18. Of clean beasts To be redeemed. -- Nu 18:15. Law of redemption for. -- Nu 18:16. Of the ass to be redeemed with la”
  7. Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Timotheus — honor of God; valued of God”
  8. Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 7:12 (BBE) — Wisdom keeps a man from danger even as money does; but the value of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to its owner.”
  9. Mark “Mark 8:37 (Rotherham) — For what can a man, give, in exchange for his life?”
  10. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: proved by his eating with Christ, 242 ; case of, attracted the people, 245 . Leah, praised for her choice of her children's names, 68 . "Life," why said of the Son, 7 ; implies His Eternity, 18 ; meaning of, 19 ; not applied to the Holy Spirit, 21 ; nor to created things, 22 ; implies providence and a resurrection, 23 . Life, the present, a seed time, 90 ; a time of preparation for a better state, 111 ; eternal, in Christ, underived and original, 168 ; imparted to men, by partaking of His Flesh, ib. ; mercifully shortened, 211 ; will not bear compar”
  11. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 72:15: And he shall live,.... Either the poor and needy man, saved and redeemed by Christ; he, though dead in trespasses and sins, shall live spiritually, be quickened together with Christ, and by his Spirit, and live a life of faith and holiness; and though dead by law, yet, through the righteousness of Christ, shall have the justification of life, and live in the sight of God; and so shall live comfortably by faith in Christ, being filled with joy and peace in believing in him; and though he may lose his life for Christ's sake, he shall find it again, and live eternally w”
  12. 2 Thessalonians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Thessalonians 1:12: That the name of our Lord - This is the great end of your Christian calling, that Jesus who hath died for you may have his passion and death magnified in your life and happiness; that ye may show forth the virtues of him who called you from darkness into his marvellous light. And ye in him - That his glorious excellence may be seen upon you; that ye may be adorned with the graces of his Spirit, as he is glorified by your salvation from all sin. According to the grace - That your salvation may be such as God requires, and such as is worthy of his grace to co”
  13. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: is need of faith? For He calls the Cross the fountain of life; which reason cannot easily allow, as the heathens now by their mocking testify. But faith which goes beyond the weakness of reasoning, may easily receive and retain it. And whence did God “so love the world”? From no other source but only from his goodness. [3.] Let us now be abashed at His love, let us be ashamed at the excess of His lovingkindness, since He for our sakes spared not His Only-begotten Son, yet we spare our wealth to our own injury; He for us gave His Own Son, but we for ”
  14. Leviticus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Leviticus 5:19: He hath certainly trespassed - And because he hath sinned, therefore he must bring a sacrifice. On no other ground shall he be accepted by the Lord. Reader, how dost thou stand in the sight of thy Maker? On the subject of this chapter it may be proper to make the following reflections. When the infinite purity and strict justice of God are considered, the exceeding breadth of his commandment, our slowness of heart to believe, and our comparatively cold performance of sacred duties, no wonder that there is sinfulness found in our holy things; and at what a low ebb”
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