What does the Bible say about contraceptions?

Hello N,

Thank you for contacting BibleAsk.

The Catholic Church has been opposed to contraceptions for as far back as one can historically trace. But there is no Bible command that says that. The kind of birth prevention that the Bible would endorse is the kind that prevents conception.

God told Adam and Eve “Be fruitful, and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). But He didn’t say they should do that indefinitely. Couples should be responsible for the welfare of their children. They should be able to provide for all their needs. Jesus said any man who builds a tower, let him count the cost first or else others will mock him if he cannot finish (Luke 14:28). So, before having children, couples should have a financial plan to see if they can afford the needs of their young.

Most Protestant Churches gave approval for birth control – contraceptions- and held that each couple has the right and the duty prayerfully and responsibly to control conception according to their circumstances. These churches affirm that contraceptive services are part of basic health care and that efforts should be made by parents and the community to ensure that each child enters the world with a healthy body, and is born into an environment conducive to realization of his or her potential. Further they caution that unintended pregnancies lead to higher rates of infant mortality, low birth weight, and maternal morbidity, and threaten the economic viability of families.

A couple’s motives for delaying childbearing, using contraceptions, or even having numerous children, is a private matter. People should not judge their motives and decisions. All married couples should seek the Lord’s will to find whether they should have children or not.

In His service,

BibleAsk Team