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    Theology & Doctrine

    What Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality?

    What Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality? The Bible consistently identifies homosexual practice as outside God's design for sexuality while calling all people to faith, repentance, and God's love.

    Key verse: Genesis 2:24 (KJV)

    The Bible consistently identifies homosexual practice as outside God's design for sexuality while calling all people to faith, repentance, and God's love.

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    Quick Answer

    The Bible consistently identifies homosexual practice as outside God's design for sexuality while calling all people to faith, repentance, and God's love.

    "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." — Genesis 2:24 (KJV)

    The Biblical Answer

    God designed sexuality within the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6). Both Old Testament (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13) and New Testament (Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Timothy 1:10) identify homosexual practice as contrary to God's design. However, several important qualifications apply: all people are made in God's image and deserve dignity and respect. Homosexual desire is one of many expressions of the fallen human condition. 1 Corinthians 6:11 indicates that some in the Corinthian church had been homosexual practitioners but were 'washed, sanctified, justified.' The gospel calls all sinners—regardless of their particular struggle—to repentance, faith, and the transforming power of Christ. Christians are called to speak truth with love (Ephesians 4:15).

    Topic Overview

    What Does the Bible Say About Marriage?

    God's design for marriage, the roles of husband and wife, and building a Christ-centered relationship.

    Key Scripture References

    "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."
    "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another."
    "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."

    Frequently asked questions

    Frequently asked questions

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    Deep Dive Commentary

    For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:

    Related Reading

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    Read it in context

    The answer above sits inside Genesis. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.

    Read Genesis on day 11 of the chronological Bible reading plan

    Keep the verses to hand

    Every verse quoted in “What Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    God designed sexuality within the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6). Both Old Testament (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13) and New Testament (Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Timothy 1:10) identify homosexual practice as contrary to God's design. However, several important qualifications apply: all people are made in God's image and deserve dignity and respect. Homosexual desire is one of many expressions of the fallen human condition. 1 Corinthians 6:11 indicates that some in the Corinthian church had been homosexual practitioners but were 'washed, sanctified, justified.' The gospel calls all sinners—regardless of their particular struggle—to repentance, faith, and the transforming power of Christ. Christians are called to speak truth with love (Ephesians 4:15).

    The Bible calls believers to reserve sexual intimacy for marriage, honoring God with their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit.

    Repentance is a genuine change of mind and heart about sin, turning away from it and toward God.