The Bible passages most commonly cited regarding homosexuality and sin include:
- 1 Timothy 1:9-10, where Paul lists "homosexuals" among lawless and sinful persons.
- Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, which state that lying with a male as with a woman is an "abomination."
- 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, where Paul includes homosexual acts among behaviors that prevent people from inheriting the kingdom of God.
- Romans 1:26-27, which describes people exchanging natural sexual relations for unnatural ones, often interpreted as condemning same-sex acts.
These passages have traditionally been understood by many Christian groups as condemning homosexual behavior as sinful. However, the interpretation and application of these texts vary widely. Some modern scholars and Christian communities argue that these verses do not address committed same-sex relationships or sexual orientation as understood today but instead refer to specific practices in historical contexts such as temple prostitution, sexual violence, or idolatry-related acts. For example, the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis is often mistakenly cited as condemning homosexuality, but the Bible explicitly relates Sodom's sin to arrogance, pride, and neglect of the poor and needy, not consensual same-sex relationships. Additionally, some Christian perspectives emphasize that while certain biblical passages mention homosexual behavior, the overarching biblical message is about love, reconciliation, and transformation through Christ, with no sin being beyond forgiveness. In summary, the direct mentions linking homosexuality and sin are found mainly in the books of Leviticus (Old Testament) and Pauline epistles such as 1 Corinthians, 1 Timothy, and Romans (New Testament), though interpretations and theological conclusions about these vary significantly across Christian traditions and scholarship.
