The Biblical Stance on Homosexuality
The Biblical Stance on Homosexuality: An Expository Sermon on Romans 1:18-32
The world suffers from sin, and its destructive power is evident in countless lives. As Proverbs 7:26 states, "She has cast down many wounded, and all who were slain by her were strong." Sin began as both a personal and a communal failing, and the real danger lies not just in the act of sin but in its devastating consequences on personal and social levels.
Homosexuality is one of the most controversial issues debated throughout history. Despite clear biblical prohibitions, it has, at various times, received support from governments, rulers, and public opinion. This sermon will focus on Romans 1:18–32 as a pivotal passage that addresses this issue on both the textual and canonical levels. Through this text, we will examine the moral, practical, social, and political horizons of this issue, the church's proper response, and how Jesus Christ fulfills humanity's moral demand, offering redemption as good news for all sinners.
Understanding the Text: Romans 1:18–32
The text clearly describes humanity's rejection of God's revelation, leading to moral and sexual decadence:
Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore, God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise, also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness... (Rom 1:19-32 NKJV)
This passage addresses homosexuality explicitly, condemning it as an act that runs contrary to God's created order for humankind. Two critical themes emerge from this text: Knowledge and Exchange.
1. The Theme of Knowledge
In Romans 1:19–32, the apostle Paul repeatedly emphasizes the knowledge of God to establish humanity's culpability.
Initial Revelation (v. 19): Paul states that "what may be known of God is manifest in them," and God has "shown it to them." God’s revelation is two-fold:
In them (Internal): God has implanted a conscience in all people to guide them toward moral right and wrong. Romans 2:15 confirms that the "work of the law [is] written in their hearts," making even Gentiles, who lack the written Law, "a law to themselves" (Rom 2:14). A good conscience works in harmony with God's commandments (1 Tim 1:5).
To them (External): God declares His knowledge through the natural world, His mighty works, and creation itself (Ps 19:1–2). This knowledge is clearly evident, leaving people "without excuse."
Intentional Rejection (v. 21): "Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful." People possessed sufficient knowledge of the Creator but deliberately refused to follow or honor Him. They chose to follow their own desires.
Active Suppression (v. 28): "They did not like to retain God in their knowledge." They actively "kicked God out" of their thoughts and lives, choosing to walk by their own sinful desires while ignoring their Creator, His plan, and His law.
Guilty Knowledge (v. 32): Paul concludes that those who practice such deeds do so "knowing the righteous judgment of God," yet they persist, proving they deserve judgment.
2. The Theme of Exchange
The second theme details the perverse choices resulting from the rejection of God's knowledge: a series of changes and exchanges of the divine truth for falsehoods.
They changed "the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things" (v. 23). This is idolatry.
They exchanged "the truth of God for the lie" (v. 25). This is false worship.
Their women exchanged "the natural use for what is against nature" (v. 26).
Their men, leaving "the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another" (v. 27). This is homosexuality.
The argument is clear: these unnatural practices stem from a prior and willful rejection of God's knowledge and truth. They abandoned the holy habits ordained by the Creator for their own fleshly desires, substituting God's truth with their own falsehoods.
The Canonical Context: Homosexuality Throughout Scripture
The biblical narrative, from Genesis to Revelation, is a single, cohesive story that consistently illustrates God's plan for humankind and His rejection of same-sex relations.
Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19): God destroyed these two cities due to their grave sin (Gen 18:20). When angels visited Lot's house, the men of the city demanded to "know them carnally" (Gen 19:5). Homosexuality was a key component of their ungodly lifestyle, making them "an example to those who afterward would live ungodly" (2 Pet 2:6).
The Mosaic Law (Leviticus 18): Among the unlawful sexual activities forbidden by God, it is commanded, "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination" (Lev 18:22). God warned that the nations before Israel were cast out of the land because they defiled themselves with these immoral acts, causing the "land [to vomit] out its inhabitants" (Lev 18:24-25).
Israel's Decline (1 Kings): Later in Jewish history, the people fell into the same sin warned against in Leviticus. In the days of Rehoboam, "There were also male cult prostitutes in the land" (1 Kgs 14:24 AMP). It is notable that these sinful sexual acts were tied to the worship of other gods, aligning with the pattern of idolatry and immoral exchange seen in Romans 1.
