Ecclesiastes 3:3 states that there is “a time to kill and a time to heal.” This verse is part of a poetic passage describing contrasts or opposites in life. The author lists pairs of activities or experiences, showing there are appropriate seasons or purposes for each one.
In context, “a time to kill” refers to times of war, conflict, and taking life. There are unfortunately occasions when killing becomes necessary, such as in self-defense, just war, or capital punishment. Though we should always seek peace, sometimes defending the innocent requires meeting violence with force. Ecclesiastes recognizes there are times when killing is tragically unavoidable.
“A time to heal” contrasts with killing by representing restoration and redemption. It encompasses physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. While we live in a fallen world where wounds and brokenness abound, God provides times of healing, recovery, and renewal. He brings comfort, binds up the brokenhearted, and can even redeem what seems destroyed beyond repair.
Some key points regarding this phrase:
- There are appropriate occasions for both killing and healing in life under the sun.
- Though tragic, killing may be necessary in limited cases to defend justice.
- Healing demonstrates God’s grace and offers hope for the future.
- Ultimately, God is sovereign over the times and seasons.
1. Life involves contrasts like killing and healing
Ecclesiastes 3 acknowledges that life often involves contrasts or contradictions. Verses 1-8 list various opposite activities and experiences. For example, there is “a time to plant and a time to uproot,” “a time to tear down and a time to build,” and “a time to weep and a time to laugh.” None of these opposites deny the others’ existence or validity.
Likewise, killing and healing are both realities within life under the sun. We live in a fallen, broken world where evil exists and ideal peace is not fully possible now. There are times when life must be taken, despite how tragic and sobering that truth is. There are also merciful times of restoration and redemption amid the pain. Both occupy their own space in God’s universe.
2. Killing may be necessary as a last resort
While the Bible consistently affirms the sanctity of human life, there are limited cases where taking a life becomes morally permitted or even obligatory. These include:
- Capital punishment – Genesis 9:6 and Romans 13:4 establish that governing authorities have the right to execute convicted criminals as a just punishment.
- Self-defense – Passages like Exodus 22:2 indicate protecting your own life or other innocent lives may warrant lethal force if necessary.
- Just war – Though war is terrible, Ecclesiastes 3 and Romans 13:4 acknowledge defending justice at times requires warfare and killing enemies.
Killing is only acceptable in cases of absolute last resort. Jesus reemphasized the commandment not to murder (Matthew 5:21). But Scripture admits the tragedy that we live in an imperfect world where evil exists. Upholding justice and protecting innocents occasionally demands meeting violence with force. This necessity is part of the “time to kill.”
3. Healing demonstrates redemption and comfort
Healing provides a redemptive contrast to the grave reality of killing. Physical, emotional, and spiritual restoration reflect God’s grace and comfort in the midst of brokenness and pain. Isaiah 61:1 prophesies the coming Messiah who will “bind up the brokenhearted.” Revelation 21:4 promises God “will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more.”
Healing reminds that though weep and laugh, plant and uproot, kill and heal, God’s purposes ultimately prevail. He is able to redeem anything and “make all things new” (Revelation 21:5). Even terrible wounds can become vehicles of God’s gracious healing and restoration in his timing.
4. God remains sovereign over the seasons
Ecclesiastes 3 emphasizes God’s sovereignty over the changing seasons and both the killing and healing they contain. As verse 1 notes, there is “a season for everything” and “a time for every purpose under heaven.” Everything works according to his wise plan.
Though the world is fallen, God remains in control. He is powerful enough to work redemption and healing even in the most broken places. Believers can trust God remains on the throne and will work all things for good (Romans 8:28). The existence of a time for killing does not negate that there will also be appointed times of comfort and redemption.
5. How should Christians approach killing and healing today?
When faced with the realities of killing and healing today, Christians should respond biblically. Here are some important principles to remember:
- Human life is sacred, reflecting the image of God. Murder is prohibited (Exodus 20:13).
- Though deeply tragic, killing in capital punishment, just war, or self-defense may be morally permitted as a last resort.
- Christians should promote forgiveness, care for the vulnerable, value all people, and seek peace.
- God calls believers to minister compassion and healing in his name (Matthew 10:8).
- Ultimately, trust God’s sovereignty over times of both sorrow and joy.
