Q:  Where does the Bible condemn a loving relationship between consenting gay adults? 

A:  Some people say that seven Bible passages condemn homosexuality.  Others claim nine.  The New Testament has either three or five of them, depending on who you ask. 

Romans 2:1
for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself

This first passage is pretty long, but stick with it so we end up understanding the whole thing clearly.   

1.  Romans 1:18-2:1
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those who by their wickedness suppress the truth.  19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.  20 Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made.  So they are without excuse; 21 for though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened.  22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools; 23 and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles. 

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the degrading of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever!  Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to degrading passions.  Their women exchanged natural intercourse for unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the men, giving up natural intercourse with women, were consumed with passion for one another.  Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons the due penalty for their error.

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind and to things that should not be done.  29 They were filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, covetousness, malice.  Full of envy, urder, strife, deceit, craftiness, they are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, rebellious toward parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.  32 They know God's decree, that those who practice such things deserve to die -- yet they not only do them but even applaud others who practice them.

2:1 Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things.

Wow!  This is a challenging passage!  Let's walk through it step by step.

Verse 23 took me by surprise.  It makes it clear that this whole passage is about idolatry, not homosexuality!  Maybe it shouldn't even be used in the discussion about homosexuals. 

Verse 24 shows that the people committed the degrading passions because God made them.  I don't really know what to do with that. 

Verses 26 and 27 are the ones used to condemn homosexuals, but if we keep them in context, it seems to me that the Bible is still talking about idolatry.  And anyway, the writer is much less specific about the sins committed by women than by men.  So even if the passage isn't about idolatry, it would be hard to use it against lesbians. 

Verses 29 through 32 list a lot of other sins, and it's pretty clear that they are considered to be just as bad.  I don't know how this passage ended up only being used about homosexuality, when there are so many other issues involved. 

And then, verse 2:1 knocked me out!  Paul says that if you judge others, you are doing something just as bad as all of the sins listed above! 

This whole passage surprised me.  There's a lot going on, it's pretty murky, and it doesn't really seem to address the issue we're wondering about.  But it does describe homosexual acts in a negative way, so I'll count it as one passage against homosexuals. 

I just hope the rest of the passages are clearer than this one.

2.  Hebrews 12:16
See to it that no one becomes like Esau, an immoral and godless person, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 

Well, this doesn't mention homosexuality.  I can't count it. 

3.  Ephesians 5:3-5
But fornication and impurity of any kind, or greed, must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints.  Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving.  Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 

This is pretty vague.  There are lots of kinds of impurity in the world, and the passage doesn't say that homosexuality is one of them.  It does condemn fornication, though.  I've got my Oxford Universal Unabridged Dictionary here; let's look up the definition of 'fornication': 

fornication.  n.   1. voluntary sexual intercourse between two unmarried persons or two persons not married to each other.  2. Bible. idolatry.

fornicate.  v.i., ... to consort with prostitutes.

So this passage doesn't mention homosexuality either.  I can't count it. 

4.  1 Timothy 1:8-10
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately.  This means understanding that the law is laid down not for the innocent but for the lawless and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers, fornicators, sodomites, slave traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

OK, the list of bad things includes "sodomy", so we're closer now.  Let's check  Webster's Unabridged Universal Dictionary for the definition of 'sodomy': 

sodomy.  n. 1. oral or anal copulation with a member of the opposite sex. 2. copulation with a member of the same sex. 3. beastiality.

Well.  There are three different definitions of 'sodomy', and the Bible doesn't specify which one it means.  And, again, it lists many sins, so I don't understand how this passage came to be just about homosexuals.

You know what?  I'm going to give this passage one-third of a point. 

5.  1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be decieved!  Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, thieves, the greedy, drunkdards, revilers, robbers -- none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. 

Just like 1 Timothy, the list includes "sodomy", so we're in the same situation.  So, just like 1 Timothy, I'll give this passage one-third of a point. 

6.  Jude 7
Likewise, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which, in the same manner as they, indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural lust, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

Jude doesn't mention homosexuality either.  He just condemns sexual immorality in general, and never says that homosexuality is immoral. 

According to the Bible Dictionary in the back of my RSV Bible, "nobody really knows who Jude was, or what he was referring to."

I can't count this one, either.

Scorecard

Considering all of the uproar about homosexuality these days, the New Testament says surprisingly little about it.  And Jesus Christ says nothing about it.   

I only count one and two-thirds verses that condemn homosexuality.  And, in all honesty, I'm being very generous.  None of them would really stand up to an informed argument. 

If I add these verses to the two verses I generously count in the Old Testament that condemn gay men, I end up with a best-case, biblical total of three and two-thirds verses that condemn gay men, and one and two-thirds verses that condemn gay women.  But this is a very generous total.  None of these verses would stand up to an intelligent argument. 

