What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality

Law, Grace, and the Heart of Jesus

Recently, there has been much debate over how the Bible speaks about homosexuality and gender. Some quote “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18) to affirm and include those in the LGBTQ+ community. Others point to passages in Leviticus that describe same-sex activity as sin and even prescribe death as a penalty. These verses are real, but how do we understand them today, in light of Jesus and the New Testament? And what about questions of gender identity or people born with both male and female traits?

To answer this, we need to step back and look at the whole story of Scripture.

The Old Testament Laws:

Leviticus 18:22 states:

“Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.”

Leviticus 20:13 goes further:

“If a man has sexual relations with a man … they are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.”

At first glance, these verses sound harsh and shocking. But we must remember that these laws were given to ancient Israel under the Mosaic covenant. Israel was called to be a holy nation, set apart from surrounding cultures (Leviticus 18:1–5). The punishments — including death for certain sins — were part of Israel’s civil and ceremonial code, designed to preserve the nation’s holiness under God’s direct rule.

The key point here is that these punishments were never meant to apply universally for all time. They were tied specifically to Israel’s covenant with God.

Jesus and the Fulfillment of the Law:

When Jesus came, He said:

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17)

Jesus fulfilled the Law by living a perfect life and then taking the penalty of sin — death — upon Himself at the cross (Romans 6:23; 1 Peter 2:24). As a result, Christians are no longer under the civil punishments of the Mosaic covenant. We are under the new covenant of grace.

This truth is beautifully illustrated in John 8, when a woman caught in adultery (also a capital offense under the Law) was brought to Jesus. Instead of calling for her execution, He responded:

“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7)

When the accusers walked away, Jesus turned to the woman and said:

“Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:11)

Here, Jesus neither excused her sin nor condemned her to death. Instead, He offered grace, forgiveness, and a call to repentance.

It is also important to note that Jesus held her accountable because she encountered Him in faith, but He did not hold the unbelieving Pharisees to that same standard. Paul makes this distinction clear in 1 Corinthians 5:12–13: “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside.”

Christians are called to hold one another accountable within the church, but we are not commanded to impose Christian standards on unbelievers. That role belongs to God. Our task is to love, to witness, and to invite others to Christ, trusting Him to transform hearts.

The New Testament on Sexuality:

While the civil penalties no longer apply, the New Testament still affirms God’s design for sexuality.

• Romans 1:26–27 speaks of men and women abandoning natural relations and calls these acts “shameful.”

• 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 lists same-sex behavior alongside adultery, greed, and idolatry as sin. Yet Paul adds: “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.”

• 1 Timothy 1:9–10 includes same-sex acts among many sins that reveal humanity’s need for the gospel.

The consistent message is that God’s design is male–female marriage, and anything outside of that design is described as sin. Yet the equally consistent message is that redemption is available to all through Christ.

What About Gender Dysphoria?

Modern psychology uses the word dysphoria to mean deep distress or discomfort. Gender dysphoria is the distress a person may feel because their biological sex does not match their internal sense of gender.

It’s worth noting that until 2013, this was officially classified as a “disorder” (Gender Identity Disorder) in the DSM, the psychiatric manual. Today, it is no longer labeled as a disorder in itself — rather, the focus is on the distress someone experiences.

From a biblical perspective, we can acknowledge that such struggles are real and painful without denying God’s created design. Scripture affirms that humanity was created “male and female” (Genesis 1:27; Matthew 19:4). Yet at the same time, it teaches that all creation, including our bodies and desires, has been affected by the fall (Romans 8:20–22). Dysphoria is one more way brokenness shows up in a fallen world, and like every form of suffering, it invites us to lean on Christ’s grace.

What About People Born With Both Sex Traits?

Some are born with intersex conditions — biological variations where a person has both male and female traits in their chromosomes, hormones, or anatomy. This is not the same as transgender identity; it is a physical reality present from birth.

The Bible does not use the word intersex, but it does acknowledge categories outside the typical male/female binary. Jesus Himself said, “There are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb” (Matthew 19:12). This likely included congenital conditions that didn’t fit the expected patterns of male or female.

In Isaiah 56:3–5, God promises inclusion to eunuchs who love Him, saying He will give them “a name better than sons and daughters.” And in Acts 8, the Ethiopian eunuch is fully welcomed into God’s family through baptism. These passages reveal God’s heart for people whose bodies don’t fit neatly into our categories.