The New Testament (1 Corinthians & 1 Timothy): The New Testament affirms the Old Testament's stance. Paul explicitly warns that the unrighteous, including "fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites," will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor 6:9–10). This is the "sound teaching," and he lists "males who have sex with males" among those for whom the Law is written (1 Tim 1:9–10 CSB).
God's Design: The Bible clearly blesses the holy, dignified, and fruitful relationship between a man and a woman within the frame of marriage (1 Cor 7:2; 1 Thess 4:4-5). Jesus Himself affirmed the original design: "From the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female" (Mark 10:6). Any deviation from this original design corrupts God’s plan.
The Horizons of the Issue
The consequences of rejecting God's knowledge ripple out into every area of human life.
The Moral Horizon: Natural Law and Conscience
The morality of the text points to a natural law inherent in the creation order. Homosexuality is presented as a mental or spiritual battle—a willful choice based on a rejection of God's manifest knowledge.
Significantly, numerous countries with diverse languages, cultures, and traditions have historically criminalized same-sex activities. Whether the punishment is life imprisonment, stoning, or a lesser penalty, the point is the same: these disparate nations are unified in perceiving these acts as a moral decadence. This consensus, despite cultural differences, strongly suggests the universal voice of the conscience—the natural law God implanted in all hearts (Rom 2:14-15). The natural order of male and female pairing for fruitfulness is evident to all, and to reject it is to ignore the "voice of their hearts and thoughts."
The Practical, Social, and Political Horizons
This moral battle has very tangible practical, social, and political implications in contemporary society.
The Political and Practical: In the United States, the 2015 Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, placing American law in direct opposition to the biblical perspective. This shift is a call for believers to pray diligently for society and our leaders, that hearts may be opened to God's grace (1 Tim 2:2).
The Social: The legalization of same-sex marriage has shaped public opinion. Social celebrations like Pride Month (celebrated each June) and the presence of LGBTQ+ teaching and role models in secular education confuse the identity of the next generation. For Christian believers committed to a godly life, these events are a clear expression of a world system that is opposed to God's will (Rom 12:2). This is a political issue (supported by law) and a social issue (celebrated publicly).
Implications for the Local Church
The church must recognize this issue as a spiritual battle (2 Cor 10:4–5). While praying for the LGBTQ+ community is essential, the primary defense is to equip the vulnerable with sound teaching.
Church leaders and parents must diligently teach children God's commandments (Deut 6:7) to fortify the home against the unbiblical, secular spirit of the age. When children are grounded in God's Word and plan, they can stand firm, proclaiming with Joshua, "But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Josh 24:15).
The Gospel of Jesus Christ: Fulfillment and Hope
Romans 1:19–32 describes fallen humanity, yet the text does not end without hope. Homosexuality is a sin—and like any sin, it makes a person guilty before a holy God (Jas 2:10). God condemns all forms of sin, whether disobedience (Adam and Eve) or wickedness (the Flood).
Christ Fulfills the Moral Demand
Jesus lived a pure and holy life, obedient to the Father (1 Pet 2:21). He did not commit this or any other sin. Yet, He was executed for every sinner. Jesus is the role model and the one who perfectly satisfied the moral demands of God's Law that fallen humanity could not meet.
Redemption and Forgiveness
The Good News is that Jesus took humanity's sins and their penalty on the cross. "The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isa 53:6). Although sinners "went astray and refused God," they can choose to "put everything back in its place" through repentance.
Hope for All Sinners: God accepts every sinner, regardless of the severity of their sin. Isaiah 55:7 assures us: "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon."
A Spiritual Battle, Not a Physical Determinant: The wage of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life (Rom 6:23). When considering the question of whether one is "forced" into homosexuality, both the Bible and science concur that this is not a fixed, physical determination. A 2019 study published in Science confirms there is no single 'gay gene.' Therefore, at its core, this is a mental-spiritual battle requiring the renewal of the mind (Rom 12:1–2) and the grace of God.
Homosexuality is a sin that runs deep, like all deep-seated patterns of unrighteousness, but it is not beyond the reach of God's mercy. Only the blood of Christ can ransom the sinner from the wrath of God. When a person submits to God, they can be reoriented through biblical counseling, the transforming grace of the Holy Spirit, and the power of the Gospel.
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