What Does The Bible Say About Homosexuality
The question of homosexuality and its place within Christianity is one that has garnered much debate in recent years. As believers, it is essential that we seek to understand what Scripture teaches on the subject. While the culture around us continues to shift, the Word of God remains unchanging, offering timeless truth. With humility and reverence for Scripture, we will examine what the Bible says about homosexuality, both in the Old and New Testaments, and explore how we, as Christians, should respond to this issue with grace and truth.
What Does the Bible Teach About Homosexuality?
The Bible speaks clearly and consistently about homosexuality. It is important to note that the Bible addresses homosexual behavior in both the Old and New Testaments. Here are some key passages:
Genesis 19:1-11 (ESV) - The account of Sodom and Gomorrah is often cited when discussing homosexuality in the Old Testament. The men of the city sought to engage in homosexual acts with Lot’s visitors, leading to God’s judgment upon the cities. While some argue that the sin of Sodom was a lack of hospitality, the explicit actions and the context suggest that homosexual acts were part of the sin for which God destroyed the cities.
Leviticus 18:22 (ESV) - “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.” This verse directly condemns homosexual activity as contrary to God’s created order. This command is part of the holiness code given to Israel, calling them to be distinct from the surrounding nations.
Leviticus 20:13 (ESV) - “If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.” This verse reiterates the prohibition of homosexual acts and links the behavior to severe consequences.
Romans 1:26-27 (ESV) - In the New Testament, Paul addresses homosexuality in his letter to the Romans: “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.” This passage clearly states that homosexual acts are contrary to God’s design and are a result of turning away from Him.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (ESV) - “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.” Here, Paul lists various sins, including homosexuality, and reminds the Corinthians that such behavior is incompatible with the kingdom of God, but through Christ, there is redemption.
1 Timothy 1:9-10 (ESV) - “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, for the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine.” This passage echoes the same teaching, listing homosexuality among behaviors that are contrary to God’s law.
How Should Christians Treat LGBTQ Individuals?
As Christians, we are called to love all people, regardless of their sin, but we must also remain true to the standards of Scripture. The Bible gives clear guidance on how to treat both self-proclaiming 'Christians' who identify as LGBTQ and non-Christians in the LGBTQ community. We will explore the biblical framework for church discipline, non-association, and how to love the individual without affirming or accepting their sin.
Treating Self-Proclaiming 'Christians' Who Are LGBTQ
When someone identifies as a Christian but engages in unrepentant sin, including homosexual behavior, the church has a responsibility to address the issue. The Bible calls us to confront sin within the body of believers with the goal of repentance and restoration. This is not an act of condemnation, but rather an act of love that seeks the spiritual well-being of the individual.
Church Discipline: A Loving and Restorative Act
The Bible teaches that church discipline is an essential part of maintaining the purity of the church and helping members grow in holiness. Matthew 18:15-17 (ESV) provides a clear process for dealing with sin within the church:
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”
This passage highlights a process of loving confrontation and correction, moving from private rebuke to public admonition, with the goal of repentance and reconciliation. Church discipline is not punitive; it is restorative. 1 Corinthians 5:5 (ESV) says, “You are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.” The purpose of discipline is not to punish but to bring the individual back into fellowship with God, ultimately for their salvation.
When it comes to a Christian who is engaged in unrepentant homosexual behavior, the same principles apply. The church must address the sin and call the individual to repentance. If they refuse to turn from their sin, they must be removed from fellowship, so that they may experience the weight of their sin and hopefully return to Christ in repentance. This process is difficult, but it is done with the hope that the individual will be restored to God.
The Role of Non-Association
Paul addresses the issue of non-association in 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (ESV):
“I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. ‘Purge the evil person from among you.’”