Q:  Where does the Bible condemn a loving relationship between consenting gay adults? 

A:  Some people say that seven Bible passages condemn homosexuality.  Others claim nine.  The New Testament has either three or five of them, depending on who you ask. 

Romans 2:1
for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself

This first passage is pretty long, but stick with it so we end up understanding the whole thing clearly.   

1.  Romans 1:18-2:1
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those who by their wickedness suppress the truth.  19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.  20 Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made.  So they are without excuse; 21 for though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened.  22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools; 23 and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles. 

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the degrading of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever!  Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to degrading passions.  Their women exchanged natural intercourse for unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the men, giving up natural intercourse with women, were consumed with passion for one another.  Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons the due penalty for their error.

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind and to things that should not be done.  29 They were filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, covetousness, malice.  Full of envy, urder, strife, deceit, craftiness, they are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, rebellious toward parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.  32 They know God's decree, that those who practice such things deserve to die -- yet they not only do them but even applaud others who practice them.

2:1 Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things.

Wow!  This is a challenging passage!  Let's walk through it step by step.

Verse 23 took me by surprise.  It makes it clear that this whole passage is about idolatry, not homosexuality!  Maybe it shouldn't even be used in the discussion about homosexuals. 

Verse 24 shows that the people committed the degrading passions because God made them.  I don't really know what to do with that. 

Verses 26 and 27 are the ones used to condemn homosexuals, but if we keep them in context, it seems to me that the Bible is still talking about idolatry.  And anyway, the writer is much less specific about the sins committed by women than by men.  So even if the passage isn't about idolatry, it would be hard to use it against lesbians. 

Verses 29 through 32 list a lot of other sins, and it's pretty clear that they are considered to be just as bad.  I don't know how this passage ended up only being used about homosexuality, when there are so many other issues involved. 

And then, verse 2:1 knocked me out!  Paul says that if you judge others, you are doing something just as bad as all of the sins listed above! 

This whole passage surprised me.  There's a lot going on, it's pretty murky, and it doesn't really seem to address the issue we're wondering about.  But it does describe homosexual acts in a negative way, so I'll count it as one passage against homosexuals. 

I just hope the rest of the passages are clearer than this one.

2.  Hebrews 12:16
See to it that no one becomes like Esau, an immoral and godless person, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 

Well, this doesn't mention homosexuality.  I can't count it. 

3.  Ephesians 5:3-5
But fornication and impurity of any kind, or greed, must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints.  Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving.  Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 

This is pretty vague.  There are lots of kinds of impurity in the world, and the passage doesn't say that homosexuality is one of them.  It does condemn fornication, though.  I've got my Oxford Universal Unabridged Dictionary here; let's look up the definition of 'fornication': 

fornication.  n.   1. voluntary sexual intercourse between two unmarried persons or two persons not married to each other.  2. Bible. idolatry.

fornicate.  v.i., ... to consort with prostitutes.

So this passage doesn't mention homosexuality either.  I can't count it. 

4.  1 Timothy 1:8-10
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately.  This means understanding that the law is laid down not for the innocent but for the lawless and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers, fornicators, sodomites, slave traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

OK, the list of bad things includes "sodomy", so we're closer now.  Let's check  Webster's Unabridged Universal Dictionary for the definition of 'sodomy': 

sodomy.  n. 1. oral or anal copulation with a member of the opposite sex. 2. copulation with a member of the same sex. 3. beastiality.

Well.  There are three different definitions of 'sodomy', and the Bible doesn't specify which one it means.  And, again, it lists many sins, so I don't understand how this passage came to be just about homosexuals.

You know what?  I'm going to give this passage one-third of a point. 

5.  1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be decieved!  Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, thieves, the greedy, drunkdards, revilers, robbers -- none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. 

Just like 1 Timothy, the list includes "sodomy", so we're in the same situation.  So, just like 1 Timothy, I'll give this passage one-third of a point. 

6.  Jude 7
Likewise, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which, in the same manner as they, indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural lust, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

Jude doesn't mention homosexuality either.  He just condemns sexual immorality in general, and never says that homosexuality is immoral. 

According to the Bible Dictionary in the back of my RSV Bible, "nobody really knows who Jude was, or what he was referring to."

I can't count this one, either.

Scorecard

Considering all of the uproar about homosexuality these days, the New Testament says surprisingly little about it.  And Jesus Christ says nothing about it.   

I only count one and two-thirds verses that condemn homosexuality.  And, in all honesty, I'm being very generous.  None of them would really stand up to an informed argument. 

If I add these verses to the two verses I generously count in the Old Testament that condemn gay men, I end up with a best-case, biblical total of three and two-thirds verses that condemn gay men, and one and two-thirds verses that condemn gay women.  But this is a very generous total.  None of these verses would stand up to an intelligent argument. 

