What does the Bible say about being or using a surrogate mother?

Response

Using a surrogate mother to bear children for a childless couple has historical roots dating back to the story of Abraham and Sarah in Genesis chapter 16. Sarah, unable to conceive, gave her servant, Hagar, to Abraham so she could bear children. This practice was common in that era, as infertility brought shame upon women from their social circles. This biblical account resembles what we now refer to as “traditional surrogacy,” where the surrogate mother is impregnated with the sperm of a man, often due to his wife’s inability to produce eggs, typically through artificial insemination. Another method known today is “gestational surrogacy,” where an already-conceived embryo, containing the genetic material of a couple, is implanted into the surrogate. Unlike Hagar’s situation, the surrogate in gestational surrogacy merely carries the child without a genetic connection.

Hagar’s story teaches us that utilizing a surrogate parent can lead to emotional pain, heartache, and confusion. An issue that arose with Hagar was her reluctance to surrender her child to Sarah after giving birth. This dilemma persists today, as women may experience profound emotional distress when parting with their children, despite any financial compensation, due to the strong bond formed during pregnancy.

While the Bible does not explicitly prohibit the use of a surrogate parent, it does raise ethical concerns. Marriage is intended for two individuals, with children conceived from that union “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”, (Genesis 1:28,2:24). Involving a third party in the reproductive process means that the child will be born into a more complex familial and biological arrangement.Have a third parent. Then, difficult questions may arise, such as will the baby know its surrogate mother? Will there be visitation? How will the child be expected to feel about the surrogate mother, and will there be jealousy? All these issues should be prayerfully considered before a Christian couple uses a surrogate. Couples who use a family member as a surrogate can often address problems before they arise if the surrogate has a strong bond with the couple and has their welfare and that of their child at heart.

The Bible says that children are a gift, not a right “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: And the fruit of the womb is his reward.”, (Psalm 127:3). Just as God blesses some people with wealth and success, He blesses some with children and others not. Using a surrogate out of arrogant defiance of God would be a sin, but using a surrogate after prayerful consideration and a time of seeking God’s will and guidance may be a viable alternative for the childless. In all we do, we must examine our hearts and the Holy Spirit for truth. “Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God” “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”, (1 Corinthians 10:31).