Fellow Christians: Romans chapter 1 misunderstood?

Question

I'm always trying to get at the heart about why many of us seem to be overly focused on stamping out the sin of homosexuality but not other sins. Many reply to me to look to Romans chapter 1 and read Paul's words. Please understand, I'M NOT ARGUING THAT IT ISN'T A SIN. I'm simply trying to figure out why many have chosen to make it a priortiy instead of adultery, alcoholism or other sins.

The following translation (Eugene Peterson's The Message) makes the often convoluted passage a little easier to understand. It seems to me that Paul is more upset with sex for lust instead of love.

Romans chapter 1:

26 Worse followed. Refusing to know God, they soon didn't know how to be human either - women didn't know how to be women, men didn't know how to be men. 27 Sexually confused, they abused and defiled one another, women with women, men with men - all lust, no love. And then they paid for it, oh, how they paid for it - emptied of God and love, godless and loveless wretches.

Are there any other passages in the New Testament that point toward homosexuality that I've missed?

If the only other passages are in the Old Testament, why do we not then follow all the rules and sins in the Old Testament in the same fashion that we do homosexuality?

Answer 1

It's a good point, homosexuality is just one of the MANY ways people can misuse their sexuality. There's alot done by straight folks too!

Personally, when it comes to sexual purity, the only people I really need to worry about when it really comes down to it - is myself, and my husband.

best wishes

Answer 2

Well, I agree with you a little. All sin is wrong. But some sin is an indicator of just how far a person is away from God. If you read the whole passage starting in v. 18, you will see that when a person drops down into homosexuality, that God has already given up on them. (He gave them over v. 24) At this point they are doomed. It is my interpretation that He has withdrawn the Holy Spirit at that point. This is serious. For the homosexual, I don't think he/she can be in a more dangerous state of mind.
I personally see a tremendous difference between homosexuality and adultery. Adultery is the worst crime a person can commit against another-no question. It is deadly to the family. But homosexuality is unthinkable. And, it is deadly to all of society.

Answer 3

I'd first like to state that I agree with you completely; in fact, I argued this very point with my Mom not too long ago. God does not draw a line in the sand and separate sin into greater or lesser categories. This is why Jesus taught that hating your brother is the same as murder.

Primarily, the Christian position regarding homosexuality is based on two portions of NT Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:9 and Romans 1:18-32. The most controversial of these is 1 Cor. 6:9, because certain irresponsible folks have purposefully mistranslated the meaning of the words "malakos" (translated as "effeminate" in the KJV) and "arsenokoites" (translated as "abusers of themselves with mankind," in the KJV, i.e. homosexuals). One web site that perpetuates these mistranslations is "soulforce.org": http://www.soulforce.org/article/homosex... These folks argue Paul "made up" the words "malakos" and "arsenokoites," and we cannot be certain what they really mean. Soulforce postulates these words only condemn male prostitution. This is blatently incorrect.

Ask any reputable Greek scholar about this controversy; after he/she rolls his/her eyes in complete exasperation, you will be told this: "malakos" is an established Greek word and means "soft or fancy." "Arsenokoites" is a combination of words: "arsen" means male; "koite" means bed, although it's also a pun meaning coitus. Put together, this word refers to homosexual activity.

As for Romans 1:18-32, there are no translation controversies there.

Christians should understand that we are to "hate the sin but love the sinner." This applies to adulterers, murderers, fornicators and other sinners as much as it applies to homosexuals. One sin is not worse than another in God's eyes -- with the exception of unbelief.

Peace.

Answer 4

The reason is perhaps its because homosexuality is filtering into our churches. This makes me mad, it makes God furious along with all the other stuff such as falling over and theatrical tongues etc. God is weeping.

Also, homosexual sin comes just before sexual sins with animals and that is so bad I can't bear to think of it.

Answer 5

1 Timothy 1:10
1 Corinthians 6: 9-11
I thnk that it doesn't matter how many times it can be found as much as the fact that God specifically calls homosexual behavior sin and is strictly forbidden.

Answer 6

We are not to judge anyone that is not Christian. We are not to condemn anyone (condemnation comes from Satan) 1 Corinthians 5:9-13..."I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."
John 3:17 "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." and finally Luke 6:37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." As you see many claim to believe the bible but seldom follow the teaching inside of it...maybe they are just ignorant

Answer 7

I think that people have become use to the sin of adultery, fornication, alcoholism etc.

Homosexuality is still new to many people and they have not yet become hardened to it like other sins.

This hardening of the hart is why many people get angry when they hear the word of God, because it starts to soften their stony hart and they become uncomfortable with things in their lives (they do not want to know of their sins).

Answer 8

i don't think that this scripture ability that God chooses whom He needs to be saved. In reading and examining the bible you're able to desire to comprehend that each little thing written is to not be take actually. The bible is written with use of symbolism and imagery. you're able to desire to understand those area of have a physically powerful information of the written text fabric. sure, all of us know God is sovereign. with a bit of luck we are able to all agree on that. i know the atheist, pagans do not settle for that, yet this question isn't being written to them. using vessel of honor and vessel of dishonor is the symbolism or imagery. it quite is there to coach us a effective lesson. in the course of the time of this writing there many that had an profession as a potter. They made merchandise or vessel of clay as the thank you to help the kin. by utilising utilising the style of symbolism the readers(objective marketplace) of the text fabric ought to perceive with and understand the author. A potter could place a lump of clay upon the potter's wheel. At this ingredient it has no shape. The could start to reason the wheel to coach and start to mould or shape the clay right into a vessel. Now interior the innovations of the potter he has a purpose for this vessel. Its purpose may be a vase, a plate, or a bowl. The clay starts off to take shape. If it takes the form of the potter's concept it quite is a vessel of honor. yet whilst it would not take the needed shape it become a vessel of dishonor. the finished ingredient approximately this vessel of dishonor is that it's not finished or finished. it quite is reshaped or remolded till it turns into same to what's interior the mind's eye of the author or potter. God is sovereign. he's the potter. we are the clay. He helps us to opt for. If we opt for wisely he can reshape us and mould us right into a vessel of honor. we are able to be molded interior the very image of God's mind's eye. it quite is of God's proper will that every physique of mankind could be saved. yet God is omniscience and knows of that some won't repent, subsequently it become His permissive will to allow guy to have his own will and not be saved.

Answer 9

Someone else posted a question a while back referring to eating shellfish being more of an abomination than practicing homosexuality. I responded back to him: Often times it is not what goes into a mans' mouth that defiles him but instead it is more often what comes out of a mans' mouth that defiles him. However, there are certain things that go in and out of a mans' mouth several times per minute that surely defiles him.

Answer 10

Um.. it says that it's wicked. Also God said they shall be burned for there sins. (Well that was before) now you have to ask for forgiveness if you commit homosexuality. Which no gay person has and probably will not.