Jesus embodied these principles perfectly. Though he acknowledged the necessity of just force (Matthew 10:34), he also consistently turned the other cheek (Matthew 5:39), showed compassion for outcasts, and sacrificed his life to heal the world. As his followers, Christians are called to promote Kingdom values like mercy, justice, and sacredness of life while trusting in God’s eternal purposes.
6. God hates unnecessary killing
While Ecclesiastes acknowledges there can be a time for justified killing, the Bible strongly condemns murder and unnecessary violence. God opposes wanton brutality and disregard for human life, which violate his holy image and law.
Scripture contains many prohibitions against unjustified killing and oppression of others, for example:
- You shall not murder (Exodus 20:13).
- Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image (Genesis 9:6).
- Do no wrong or violence to the resident alien (Jeremiah 22:3).
- Rescue those who are being taken away to death (Proverbs 24:11).
God holds the wicked accountable for shedding innocent blood. Unlawful killing has fueled his righteous judgment throughout Scripture, as in the Flood (Genesis 6:11-13) or destruction of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 22:17). God cares deeply for victims of violence and murder.
At the same time, God gracefully offers forgiveness and redemption even to murderers who repent. Moses, David, Paul, and many others found new life after taking lives. But murder always bears grave spiritual consequences (Genesis 9:5-6).
7. The cross defeats killing with resurrection and healing
The climactic answer to Ecclesiastes’ cycles of killing and healing is Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross. Though blameless, Jesus was unjustly killed by sinners and for sinners. But his resurrection three days later decisively triumphed over death itself.
The unjust killing of the Son of God ultimately made eternal healing and restoration possible for all who believe in him. As Hebrews 9:22 notes, “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” By willingly suffering violence at evil’s hands, Jesus used it to achieve the ultimate good – saving humanity.
Moreover, Jesus’ resurrection body after the crucifixion represents the full healing yet to come for believers. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 contrasts our current perishable bodies with the imperishable ones awaiting us because he rose. The killing time of this age will be wholly swallowed up by resurrection life in the next (1 Corinthians 15:54-56).
So while Ecclesiastes is true that there are times for killing and healing under the sun, Jesus ushered in a new creation where killing, pain, and brokenness will cease forever. Maranatha!
8. Examples of killing vs. healing in biblical history
Many examples throughout biblical history illustrate the tension between times of justified killing and gracious healing:
- Flood (Genesis 6-9) – God justly killed sinners in the Flood, but afterward promised never again to destroy the earth and provided a new covenant.
- Abraham rescuing Lot (Genesis 14) – Abraham righteously killed oppressors during war to rescue Lot, then declined to take any plunder.
- Exile and return (Jeremiah-Ezra) – Judah’s sin led to the Babylonians’ killing many, but later the remnant healed and rebuilt under Persian rule.
- Jesus’ crucifixion (Gospels) – Jesus was unjustly killed on the cross but then gloriously rose again, providing spiritual healing for eternity.
While containing terrible violence, these stories also demonstrate God’s hand at work redemptively through people and circumstances. The killing led to forms of eventual healing according to God’s wise, sovereign plan in each epoch of biblical history. He works all things for good purpose in the end (Romans 8:28).
9. Killing and healing ultimately point to Christ
Like much of Ecclesiastes 3, the tension between killing and healing points forward to Jesus Christ. He supremely fulfilled and illuminated all the cryptic contrasts in this passage.
Jesus’ blameless death definitively ended the cycles of violence, showing that unjust killing can never have the final say. His bodily resurrection three days later inaugurated the ultimate season of healing that will one day come in fullness. When Christ returns, all wounds will be healed and “death shall be no more” (Revelation 21:4).
Until then, believers walk in hopeful tension, promoting life yet willing to sacrifice themselves like Christ. Jesus set the pattern by defeating the killers on the cross, then offering forgiveness and restoration to all who killed him. His followers continue celebrating the Eucharist, proclaiming Christ’s death and anticipating his return until the inaugurated season of healing culminates in eternal life.
The wise teacher of Ecclesiastes spoke better than he knew. The killing and healing in life under the sun merely foreshadow the redemptive work of the Son of God coming into the world. All seasons ultimately serve God’s sovereign purpose to glorify Christ.