Throughout history, intersex people were often misunderstood and forced into one sex role or the other. Yet Christian thinkers like Thomas Aquinas still recognized their dignity as image-bearers of God. Today, with greater medical knowledge, we can affirm what Scripture has already shown — that God’s kingdom includes those the world often sidelines.

What About the Science of Attraction and Identity?

Modern research has suggested that genetics, hormones, and prenatal development may influence same-sex attraction or gender identity. While no single “gay gene” has been identified, many scientists acknowledge that biology may play a role.

From a biblical perspective, this is not surprising. Scripture teaches that all creation is subject to the effects of the fall (Romans 8:20–22). That means our desires, bodies, and even identities can be touched by brokenness. But a predisposition toward something does not make it morally right.

For example, some individuals may be biologically predisposed toward anger, addiction, or anxiety. These tendencies are very real and may make life harder, but they must still be surrendered to Christ. In the same way, a biological inclination toward same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria does not redefine what God has declared as good. Science may help explain why certain desires exist, but it does not set the standard for holiness.

Is Homosexuality Comparable to Other Sins?

Yes. In Scripture, homosexuality is listed alongside other sins such as lying, greed, adultery, and idolatry. It is not singled out as uniquely unforgivable but is included in the broader picture of human brokenness.

This means that turning from homosexual behavior is comparable to turning from any other sin. Just as an alcoholic must turn from drunkenness, or a liar must turn to truthfulness, so also one with same-sex desires is called to live in obedience to God’s design.

Each of us has our own battles. As Hebrews 12:1 puts it, we all face “the sin that so easily entangles.” These struggles may look different for each person — pride, lust, gossip, selfishness — but the call is the same: to repent, to walk in faith, and to rely on the Spirit’s power to live a transformed life.

It is also vital to remember that temptation itself is not sin. Jesus was tempted in every way, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Likewise, experiencing same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria is not sin in itself; acting upon it, or allowing it to define one’s identity apart from Christ, is where Scripture draws the line.

A Recommended Read for Those Struggling or Seeking Hope

Before moving forward, I want to pause and speak from my heart. I am not here to condemn or shame anyone — I truly love my gay friends and those who are navigating questions of identity and faith. My intention in sharing any of this is not to wound but to offer hope, clarity, and grace.

If you are someone who experiences same-sex attraction and desires to understand how that fits within a relationship with Jesus, I highly recommend the book Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill Perry. Jackie shares her personal journey from identifying as gay to discovering a deeper identity in Christ. Her story is raw, compassionate, and full of truth — not about perfection, but transformation through grace.

This book has helped countless readers see that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love, and that surrendering to Him doesn’t erase who you are — it redeems who you are meant to be.

What Jesus Would Do?

So, how would Jesus want us to treat those in the LGBTQ+ community today?

• With love and compassion. Jesus summarized the law by saying, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31). This includes everyone. Love does not require affirmation of all choices, but it does require kindness and dignity.

• With truth, not compromise. Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17). Real love does not ignore sin, but it speaks truth in a way that invites people toward God’s grace.

• With the hope of transformation. Jesus declared that He came “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Paul affirms: “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). No one’s identity is fixed forever in sin. Renewal is possible in Christ.

When Leviticus is quoted — whether to condemn or to affirm — the larger story is often missed.

• The Old Testament laws reveal God’s holiness and humanity’s need for a Savior.

• Jesus fulfilled the Law, removing its civil penalties and bringing grace.

• The New Testament continues to affirm God’s design for sexuality, while also holding out the hope of redemption.

• Believers are to hold one another accountable, while leaving unbelievers to God’s judgment.

• And above all, we are called to love — not by excusing sin, but by reflecting God’s heart for those made in His image.

If Jesus were walking among us today, He would not stone or shun those in the LGBTQ+ community. He would sit with them, speak truth, extend compassion, and offer the same invitation He offers to all: “Come, follow Me.”

The cross reveals both God’s seriousness about sin and His unfathomable love for sinners. All of us stand guilty apart from Christ. But because of Him, we can be washed, sanctified, and justified. Our mission is not to condemn but to point people to the Savior who transforms lives.