Paul makes it clear that believers should not associate with those who claim to be Christians but are living in unrepentant sin. This does not mean we are to cut ourselves off from non-believers or avoid engaging with people who identify as LGBTQ in the broader culture. However, within the church, we are called to hold one another accountable. If someone claims to be a Christian but refuses to repent of sinful behavior, including homosexuality, we must not continue to fellowship with them as though nothing is wrong. This is a difficult but necessary part of maintaining the integrity of the church and protecting the spiritual health of its members.
Loving the Individual, Not Accepting or Affirming the Sin
A central aspect of the Christian faith is love. Jesus commands us to love our neighbors, including those who are caught in sin, and even to love our enemies. But love does not mean approval or affirmation of sinful behavior. Romans 1:26-27 (ESV) teaches that homosexual acts are contrary to God’s design, and while we must love those who are engaging in such acts, we cannot condone the behavior.
In the same way that we would not affirm any other sin—such as adultery, theft, or greed—we cannot affirm homosexuality as a valid lifestyle. But this does not mean we should treat those who identify as LGBTQ with anything less than compassion. Ephesians 4:15 (ESV) instructs us to “speak the truth in love.” This means we must be clear about the biblical stance on homosexuality while maintaining a posture of grace and kindness toward the individual. We must remember that all people, regardless of their sin, are image-bearers of God and worthy of dignity and respect.
Jesus Himself exemplified this balance. He interacted with sinners, showing them love and offering them grace, but He never affirmed their sinful behavior. In John 8:1-11 (ESV), Jesus encounters a woman caught in adultery. He offers her grace, saying, “Neither do I condemn you,” but then He calls her to repentance, saying, “Go, and from now on sin no more.” Jesus shows us that love and truth must always go hand in hand.
The Power of the Gospel
The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). While we cannot condone sin, we must remember that the gospel offers hope and transformation. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (ESV) reminds us that some in the Corinthian church were once engaged in the same sins, including homosexuality, but they were washed, sanctified, and justified through the name of Jesus Christ. The gospel has the power to bring about real change in the lives of individuals, and we must trust in that power as we minister to those in the LGBTQ community.
How to Respond with Grace and Truth
When a self-proclaiming Christian in the LGBTQ community refuses to repent, our response must be rooted in grace and truth. We speak the truth in love, calling them to repentance and reminding them of the hope of the gospel. We do so with humility, recognizing that we are all sinners in need of God’s grace. We must also be patient, praying for them and seeking opportunities to continue showing Christ’s love, while maintaining a clear stance on biblical truth.
For non-Christians who identify as LGBTQ, our response should be one of compassion and evangelism. We should befriend them, show them Christ’s love, and be ready to share the gospel with them. However, we should never compromise the truth of Scripture in an attempt to gain favor or avoid confrontation. We must be clear that while we love them as individuals, we cannot affirm their lifestyle as compatible with God’s Word.
Grace and Truth: The Christian’s Role in a Changing Culture
As Christians, we are called to stand firm on the truth of Scripture, but we must do so with love and humility. Jesus Himself modeled this perfectly. John 1:14 (ESV) says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” In our interactions with LGBTQ individuals, we must reflect this balance—holding fast to the truth of Scripture while showing the love of Christ.
The culture around us may become increasingly hostile to biblical views on homosexuality, but our response must be one of unwavering faithfulness to God’s Word, always tempered with love and a desire to see others come to know the truth of the gospel.
Conclusion
The Bible’s teaching on homosexuality is clear: it is not in accordance with God’s design for human sexuality. However, as Christians, we are called to respond with grace, truth, and compassion toward those who are caught in sin. Whether they are fellow believers or those outside the faith, we are to lovingly call them to repentance, offering the hope of the gospel that can bring transformation and healing.
In all things, may we reflect the love and truth of Christ, standing firm on His Word while reaching out to a world in need of His grace.
Scripture References
Genesis 19:1-11
Leviticus 18:22
Leviticus 20:13
Romans 1:26-27
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
1 Timothy 1:9-10
Ephesians 4:15
John 1:14