What does the Bible teach about homosexuality?
This article will explain what the Bible says about homosexuality. In an attempt to keep this article brief (on a complex and controversial issue), the answers have been provided in a short Q&A format. This article seeks to be as honest and concise as possible. Because of this, certain parts of the article may come off as “blunt.” We hope that you receive this as our attempt to give clear and helpful answers on a complex topic that has become convoluted over the last decade, rather than an oversimplification or reductionistic argument. If you are someone who struggles with same-sex attraction, we would love to discuss this issue with you more, because we know that this article probably does not address all of your questions.
Where does the Bible say that homosexuality is a sin?
The Bible teaches that homosexuality is a sin in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. There are many passages we have not included below. But here are a few of the more relevant ones from each testament:
Leviticus 18:22 - You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.
Leviticus 20:13 - If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.
Romans 1:26–27 - 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, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
1 Corinthians 6:9–11 - Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Timothy 1:9–10 - understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine.
Jude 7 - just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.
Is it inconsistent for Christians to condemn homosexuality while partaking in other things condemned in the Old Testament, like eating pork?
It is true that Christ has fulfilled the Old Testament Mosaic Law, and Christians are no longer bound by things such as not eating pork, not eating shellfish, offering sacrifices, not mixing two types of materials in one’s clothing, etc. However, though we are not under Jewish ceremonial laws, we are still bound to obey the New Testament’s teaching on sexuality which consistently calls homosexuality sinful. It is important to note that homosexuality is condemned under both the Old Covenant and the New Covenant (which is why the texts above are taken from both the Old Testament and the New Testament). The Christian who believes that homosexuality is sin, while also believing that they can now freely eat pork has properly understood the relationship of the two testaments. Israel was under certain regulations for a time--but now that Christ has fulfilled all of those, we are under the “Law of Christ” (1 Cor 9:21), which continues to condemn homosexual activity.
Is it true that the Bible only condemns some types of homosexuality but not all homosexuality?
No. The Bible is consistent in condemning every form of homosexuality. The Bible teaches that the act of homosexuality, in and of itself, is what is sinful, not merely certain types of homosexuality. The Bible condemns “homosexuality” itself -- meaning, the sexual act between two individuals of the same sex.
The act of homosexuality itself is called a “dishonorable passion,” and “contrary to nature” (Rom 1:26). It is a mark of idolatry, “impurity,” and “dishonoring their bodies” (Rom 1:24). It is condemned simply on the basis of a man being sexual with a man, or a woman being sexual with a woman (1 Cor 6:9). Homosexuality is also called “sexual immorality” (Jude 7; 1 Tim 1:10) which the Bible condemns repeatedly.
Some will say that the Bible is just condemning pederasty (where an adult sleeps with someone who is under-age). That is certainly sinful. The problem with saying that this is the only thing the Bible is condemning is that the texts above 1). mention adults partaking in homosexuality and 2) there is no mention of pederasty.
Some will say that the Bible is just condemning homosexuality that is not in a loving, committed relationship. The problem with that line of reasoning is that it is the act itself (not the commitment level of the people committing the act) which is condemned. In fact, the type of homosexuality that Romans 1 condemns even appears to be consensual because they are given over to their depraved “desires,” – they want to do it. The problem is not merely how many partners they have, but the biological sex of (even their one, committed) partner.
Some will say that the Bible is just condemning homosexuality when it is practiced by non-homosexuals. But that is not the reason given in the actual biblical texts. The Biblical reason is that the act itself (regardless of the internal state of the person) is “dishonorable” and “sexually immoral.”
Some will say that the Bible is just condemning homosexuality because people in the past didn’t know as much about it as we do today; if God was as enlightened as we are, he would not have forbidden it. First, that argument is not true historically (homosexuality was more common in the Greco-Roman world and was often seen as “natural,” such as in Plato’s Symposium). Second, that’s not the reason the Bible actually gives. The text says the act itself is “contrary to nature.” The problem is not that people just didn’t know as much about the psychology of homosexuality; the problem with homosexuality, according to the Bible, is that it was not God’s design for human sexuality, even from the beginning (Gen 2:24; Eph 5:31; and Matt 19:5).
Basically, homosexuality is the sexual activity of a man with a man or a woman with a woman, and it is this activity which the Bible explicitly condemns. The various circumstances mentioned above are merely distractions from what the Bible clearly teaches.
Is it true that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of inhospitality, not homosexuality?
