The Bible offers numerous verses that address the topic of sexuality, including specific passages that have been associated with homosexuality. These Bible verses for homosexuality provide insight into how Scripture views sexual relationships and behaviors, often sparking theological discussions.
This article explores 30 key Bible verses related to homosexuality, offering context and understanding for those seeking to explore what the Bible teaches on this sensitive topic. By grouping the verses into meaningful categories, we aim to provide clarity on their relevance and interpretation within Christian theology.
Old Testament Bible Verses About Homosexuality
Verses on Sexual Immorality
These verses broadly address sexual immorality, with homosexuality included in discussions of various behaviors that go against God’s intended design for sexuality.
1. Leviticus 18:22 (Moses)
“Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.”
2. Leviticus 20:13 (Moses)
“If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.”
3. Genesis 19:5 (Moses)
“They called to Lot, ‘Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.’”
4. Deuteronomy 23:17 (Moses)
“No Israelite man or woman is to become a shrine prostitute.”
5. Judges 19:22
“While they were enjoying themselves, some of the wicked men of the city surrounded the house. Pounding on the door, they shouted to the old man who owned the house, ‘Bring out the man who came to your house so we can have sex with him.’”
These passages reflect the strong condemnation found in the Old Testament regarding homosexuality, alongside other forms of sexual immorality.
Verses About God’s Design for Marriage and Sexuality
These verses emphasize that God’s intended design for sexual relationships is between a man and a woman in marriage.
6. Genesis 2:24 (Moses)
“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
7. Matthew 19:4-6 (Jesus)
“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
8. Mark 10:6-9 (Mark)
“But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
9. Proverbs 18:22 (Solomon)
“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.”
10. 1 Corinthians 7:2 (Paul)
“But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.”
These verses reaffirm the biblical design of marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman.
New Testament Bible Verses About Homosexuality
Verses Explicitly Addressing Homosexuality
These New Testament passages explicitly reference homosexual behavior and are often cited in discussions on this topic.
11. Romans 1:26-27 (Paul)
“Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way, the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.”
12. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (Paul)
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
13. 1 Timothy 1:9-10 (Paul)
“We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine.”
14. Jude 1:7 (Jude)
“In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.”
15. 2 Peter 2:6 (Peter)
“If he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly.”
Verses Offering Hope, Redemption, and Compassion
Verses Emphasizing God’s Grace and Redemption
Even as the Bible addresses homosexuality and other forms of sexual immorality, these verses provide hope and highlight the redemptive power of God’s grace.
16. 1 Corinthians 6:11 (Paul)
“And that is what some of you were. 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.”
17. John 8:11 (John)
“No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
18. Romans 8:1-2 (Paul)
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
19. Galatians 5:24 (Paul)
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
20. Titus 3:5 (Paul)
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
Verses About Loving Others
While the Bible addresses the issue of homosexuality, it also emphasizes the importance of loving others with grace and truth.
21. John 13:34-35 (Jesus)
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
22. Matthew 22:39 (Jesus)
“And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
23. Romans 13:8 (Paul)
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.”
24. 1 John 4:7-8 (John)
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
25. Colossians 3:14 (Paul)
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Verses About God’s Judgment
The Bible also includes passages that speak to the finality of God’s judgment on all sin, including sexual immorality.
26. Matthew 10:15 (Jesus)
“Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”
27. Revelation 21:8 (John)
“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
28. Hebrews 13:4
“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”
29. Ezekiel 16:49-50 (Ezekiel)
*“Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen
30. 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 (Paul)
“He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.”
The Bible contains numerous verses that address the topics of homosexuality, sexual immorality, and God’s design for human relationships. Many of the Bible verses about homosexuality provide guidance regarding God’s intentions for sexual behavior and the consequences of deviating from His path.
At the same time, Scripture emphasizes the themes of love, grace, and redemption. God loves all His creations, and Christians are called to balance the truth of Scripture with compassion. We are reminded that every person, regardless of their past, can experience transformation and salvation through Christ.
It is essential to approach this sensitive topic with humility, understanding, and a deep desire to reflect God’s love for all people, while also upholding the truth of His Word. Whether you are seeking to understand these verses for personal study, engage in meaningful dialogue, or strengthen your faith, the Bible’s teachings on sexuality offer both challenges and opportunities for reflection on God’s broader purposes for humanity.
