What does the Bible, including Jesus, say about homosexuality? Biblical Encyclopedia / Topical Bible Entry: Homosexuality Below is a comprehensive exploration of what Scripture—encompassing both Old and New Testament writings—says about homosexual activity, along with relevant discussions from Jesus’ teachings on marriage and sexual ethics. All quotations, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the Berean Standard Bible. Scripture references are arranged to provide an organized, thorough overview. 1. Old Testament Foundations 1.1 Creation and the Foundation of Sexuality The Bible introduces human sexuality within the context of God’s creative design. “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27). This foundational premise establishes the binary nature of human sexuality as woven into God’s original creation. In Genesis 2:24, the union of man and woman is depicted as a one-flesh covenant: “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” The emphasis on male-female pairing is the template for marriage, consistently referenced throughout Scripture. 1.2 Historical Accounts: Genesis 19 In describing the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah, Genesis 19:4–11 recounts men of the city demanding sexual relations with Lot’s guests, who were angels in human form. The account highlights immoral behavior at multiple levels, which includes homosexual acts. While this passage also addresses other grave sins (Ezekiel 16:49–50 mentions pride, neglect of the poor, and abominable acts), the sexual violation in Genesis 19 is one of the clearest aspects of Sodom’s guilt. 1.3 Levitical Law Leviticus 18:22 states, “You must not lie with a man as with a woman; that is an abomination.” Likewise, Leviticus 20:13 addresses the same practice as forbidden. These prohibitions appear in a broader context that includes various other sexual sins (e.g., incest, bestiality, and adultery), demonstrating that Scripture draws boundaries around intimacy for Israel, reflecting God’s holiness and will for human sexuality. 2. New Testament Insights 2.1 Teachings of Jesus on Marriage and Sexual Ethics Although the Gospels do not record Jesus specifically saying the word “homosexuality,” He addresses sexual sins and upholds the Genesis model of marriage. In Matthew 19:4–6, Jesus refers to the “male and female” design for marriage, concluding by saying, “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” This citation reaffirms God’s creative intention for marriage as a covenant between one man and one woman. Jesus also underscores sexual purity (Matthew 5:27–28; Mark 7:20–23). These passages broaden the scope of what is considered morally wrong, emphasizing the condition of the heart rather than restricting judgment to only outward acts. While He does not offer a direct commentary on same-sex relationships in the recorded Gospels, His established framework for marriage, sexual purity, and upholding Scriptural commands provides the overarching context. 2.2 Writings of Paul Paul’s epistles explicitly address homosexual behavior: - Romans 1:26–27: “Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way, the men abandoned natural relations with women and burned with lust for one another...” This passage highlights a departure from God’s design, emphasizing that certain acts are not in line with His created order. - 1 Corinthians 6:9–10: “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral... nor homosexuals, nor thieves... will inherit the kingdom of God.” Here, Paul places homosexual behavior among a list of sins. Yet in the following verse, 1 Corinthians 6:11, he offers hope: “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed...” The emphasis is on transformation and redemption offered by God. - 1 Timothy 1:9–11 also categorizes homosexual acts with other sins that contradict “sound teaching,” reinforcing the broader biblical ethic on sexuality. In each instance, Paul addresses same-sex activity as one among various actions deemed inconsistent with the holy living God calls believers to pursue. 3. Scriptural Themes and Interpretations 3.1 Holiness and Love Scripture’s call to holiness includes sexual ethics. While the Bible presents homosexual acts as sin, Scripture also emphasizes love and compassion toward all people. Passages like John 3:16 show God’s love toward the whole world. Likewise, believers are directed to show grace and truth concurrently (John 1:17). This tension invites Christians to affirm every person’s intrinsic worth while also acknowledging the biblical stance on moral behavior. 3.2 Jesus’ Fulfillment of the Law Matthew 5:17–18 underscores that Jesus came to fulfill the Law, not dismantle it. Ethical instructions, including sexual conduct, gain deeper clarity in the New Covenant but remain consistent in reflecting God’s righteous nature. Within this framework, contexts like Leviticus remain relevant as a moral guidepost, interpreted in the light of Christ’s sacrificial redemption. 4. Concerns, Objections, and Context 4.1 Cultural Context and Scriptural Timelessness Critics sometimes argue that prohibitions in Leviticus are purely cultural or overshadowed by ancient Israelite practices. However, the moral dimensions of the Old Testament—in this case, sexual behavior—are consistently carried into the New Testament (e.g., Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 6). Historical documents and early Christian writings (e.g., the Didache, dating to the first or second century AD) likewise maintain these boundaries on sexual ethics. 4.2 Misinterpretation of Key Texts Some modern arguments suggest Romans 1 only references abusive or exploitive forms of behavior. Counterarguments note that the text references mutual actions and specifically addresses both males and females. In context, Paul is describing humanity’s tendency to turn away from the Creator’s intention, highlighting same-sex acts among examples of this departure. 5. Pastoral and Theological Reflections 5.1 Call to Repentance and Redemption Throughout the New Testament, the constant theme is that all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and need salvation through Jesus (Romans 6:23). Homosexual behavior appears as one example of how sin affects human nature, but it is never singled out above other sins in offering or withholding God’s mercy. “[W]here sin increased, grace increased all the more” (Romans 5:20). 5.2 Restoration and Hope Individuals of every background can experience transformation: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The biblical narrative holds forth forgiveness and grace for all, inviting believers to trust in Christ’s redemptive work. This invitation is universal, not conditional upon one’s past. 6. Conclusion Scripture consistently presents homosexual practice, like adultery and various other sexual acts outside of a man-woman marriage covenant, as contrary to God’s design. From Genesis’ creation account to Jesus’s affirmation of one-flesh union between male and female, from Levitical prohibitions to corresponding declarations in the New Testament, the biblical witness addresses same-sex relations as incompatible with God’s intention for human sexuality. At the same time, the Bible declares the potential for repentance, transformation, and redemption for all people regardless of background or personal history. It repeatedly affirms the love of God, exemplified through Christ, who extends salvation to everyone who believes. Romans 10:13 reminds that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” For many interpreters, this forms the unified, scriptural teaching on homosexuality. In summary, the biblical record reflects a consistent stance on the question at hand—rooted in God’s initial design, repeated in the ethical instructions of both Old and New Testaments, and ultimately encompassed by the message of grace and hope found in Christ. |
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