It is actually both. The story in Genesis mentions that the men in Sodom were “wicked and great sinners against the Lord” (Gen 13:13) which is shown in the story by their desire to have sex with men (Gen 19:5), and because of their inhospitality to the strangers. However, Jude 7 explicitly mentions their sexual sin as one of the reasons they were destroyed.
Was King David gay?
Some will say that King David was gay because he had a friend named Jonathan that he was close to. However: 1). The text never says they did anything sexual nor had a romantic relationship, 2). The Bible often says that people love each other in platonic, non-sexual ways, 3). David had several wives, so it appears that he was sexually attracted to women, and 4). Even if David had done something sexual with Jonathan (which he did not), that would not mean that the Bible approved of it. For example, David coveted another man’s wife (Bathsheba), got her pregnant, and had her husband killed. But David sinned under the commands of the Old Testament which means that he was condemned for his coveting, adultery, and murder under the law. The same Law in the Old Testament also condemned homosexuality. And so, under this law he would likewise be condemned had he engaged in any sort of homosexuality.
How can God ask you to change who you are?
Two important things here: The gospel demands that you change who you are. Better yet, Christ changes who you are. Every single person is commanded to leave their previous identity of sin behind them and to walk in a new identity given to them in Christ. We all have to “change who we are” when we become Christians. This is true regardless of the sins with which a person might struggle.
Second, this question assumes that one’s sexuality is one’s identity. This is not true. You are not your temptations. Homosexuality is only an act. It is not an identity. Even when the Bible uses the phrase “homosexual” it is not using it as an identity but as a moniker for “one who practices acts of homosexuality.” If someone does a cartwheel, they are not a “cartwheeler” with an identity of “cartwheeling” that can never change. Doing a cartwheel is only an act. The same is true with homosexuality.
In that sense you are not being asked to change who you are; the truth is, you actually misidentified who you were to begin with. You were never a “homosexual”; rather, you were merely someone who committed the sinful act of homosexuality.
Is homosexual desire sinful, even if I don’t act on it?
There are two things to realize in this question. On the one hand, to be tempted toward something and resist it is righteous and is not sinful. In that sense, you are not sinning; you are doing exactly what the Bible commands. On the other hand, we have to realize that the only reason anyone has homosexual desires in the first place is due to the fall of man. In this sense, homosexual desire is sinful. In eternity, a Christian won’t struggle with this sinful desire. So, to be tempted is not sinful, but this temptation is a desire that is contrary to God’s will (which means that it is due to sin). In this sense even our temptations can be sinful because they come from a heart corrupted by sin.
Those without sin (Adam, before the fall, and Jesus) could be tempted, but only from the outside (because they didn’t have a sin-nature). This is why the devil has to come to them to try to trick them. We, however, have a sin-nature and are tempted by things inside of us that are contrary to God’s word.
Is it true that Jesus never condemned homosexuality?
This question assumes three ideas that are unbiblical. First, it assumes that the teachings of Jesus are in conflict (or are more important than) the rest of the Bible. Remember: when Paul speaks, Jesus speaks, because the Bible is inspired by the same Holy Spirit. When Romans condemns homosexuality, that is the same as God himself (Jesus included) condemning homosexuality. Second, Jesus never says that you shouldn’t poison a federal judge. Does that mean that it is okay to poison a federal judge? No. That’s not how Scripture works. One has to take the Bible as a whole to know what God says. Third, this claim is just not true. Jesus explicitly condemns “sexual immorality” (greek “porneia”) which is a term that, as we know from other Greek and Jewish writings in the first century, includes homosexuality. So Jesus does condemn homosexuality; he just uses a different word to do it.
May I identify as a “gay Christian” as long as I don’t practice acts of homosexuality?
Absolutely not. The Bible gives you one identity…Christ. Your sins have been forgiven, and in Christ, your former identities die away (Gal 3:28). You are not your temptations…you are just a Christian. Though it is true that everyone posseses non-sinful identities/labels (such as being a student, a father, or an athlete), to call yourself a “gay Christian” is to relish in a sinful identity that is no longer true of you. It is to deny the healing power of the cross. It is to say that your identity is still found in your evil desires. Someone tempted to commit adultery is not an “adulterous Christian” post conversion. Someone tempted to cheat on their taxes is not a “tax-cheating Christian.” We are just Christians and we should be minimizing, downplaying, and getting rid of (not identifying with!) our evil desires.
Is homosexuality just one of many sins?
