What Does the Bible Actually Say About Homosexuality and Transsexuality? A Deep Dive for the Modern Christian

Frien

ds, fellow believers, and seekers of truth,

The topics of homosexuality and transsexuality are some of the most debated and emotionally charged issues in our culture today. As Christians who hold the Bible as the authoritative Word of God, it is essential that we approach these subjects not with the noise of the world, but with the quiet and humble authority of Scripture. My aim here is to provide a clear, biblical overview of what the Old and New Testaments say, and to consider what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ would have us understand.

The Foundation in Genesis: God’s Intentional Design

To truly understand the biblical perspective on sexuality and gender, we must begin at the beginning, in the book of Genesis. The creation narrative provides the foundational blueprint for God’s design for humanity.

In Genesis 1:27, we read, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." This verse establishes a fundamental truth: gender is not a social construct but a divine creation. God intentionally made two distinct genders, male and female, as a reflection of His image.

This is further expounded upon in Genesis 2, where God forms Eve from Adam’s rib. The climax of this story is found in Genesis 2:24: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." This passage is foundational. It defines marriage as a covenantal union between one man and one woman, and it presents this union as the only context for sexual relations that God Himself established and blessed. This "one flesh" union is the very essence of biblical sexuality.

From this starting point, the Scriptures present any sexual expression outside of this marital bond as a deviation from God's perfect plan.

The Old Testament: Explicit Prohibitions

Moving into the Old Testament law, we find explicit prohibitions against homosexual acts. The book of Leviticus, which outlines God's standards of holiness for His people Israel, contains two key passages:

 * Leviticus 18:22: "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination."

 * Leviticus 20:13: "If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them."

These verses are clear and direct. They define homosexual acts as an "abomination," a term used in the Bible for practices that are a deep offense to God's holy character. While we recognize that many of the laws in the Mosaic covenant were specific to Israel and their separation from pagan practices, the New Testament's treatment of these issues indicates that this prohibition is rooted in eternal moral law, not simply cultural or ceremonial law.

Regarding transsexuality or gender identity, the Old Testament does not use our modern terms. However, it does speak to maintaining the distinction between the sexes. Deuteronomy 22:5 states, "A woman shall not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woman's garment; for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God." This verse is often understood as a prohibition against practices that deliberately blur the God-ordained distinction between male and female. It's a command to honor the unique identity God has given each gender.

The New Testament: A Consistent Testimony

When we turn to the New Testament, we find that Jesus and His apostles do not redefine the Old Testament's view of sexuality. Instead, they reinforce it.

While Jesus did not directly address homosexuality in a way that is recorded, He did something incredibly important: He affirmed the creation account. In Matthew 19:4-6, when asked about divorce, Jesus quotes from Genesis 1 and 2, reminding His listeners that from the beginning, God "made them male and female" and that a man and woman "shall become one flesh." By doing this, Jesus Himself upholds the Genesis model of marriage as the singular, God-intended context for sexual union.

The Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, addresses the topic more directly. In his letter to the Romans, he lays out a powerful case for humanity's need for a Savior, explaining that when people reject the knowledge of God, they fall into various forms of idolatry and sin.

Romans 1:26-27: "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 is a strong statement. Paul describes homosexual acts as "contrary to nature" and a consequence of humanity's rebellion against God. The term "natural" here refers to God’s created order.

In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Paul includes homosexuals in a list of those who will not "inherit the kingdom of God." The Greek words used, malakoi and arsenokoitai, have been debated, but the consensus among biblical scholars is that they refer to those who engage in homosexual acts. It is critical to note that this is not a special condemnation. Paul lists homosexuals alongside fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, and swindlers. The point is not to single out one sin as worse than others, but to show that any unrepentant practice of sin—of any kind—stands in opposition to a life surrendered to Christ.

The Heart of the Gospel: What Would Jesus Do?

This brings us to the most crucial point. If the Bible is so clear on this, how are we as Christians to respond? What would Jesus do?

Jesus's entire ministry was about reaching out to the marginalized and the sinner. He sat with tax collectors and prostitutes, not to affirm their sinful lifestyles, but to offer them something better: redemption, forgiveness, and a new life. He did not say, "You are fine just the way you are." He said, "Your sins are forgiven; now go and sin no more" (John 8:11, paraphrased).

The gospel message for a person struggling with same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria is the same as it is for the greedy person, the gossip, or the liar. It is a message of repentance and faith. It says:

 * You are created in God's image. Your worth is not defined by your desires or feelings, but by your Creator.

 * You are a sinner in need of a Savior. Like all of us, you have fallen short of God's perfect standard.

 * Christ offers forgiveness. Through His death on the cross, He paid the penalty for all sin.

 * Christ offers a new life. The power of the Holy Spirit can transform us, enabling us to live a life that is pleasing to God, a life of holiness and righteousness.

This is the beauty of 1 Corinthians 6:11, right after the list of sins: "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." The gospel is not a message of condemnation, but of transformation.

Our Call to Love and Truth

As followers of Christ, we are called to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). This means we cannot shy away from what the Bible clearly teaches, even when it is unpopular. But it also means we must do so with immense compassion and grace. We are not to be self-righteous or judgmental, for we are all sinners saved by grace.

The call to a holy life is for everyone. It may mean different struggles for different people. For some, it is the struggle with greed; for others, anger; for others still, sexual sin. The Christian life is a lifelong journey of sanctification, of becoming more like Christ.

Our mission is to extend the same love and mercy that Christ showed us—to be a refuge for the broken, a source of hope for the lost, and a living testimony to the power of the gospel to change lives. We must uphold the truth of Scripture, not as a weapon to condemn, but as a lifeline to rescue.

So, let us be firm in our conviction, rooted in God's unchanging Word, and overflowing with the grace and love of our Savior, who came to save all who would believe.

DMMC 9-21-25