Few topics today spark as much debate, emotion, and deep personal reflection within the church as the question of same-sex attraction and relationships. For many, this isn’t just an abstract theological debate; it involves our sons, daughters, friends, and even our own internal struggles. In a world that is rapidly changing its cultural norms, many believers and seekers are turning to the Word of God for clarity.
When we ask, what does the Bible say about homosexuality, we must approach the conversation with two hands held open: one holding the hand of Truth and the other holding the hand of Love. As Christians, we are called to follow the example of Jesus Christ, who was full of both “grace and truth” (John 1:14). Our goal today is not to condemn or to ignore, but to look honestly and compassionately at the biblical text to understand God’s design for human sexuality.
Table of Contents
- Why Christians Ask This Question
- Old Testament References in Context
- What the New Testament Says
- What Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality?
- Sin, Grace, and the Message of the Gospel
- Common Questions Christians Ask
- How Should Christians Respond According to Scripture?
- Conclusion: Walking in Truth and Love
Why Christians Ask This Question
We live in an era of significant cultural shifts. Within just a few generations, societal views on marriage and sexuality have transformed. For many Christians, this creates a tension. On one hand, we want to love our neighbors as ourselves, as Jesus commanded. On the other hand, we have a sincere desire to remain faithful to the Scriptures as our final authority for life and godliness.
This discussion is often driven by a desire for consistency. We want to know how to align our faith with the Bible while living in a pluralistic society. It is important to acknowledge at the outset that every person—regardless of their attractions or experiences—is an image-bearer of God (Genesis 1:27) and is deeply loved by the Creator. Understanding homosexuality in the Bible requires us to look at the “big picture” of God’s design for humanity.
Key Bible Passages Often Cited: The Old Testament
To understand the Christian view on homosexuality, we must begin at the beginning. Most biblical scholars point to God’s original design for marriage as the framework for all sexual ethics.
Genesis: The Blueprint
In Genesis 2:24, God establishes the blueprint for human marriage: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Jesus later affirms this specific design in Matthew 19:4-6. This “complementarity”—the joining of male and female—is presented as the unique context for sexual intimacy.
The Holiness Code in Leviticus
The most direct Bible verses about homosexuality in the Old Testament are found in the book of Leviticus:
- Leviticus 18:22: “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.” (ESV)
- Leviticus 20:13: “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination…” (ESV)
While some argue these were merely cultural purity laws for ancient Israel, many theologians point out that these prohibitions are found within the “Moral Law” sections that deal with sexual ethics, distinct from ceremonial laws about food or clothing. The historical context suggests that God was setting His people apart from the pagan nations around them, whose sexual practices were often tied to idolatry and exploitation.
What the New Testament Says
The New Testament continues the theme of the Old Testament but places it within the context of the New Covenant in Christ. There are three primary sections where homosexuality in the Bible is addressed.
Romans 1:26–27
In this letter, the Apostle Paul describes humanity’s turn away from God toward idolatry. He writes:
“For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another…” (ESV)
Theological scholars generally interpret “contrary to nature” here as a departure from the “nature” established in Genesis—the male-female design. Paul uses this as an example of the general human condition of seeking our own desires over God’s design.
1 Corinthians 6:9–11 and 1 Timothy 1:9–10
Paul includes “men who practice homosexuality” (ESV) in lists of various behaviors that are contrary to the Gospel. However, it is vital to see the verses that follow in 1 Corinthians 6:11: “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ…”
This indicates that in the early church, there were individuals who had previously engaged in same-sex behavior but had found a new identity and a new way of living in Christ.
What Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality?
When we synthesize these passages, the consistent biblical teaching is that sexual intimacy is reserved for a covenant marriage between one man and one woman. Consequently, the Bible presents same-sex sexual behavior as a departure from God’s original created intent.
However, it is biblically necessary to make several distinctions:
Behavior vs. Temptation
The Bible focuses on actions and the internal “passions” that lead to them. Feeling a temptation is not the same as committing a sin. Jesus was tempted in all ways as we are, yet was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). A person may experience same-sex attraction without choosing to act on those attractions in a way that violates Scripture.
Identity in Christ
The world often encourages us to find our primary identity in our sexual orientation. The Bible, however, calls the believer to find their primary identity in Christ. For the Christian, our desires do not define us; our relationship with Jesus does.
Sin, Grace, and the Message of the Gospel
A balanced study of is homosexuality a sin according to the Bible must be framed by the universal need for grace. Romans 3:23 reminds us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
No single sin “ranks” higher in a way that excludes a person from the reach of the Gospel. The same lists in 1 Corinthians that mention same-sex behavior also mention greed, gossip, and pride. We are all in the same boat—broken people in need of a Savior. The Gospel message is one of repentance (turning toward God) and redemption (being made new).
God’s grace is not a license to continue in what He calls sin, but rather the power to live a life that honors Him.
Common Questions Christians Ask
Does the Bible condemn the person or the action?
The Bible consistently condemns the behavior, but it expresses profound love for the person. God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).
Can someone be gay and Christian?
If by “gay” someone means they experience same-sex attraction, then yes. Many faithful Christians experience these attractions while choosing to live a life of celibacy or pursuing traditional marriage in accordance with their convictions. If by “gay” someone means they are actively pursuing a lifestyle contrary to biblical teaching without a desire for repentance, this creates a significant conflict with the biblical call to lordship and obedience.
How should Christians respond to the LGBTQ+ community?
The biblical response is one of “radical hospitality.” We should be the first to offer a seat at the table, the first to listen, and the last to cast a stone. Loving someone does not require compromising our convictions, and holding to convictions does not require us to be hateful.
How Should Christians Respond According to Scripture?
Our response must be modeled after Jesus, who was often criticized for being a “friend of sinners” while never shying away from calling people to “go and sin no more.”
1. Love Without Compromise
We are called to love our neighbors. This means standing against bullying, hatred, and dehumanization. It means being a safe place for people to process their struggles without fear of immediate rejection.
2. Truth Without Hatred
We must hold to the truth of Scripture, but we must speak that truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). If our “truth” is spoken with a sneer or a spirit of superiority, we are not representing Christ well.
3. Humility and Self-Examination
Before we address the struggles of others, we must look at our own hearts. Matthew 7:3–5 warns us about looking at the speck in our brother’s eye while ignoring the log in our own. A humble Christian recognizes that they, too, are a work in progress, saved only by the mercy of God.
Conclusion: Walking in Truth and Love
So, what does the Bible say about homosexuality? It presents a vision for human sexuality that is beautiful, specific, and centered on the union of man and woman in marriage. It also presents a God who is infinitely compassionate toward those who struggle, offering grace and a new identity to all who come to Him.
If you are reading this and you feel the weight of this topic personally, know that you are seen and loved by God. His call to holiness is not a call to a diminished life, but to a life of flourishing in alignment with His design. Redemption is available to everyone, and the church is called to be a community where we help one another walk toward Christ.
Let us be a people who hold fast to the Word of God while opening our hearts wide to every person, remembering that the goal of the commandment is “love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5).
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