It is true that homosexuality is a sin. And it is true that there are a lot of other sins. And like other sins, homosexuality needs to be confessed, repented of, and turned away from. However, often times people use this question to imply two unbiblical things:
Some people assume having sex with someone of the same gender is just as bad as telling a “white lie” or stealing a cookie – that it’s not such a big deal. This is not true. Homosexuality is the sin God uses to show us what idolatry is like. It is an especially grievous sin. All sins are equal in the sense that they rebel against God. But the Bible is clear that some sins are worse and come from a more evil heart than others (John 19:11; Ezekiel 8:6; Matthew 5:19; Numbers 15:27-31, etc.).
Second, people forget that all sins have to be repented of. They have to be turned away from and fought with all of one’s might. Often times the idea that “homosexuality is just one sin among many,” is used as a way for people to keep doing it – to keep living in that sin. If one wants to obtain salvation they have to give this sin over to Jesus. They cannot act like it is okay to pursue it just because other people sin too. Other people do sin, but Christians repent of and fight their sin; they don’t just give themselves over to it.
Is it relevant that homosexuality is only mentioned a few times in the Bible?
It is not. The Bible only needs to mention something once for it to be authoritative. But, in addition to being mentioned by name several times, it is also covered by the term “sexual immorality” which linguistically included homosexuality.
If it doesn’t hurt anyone, why can’t I do it?
First, it does hurt someone. Helping someone sin against God causes great spiritual harm and pushes them further away from salvation. Studies have also shown that it mentally and even physically does hurt someone. The rate of suicide among practicing homosexuals is higher than the national average (as well as the chance of having an STD).
But that’s not the main issue. Whether or not something “hurts someone” is not what makes something sinful. Something is sinful if it goes against the Bible. A single man who has sex with a woman who is not his wife may not think he’s hurting anyone, but it is still sin because the Bible forbids fornication.
If it’s not natural, why do we see homosexuality in nature?
Two things to think about here: First, just because something occurs in nature doesn’t mean we should emulate it. Mothers eat their young in nature. Animals steal food from each other in nature. Male lions rape female lions in nature. Just because something happens doesn’t mean it is good.
Second, what happens in nature is not “natural” because we live after the fall of man. Biblically, everything was created good (it was “natural”) but after Genesis 3 everything becomes broken. Humans die; the ground bears thorns and thistles; women experience pain in childbearing. The reason some animals commit homosexual acts is because the sin of mankind has broken the world (including the animals) that mankind was commanded to care for, not because that is how it was originally intended to be.
To say it another way, nothing is “natural” after Genesis 3. We have to see what the Bible says to know what is truly “natural,” and homosexuality is explicitly called “unnatural” in Romans 1.
Is it unhealthy or unloving to ask someone to suppress their sexual urges?
First, we ask people to do that all the time. It is unhealthy not to suppress your sexual urges. If someone has a desire for incest or rape, we all agree that those urges should definitely not be acted on. Additionally, the Bible is not asking people to “suppress” their sexual urges (in the sense of pushing those feelings down deep inside their soul). It is asking them to confess their urges. It is asking them to take desires they have and give them over to Jesus so they don’t have to carry them (or suppress them) anymore.
If I struggle with same sex attraction, does this mean that I have to just be single for the rest of my life?
This is a fair question. First, this question assumes that God cannot change your desires. But biblically, he can. The popular lie that, “I was born gay, so I have to stay this way,” is not only a bad argument but is completely anti-gospel. All Christians at one time had desires that hated Christ, and now our desires are for him. God changes your desires and can change this one too.
Second, this question assumes that being single is somehow a less-fulfilling life than being married. Jesus lived the most fulfilling life ever - as a single guy. Paul even says that, for the purposes of ministry, it is better to be single (1 Cor 7:32-38). The idea that having sex is somehow necessary to be happy is unbiblical.
What do I do if I have same-sex attraction?
If you struggle with same-sex attraction you need to hear the good news that Jesus loves you and he has died to give life to those who want it. Jesus is the one who will actually satisfy the deep longing you have for joy. Jesus is the one who can actually provide the love that you need. His commands, even against homosexuality, are for your ultimate joy. You don’t have to get rid of your desires, you just have to come to Jesus. Come to Jesus broken and hurting and see if he does a work in your heart. You may struggle with this temptation until you die. But we all struggle with unrighteous desires until we die. What Christ asks is that you follow him, accept him, and fight your sin.
We would also encourage you to confess your struggle to others. This could be your community group leader, a pastor or elder, or a staff member at the church. Sin grows in the dark, so it is important to have other Christians praying for you and speaking into your life.
