Free Grace Women

A Free Grace Response to Abortion

By Kathryn Wright

Few verses have been used to instill fear and rob people of assurance more than Galatians 5:19–21. For a woman who’s had an abortion, hearing

“murderers will not inherit the kingdom of God”

 can feel like a death sentence. But is that what Paul meant? Is the kingdom forever closed to her?

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak to a friend who often ministers to young women. In her ministry, the issue of abortion comes up, and she asked me to address Galatians 5:19-21, which states:

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (NKJV)

This passage is often quoted in discussions about salvation, particularly because it contains a strong warning: “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Among the list of sins mentioned is murder. Naturally, this raises important questions, especially for women who have had abortions or for those who counsel them, like my friend. Two main questions are commonly asked in response to this passage.

First, does abortion exclude someone from the offer of eternal life?
Second, does it disqualify a believer from reigning with Christ in the coming kingdom?

1. Abortion does not exclude the unbeliever from the offer of eternal life.

Sadly, this passage has caused many women who have had abortions to think that they are excluded from the offer of eternal life. I pray that this article will remove any such doubts and fears.

One of the sins that is listed in this passage is murder. Since abortion is the ending of a life, and is usually defined as murder, this verse is commonly used to teach that if a woman has had an abortion, she is excluded from the offer of eternal life. However, eternal life is offered to everyone, regardless of their past.

Paul himself, the very author of Galatians, was a murderer before coming to faith in Christ. In Acts 7:58–8:3, we see Paul consenting to Stephen’s death and actively persecuting the early church. Yet in 1 Timothy 1:13–16, Paul testifies that he received mercy and became a pattern for those who would believe in Christ for eternal life. If God can give life to the man who killed His own saints, He can give it to anyone.

Not only did Paul receive eternal life, but he was forgiven of his sins, enjoyed fellowship with the Lord, became an apostle, and will reign in the coming kingdom (2 Timothy 4:7–8).

Paul’s example shows that murder—even abortion, as it falls under that category—does not disqualify the unbeliever from the offer of eternal life. Eternal life is freely given to anyone who believes in Jesus for that gift (John 3:16; 5:24). The key is not whether someone has committed murder, but whether they have believed in Jesus Christ for the free gift of eternal life, which cannot be lost (John 10:28).

2. Galatians 5:19–21 is not about receiving eternal life—but about inheriting the kingdom.

Murder does not disqualify the unbeliever from receiving eternal life. In addition, that isn’t the context of Galatians chapter 5.

The phrase “inherit the kingdom of God” is not synonymous with enter the kingdom of God. Entrance into the kingdom is by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8–9), apart from works of any kind. Inheritance, however, often refers in Scripture to rewards or positions of rulership within the coming kingdom (Romans 8:17; 2 Timothy 2:12).

Galatians is written to believers (Galatians 1:2–4), and Paul is warning them about how they should live. In chapter 5, he contrasts walking by the flesh with walking by the Spirit. Those who practice legalism and fleshly living in their Christian life will not inherit—that is, they will not reign or possess kingdom rewards. Those who walk by the Spirit will bear fruit and will reign.

This is key: the passage is not dealing with who is saved but with who will rule. If “inherit” meant “enter,” then Paul would be teaching that David, Moses, and Paul himself—men guilty of murder—could not be in the kingdom. Yet Scripture affirms they will be there (Jeremiah 30:9; Matthew 17:3; 2 Timothy 4:8).

The Greek word for “practice” (prassontes) implies a habitual lifestyle. A believer who sins but repents and goes on to mature is not the focus of this passage. It is addressing those who continue in unrepentant, fleshly patterns.

3. Abortion does not automatically exclude a believer from rewards.

This begs the question: if a believer has had an abortion, does that mean she is forever disqualified from reigning with Christ? The answer is no.

Once again, Paul is an example of this truth. King David provides another example: David was guilty of both adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11), yet he repented, and God forgave him. David will reign in the future kingdom (Jeremiah 30:9; Ezekiel 37:24).

The issue is not whether a believer has committed a serious sin, but whether they persist in it without repentance and growth. Sanctification is a process. A believer who has had an abortion, repents from that sin, and seeks to walk by the Spirit can be fully restored—and reign in the Kingdom to come.

Conclusion

There is hope and healing for anyone who has committed serious sins—even abortion. For the unbeliever, eternal life is still offered. For the repentant believer, forgiveness and reconciliation are promised. Let us be clear and bold in proclaiming both the freeness of eternal life and the call to live lives worthy of reward—for these women, and for all who need to hear it.

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