​​What About Biblical Passages Condemning Homosexuality?

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Genesis & “Strange Flesh”

The sin of Sodom, tied to Genesis and Jude, has been misinterpreted. It wasn’t about same-sex relationships but about unnatural unions — fallen angels interbreeding with humans (Genesis 6:1-4). Jude 6-7 describes this as pursuing “strange flesh” — not human sexuality, but spiritual corruption.​

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Leviticus & Family Prohibitions

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The male same-sex prohibitions in Leviticus (18:22, 20:13) sit within family laws focused on incest. The concern was family purity, not consensual relationships. These laws were part of Israel’s ritual codes — like banning shellfish or mixed fabrics — culturally specific, not universal moral commands.​

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What Did Paul Really Mean by Arsenokoitai?

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The word arsenokoitai (1 Corinthians 6:9, 1 Timothy 1:10) is often mistranslated as “homosexuals,” but this distorts Paul’s intent.

Paul wasn’t addressing sexual orientation but spiritual exploitation. His letters repeatedly warn against false teachers distorting the gospel for personal gain.

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Breaking Down the Word

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• arseno- (ἄρσην) = male

• koitai (κοίτης) = bed (often with sexual overtones)

While it seems to mean “men who bed men,” context matters. Paul coined this word — it didn’t exist before him — to describe exploitative leaders, not loving same-sex relationships. Had Paul meant homosexuality, he could have used established terms like paiderastes (pederasty) or eromenos (a young male lover). He didn’t.​

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Paul’s Real Focus: False Teachers

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Paul placed arsenokoitai among sins like killing fathers and mothers (1 Timothy 1:9) — extreme acts of rebellion. It wasn’t about sexuality; it was about leaders abusing their spiritual authority. His concern? False teachers introducing wrong doctrine — distorting truth, manipulating the vulnerable.​

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Romans 1:26-27 – A Critique of Idolatry, Not Orientation

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Romans 1:26-27 isn’t about same-sex relationships — it’s about idolatry. Paul criticizes those who “exchanged the truth of God for a lie” (Romans 1:25). This passage speaks of a spiritual rebellion — people abandoning divine truth for false worship — not loving relationships.

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Conclusion

1. Paul’s real focus was false teachers, not homosexuality.

2. Arsenokoitai referred to exploitative leaders twisting doctrine.

3. Sodom’s sin was spiritual corruption, not sexual orientation.

4. Romans 1 critiques idolatry — not consensual same-sex love.

Mistranslations have fueled centuries of discrimination. Reclaiming Paul’s true intent moves us toward justice, dismantling the false link between scripture and homophobia.

Ultimately, Paul condemned those who distorted the gospel — not those in loving, committed relationships.