The Bible has a lot to say about the importance and purpose of procreation. Here is an overview of the key biblical teachings on this topic:
1. The command to “be fruitful and multiply”
In Genesis 1:28, God blesses the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, and commands them to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it.” This establishes procreation as part of God’s creative purpose for humanity. God desires for humans to participate in creation by bearing children and filling the earth. Having children is therefore seen as a blessing and mandate, not merely an option.
This command is reiterated after the flood in Genesis 9:1, showing that procreation remains an ongoing obligation and calling for humanity. The imperative to “be fruitful and multiply” is thereby established as a creation ordinance – something embedded in God’s design for human life and society.
2. Children as a blessing and heritage
Children are portrayed throughout the Bible as gifts from God and a blessing (Psalm 127:3-5, 128:1-4). The barrenness of women like Sarah, Rebekah and Rachel was seen as a misfortune, and their later conceptions as evidence of the Lord’s mercy in granting what was desired (Genesis 21:1-7, 25:21, 30:22-24).
Multiple verses also describe children as a reward and heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:3, Isaiah 8:18). Parenting children is a stewardship responsibility that comes from God, echoing the mandate to multiply from creation.
3. The propagation of godly offspring
Procreation allows for the raising up of godly offspring who can serve the purposes of God’s kingdom in each generation. This was a key motivation for marriage and family in the Old Testament (Malachi 2:15). Godly parenting that passed on true faith was seen as essential for fulfilling the divine mandate to fill the earth with faithful people.
This goal of propagating godly children continues into the New Testament. For example, 1 Timothy 2:15 speaks of women being “saved through childbearing” as they raise children in faith. And Ephesians 6:4 exhorts fathers to bring up children in the training and instruction of the Lord.
4. Fulfilling the cultural mandate
As mentioned earlier, God’s command to multiply was tied the mandate to fill and subdue the earth (Genesis 1:28). Having children allows families to expand and spread across the world, establishing new cultures and civilizations that follow God’s design for human flourishing. Populating the earth with image-bearers who steward creation is part of God’s purpose.
Therefore, procreation is about fulfilling the cultural mandate. It pushes back the chaos of sin and brings habitable order and righteousness, all of which echoes God’s desire for abundant life across the earth. Each new child furthers this divine commission.
5. Illustrating gospel truths
Human procreation, intimacy and family relationships illustrate profound gospel truths. The Bible frequently uses marriage imagery to depict God’s covenant love for his people (Isaiah 54:5, Jeremiah 3:1, Hosea). Paul calls marriage itself a “profound mystery” that illuminates “Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:32).
Likewise, the parental affection and nurture shown in procreating points to the care and love God has for his spiritual children (Psalm 103:13, Isaiah 49:15, Matthew 7:11). So bearing children not only propagates the faith biologically, but also testifies to the relating heart of God.
6. The perpetuation of humanity
At a basic level, procreation continues and sustains humanity from generation to generation. As God said to Noah after the flood, “Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you…for all future generations” (Genesis 9:8,12). Having offspring is the means by which humanity endures.
While God could have chosen to perpetuate the human race in other ways, he endowed husbands and wives with the ability to participate directly in this continuance through marital love and childbearing. This fruitfulness is an immense privilege and responsibility.
7. The display of virtue
The process of raising children is intended by God to cultivate virtue and strong character. Qualities like self-sacrifice, loving discipline, wisdom, longsuffering, unconditional love and more are organically developed through parenting.
Procreation calls mothers and fathers to maturity and sanctification as they model godliness and love to their kids. Wise parenting on the part of both mothers and fathers thereby displays and nurtures kingdom virtue (Colossians 3:21, Titus 2:2, 6-8).
8. The growth of the church
Procreation among Christian couples means more infants born into covenant families and new members added to the church. Children raised in godly homes go on to be the next generation of the faithful. So, in one sense, having kids grows the church.
Of course, procreation alone does not guarantee increased church attendance or faith in the next generation. But in God’s providence, Christian parents will reproduce physical and spiritual children as a natural outflowing of their walk with Christ.
9. An affirmation of creation
Though procreation is subject to the fall like all human activities, it remains at its core an intrinsically good part of God’s creation. Children are a fundamental blessing, not a burden. Fruitfulness fulfills design and calling, rather than representing a mistake or penalty.
In this way, having children and raising families affirms the goodness of creation in contrast to worldviews that see human origins and existence as a problem. God’s mandate to multiply remains active, creation is good, and life is a gift to propagate.
10. Portraying eternal hope
Procreation points to the promise of eternal generation in the kingdom of God. Having children displays God’s ongoing creative work, ultimately culminating in the new heavens and new earth where there will be no death and life will flourish.
The biblical vision of the future is overflowing with images of children, pregnancy and familial love. The hope of resurrection is alive in the birth of every child (Isaiah 11:6-9, 65:20, 25).
In conclusion, procreation is a fundamental biblical mandate and blessing for several key reasons. It fulfills God’s purpose for humanity, propagates righteousness, nurtures virtue, grows the church, affirms creation, illustrates the gospel and portrays eternal hope. Children are always to be received as gifts from the Creator’s loving hand.
