Romans 1:25-27 - God gave them up to dishonourable passions

1:25

Why are they subject to this judgement? “Because they exchanged the truth for a lie”. They chose to worship the created rather than the creator. People are all for us having the freedom to choose, but are far less keen on our taking the consequences of our decisions.

1:26

We now get specific mention of homosexual acts. I have written quite extensively on these verses in my previous run through Romans, so I will just give you the links to these, rather than going over the same ground again.

1. Romans 1:26,27(a) - Homosexuality: Biblical and Cultural Background

2. Romans 1:26,27(b) - Homosexuality: What the Bible Says

3. Romans 1:26,27(c) - Homosexuality: Some Pastoral Comments

This verse is the only direct reference to lesbianism. 

1:27

Paul implies that homosexual relations are unnatural. Such a thought is found offensive by many today, but it clearly does go against the natural design in nature. The reproductive value of gay sex is zero, and the health risks are greater. It is also worth noting that it says “consumed with passion for one another”. One of the arguments that is often brought out is that Paul is only speaking against pediastry, where an older man takes advantage of a younger man. Paul’s teaching is not limited to that situation. First of all, the previous verse has talked about lesbianism, and here he talks about men having given up on heterosexual relations and having lust “for another”. There is no hint at all that this is talking about pediastry, but about people having lust for people of the same sex and indulging in mutual sexual activity. The Bible very clearly says that homosexual acts are wrong.

“Receiving in themselves the due penalty for tier error”. God’s gift of sex is for marriage between one man and one woman. Within that context it is a blessing, outwith that situation it causes no end of problems. And we should note that the vast majority of sexual sin is heterosexual in nature.