"Murder" vs. "Killing"
in a nutshell: Killing is authorized taking a life, murder is not.
While the 10 Commandments prohibit 'murder' it is clear God commanded Israel to carry out His judgments on the Earth in a lethal manner.
In order to determine if which applies to Abortion, we have to determine the difference between killing and murder (or a third option as some suggest, that the fetus is not a person thus does not fall in either category).
What does scripture say about Murder, Killing, and Abortion?
First: Is the unborn a human being who may be killed or murdered? Consider a few passages of scripture:
Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Psalm 139:16
Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
Galatians 1:15
But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace.
Scripture indicates strongly and firmly a resounding 'yes.' Other scriptures speak of John the Baptist moving in his mother when near the Lord Jesus Christ, God's specific plans and knowledge of persons, for the conceived but yet 'unborn' etc.
If this is so, then we'd have to conclude that ending the life of the unborn (as they did all the prophets Matthew 23:30 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16), is killing/murdering.
Which of these two, is evident regarding the life of the unborn?
Does scripture answer the question, "is it wrong to kill the unborn?"
Leviticus 24:19 If someone injures his neighbor, what he did is to be done to him - 20 break for break, eye for eye, tooth for tooth -whatever injury he has caused the other person is to be rendered to him in return.
Exodus 21:22 If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.
23 And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,
24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
25 Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
While many stop at verse 22, it is important to keep reading in the context. The meaning certainly is given that the 'child' departing (no matter how long ago the abuse happened), if with any harm, the man is to be given the same for causing the harm 'unless' there is no harm given at all.
His fate is determined by the condition of the born child.
What is primarily the difference between 'killing' and 'murder?'
We all know, at least in some vague way, that it is okay (not preferable) for someone to protect their home, for a policeman to protect with lethal force, and that soldiers also need to eliminate enemies. We all also know that 'unauthorized' cause of another's death carries stiff penalties.
What is the same, what is different?
Both "killing" and "murder" involve taking a life. Animals are never accused of 'murder' even though they take a life, nevertheless, if they are caught or already in captivity, they are put to death.
Why? Genesis 9:5 says that animals that shed men's blood will be put to death 'because'
man is made in God's image.
Briefly, the difference between is "murder" and "killing" is 1) Justified (a very good reason for killing) and 2) authorization and 3)guilt of the one killed
While man does 'authorize' killing everyday, Genesis 9:5 makes certain that God is the ultimate Author we must give account to for any death we cause OR are party to.
While it may be that the government 'authorizes' ending a life, we yet know many w,ars have caused wrongful death and these are all called 'murders.' It means, regardless if a death is authorized, it also depends on who authorizes it AND whether the end is justifiable on par with ending that life, especially and even so among the unborn. We are in this very discussion as a nation with BLM where we are rightly calling into question whether the ending of particular lives is ever 'justifiable' or 'when' it is deemed so.
How much moreso when we know, for certain, the innocence of the condemned? God upholds the cause of the righteous and the helpless. There can be no other position, then, for His people.
Some have said in thread: Let the dead bury the dead, and let the lawless be lawless as if 'live and ignore' were a mandate. James 1:27, however, says a true and pure faith, 'is to take up the cause for the fatherless (unborn) and the widow.
Paul commends soldiers to carry out their duty before God (Jesus too Luke 3:14).
As Christians, we must vote and act on behalf of the helpless and innocent.