Q:  Where does the Bible condemn a loving relationship between consenting gay adults? 

A:  Some people say that seven Bible passages condemn homosexuality.  Others claim nine.  The New Testament has either three or five of them, depending on who you ask. 

Romans 2:1
for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself

This first passage is pretty long, but stick with it so we end up understanding the whole thing clearly.   

1.  Romans 1:18-2:1
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those who by their wickedness suppress the truth.  19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.  20 Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made.  So they are without excuse; 21 for though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened.  22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools; 23 and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles. 

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the degrading of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever!  Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to degrading passions.  Their women exchanged natural intercourse for unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the men, giving up natural intercourse with women, were consumed with passion for one another.  Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons the due penalty for their error.

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind and to things that should not be done.  29 They were filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, covetousness, malice.  Full of envy, urder, strife, deceit, craftiness, they are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, rebellious toward parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.  32 They know God's decree, that those who practice such things deserve to die -- yet they not only do them but even applaud others who practice them.

2:1 Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things.

Wow!  This is a challenging passage!  Let's walk through it step by step.

Verse 23 took me by surprise.  It makes it clear that this whole passage is about idolatry, not homosexuality!  Maybe it shouldn't even be used in the discussion about homosexuals. 

Verse 24 shows that the people committed the degrading passions because God made them.  I don't really know what to do with that. 

Verses 26 and 27 are the ones used to condemn homosexuals, but if we keep them in context, it seems to me that the Bible is still talking about idolatry.  And anyway, the writer is much less specific about the sins committed by women than by men.  So even if the passage isn't about idolatry, it would be hard to use it against lesbians. 

Verses 29 through 32 list a lot of other sins, and it's pretty clear that they are considered to be just as bad.  I don't know how this passage ended up only being used about homosexuality, when there are so many other issues involved. 

And then, verse 2:1 knocked me out!  Paul says that if you judge others, you are doing something just as bad as all of the sins listed above! 

This whole passage surprised me.  There's a lot going on, it's pretty murky, and it doesn't really seem to address the issue we're wondering about.  But it does describe homosexual acts in a negative way, so I'll count it as one passage against homosexuals. 

I just hope the rest of the passages are clearer than this one.

2.  Hebrews 12:16
See to it that no one becomes like Esau, an immoral and godless person, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 

Well, this doesn't mention homosexuality.  I can't count it. 

3.  Ephesians 5:3-5
But fornication and impurity of any kind, or greed, must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints.  Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving.  Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 

This is pretty vague.  There are lots of kinds of impurity in the world, and the passage doesn't say that homosexuality is one of them.  It does condemn fornication, though.  I've got my Oxford Universal Unabridged Dictionary here; let's look up the definition of 'fornication': 

fornication.  n.   1. voluntary sexual intercourse between two unmarried persons or two persons not married to each other.  2. Bible. idolatry.

fornicate.  v.i., ... to consort with prostitutes.

So this passage doesn't mention homosexuality either.  I can't count it. 

4.  1 Timothy 1:8-10
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately.  This means understanding that the law is laid down not for the innocent but for the lawless and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers, fornicators, sodomites, slave traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

OK, the list of bad things includes "sodomy", so we're closer now.  Let's check  Webster's Unabridged Universal Dictionary for the definition of 'sodomy': 

sodomy.  n. 1. oral or anal copulation with a member of the opposite sex. 2. copulation with a member of the same sex. 3. beastiality.

Well.  There are three different definitions of 'sodomy', and the Bible doesn't specify which one it means.  And, again, it lists many sins, so I don't understand how this passage came to be just about homosexuals.

You know what?  I'm going to give this passage one-third of a point. 

5.  1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be decieved!  Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, thieves, the greedy, drunkdards, revilers, robbers -- none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. 

Just like 1 Timothy, the list includes "sodomy", so we're in the same situation.  So, just like 1 Timothy, I'll give this passage one-third of a point. 

6.  Jude 7
Likewise, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which, in the same manner as they, indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural lust, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

Jude doesn't mention homosexuality either.  He just condemns sexual immorality in general, and never says that homosexuality is immoral. 

According to the Bible Dictionary in the back of my RSV Bible, "nobody really knows who Jude was, or what he was referring to."

I can't count this one, either.

Scorecard

Considering all of the uproar about homosexuality these days, the New Testament says surprisingly little about it.  And Jesus Christ says nothing about it.   

I only count one and two-thirds verses that condemn homosexuality.  And, in all honesty, I'm being very generous.  None of them would really stand up to an informed argument. 

If I add these verses to the two verses I generously count in the Old Testament that condemn gay men, I end up with a best-case, biblical total of three and two-thirds verses that condemn gay men, and one and two-thirds verses that condemn gay women.  But this is a very generous total.  None of these verses would stand up to an intelligent argument.