You are not to Sleep with a Man as with a Woman

Leviticus addresses many issues which do not feel immediately relevant to our lives in the 21^st century. But then, we come across two verses which address one of the most hotly debated topics of our day:

You are not to sleep with a man as with a woman; it is detestable. (Leviticus 18:22 CSB)

If a man sleeps with a man as with a woman, they have both committed a detestable thing. They must be put to death; their blood is on their own hands. (Leviticus 20:13 CSB)

Mentioning these verses raises some questions.

Why Focus on this issue?

Sometimes people ask why we discuss homosexuality instead of other sins or topics.

Well, first of all, I do discuss other sins and topics. For example, I wrote a detailed blog post on why premarital sex is wrong.

Still, there are good reasons to give some special emphasis to this issue. Many churches, Christian denominations, organizations, and individual Christians have been arguing that not all homosexual acts are sinful. This is constantly in the news. Just yesterday I read an article about the CBF taking a step in this direction. These Christians and organizations are not promoting the acceptance of adultery, or incest, or drunkenness, or other sins. They are promoting the acceptance of homosexuality. That’s what makes this an issue worthy of special focus and attention.

Many of the laws in Leviticus no longer apply, so why should this one?

It’s true that many laws in Leviticus no longer apply. Of course, some of the laws still do apply. Many of the other laws covering various forms of sexual immorality right in the same chapter still apply: it’s still wrong to have sex with your mother, sister, aunt, animals, or your neighbor’s wife. But since not all the laws in Leviticus are still applicable, how can we be sure that the law prohibiting two men from having sex is still applicable?

The thing that makes it clear that the prohibition against homosexual acts in Leviticus is still applicable is that homosexuality is also condemned in the New Testament. In fact, the words of the two verses in Leviticus are echoed in Paul’s inspired writing. Although the Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew, a translation of the Old Testament into Greek called the Septuagint (LXX) was in wide use by the time of Paul. Paul uses a Greek word to refer to men who have sex with other men. This Greek word is a compound of two words used in each of the verses from Leviticus.

Because we do not have any examples of the word arsenokoitai being used before Paul used it, some people think Paul himself may have coined this word based on his knowledge of Leviticus. But even if someone else first used this word, Paul’s inspired use of it in 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10 leave no reasonable doubt that the strong prohibitions against homosexual sex in Leviticus still apply today.

Is God only outlawing certain types of homosexual behavior?

Some Christians believe that God was only outlawing certain types of homosexual behavior, such as older men taking advantage of young boys or homosexual rape.  They argue that God never intended to outlaw lifelong homosexual relationships based on love and mutual commitment between consenting adults.

At first, this argument sounds reasonable. But notice in Leviticus 20:13 that BOTH men who engage in homosexual sex were to be put to death. Would this make sense if God had the abuse of young boys or homosexual rape in mind? In both those cases wouldn’t one of the people involved (the boy or the rape victim) be innocent?

Consider the command, “Do not steal” (Exodus 20:15). Certainly, if a gang of highway robbers severely beats a man and steals all he has this is much worse than if a thief sneaks into an empty house and steals some clothing and food. But all stealing is wrong. The command not to steal is a general, broad command. In the same way, we would all agree that older men taking advantage of young boys is a more terrible sin than two consenting adult men having sex. Nevertheless, the command for men not to have sex with other men is a general, broad command. There is nothing in the Bible which hints at any allowable exceptions.

Does this only apply to male homosexuality?

The two verses in Leviticus, as well as the passages in 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy, all specifically condemn men having sex with other men. However, Paul’s very clear inspired statement in Romans identifies both male and female homosexuality as sinful:

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. (Rom. 1:26-27 ESV)

Based on this passage, we can see that all homosexual desires are sinful desires and all homosexual actions are sinful actions.

It doesn’t seem fair?

Sometimes Christians point out that people who are attracted to the same sex did not choose to be this way. And even if they want to change, they often find that same-sex desires do not go away. Is it fair to ask these people to remain celibate their whole lives?

We should acknowledge that those who feel sexual desires for the same sex often have not chosen to feel this way. We should also realize that this creates a very painful, long term (possibly lifelong), intense struggle for some. The question is, does this mean that it is not a sin for some men to have sex with other men or for some women to have sex with other women?

I think this question is best answered by realizing that many people have intense, ongoing, sinful desires which we are called to resist. For example, many married men struggle with sinful desires to have sex with women other than their wives. And sometimes they are not able to have sex with their wives (if the wife is sick, for example) for long period of times. We would never say that it is ok for them to go ahead and commit adultery. Single people still desire sex, but are expected to not to fulfill those desires. Likewise, many poor people desperately want a more comfortable life and the types of things a little more money could buy. We do not tell them to go ahead and steal. Some people do not want to feel a lot of anger, but they do. We don’t say that it is ok for these people to yell at others and hit them. Drug addicts and alcoholics often face long term, very intense battles with sinful desires for drugs and alcohol. In no other situation would we say that the presence of wrong desires justifies sinful actions. So why should this be the case with same sex desires?

I encourage you to think about how the following verses apply to those who struggle with same sex desires. But even more importantly, I encourage you to slow down and really meditate on how these verses apply to whatever types of sinful desires you yourself have.

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no plans to satisfy the fleshly desires. (Rom. 13:14 CSB)

I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don't do what you want. (Gal. 5:16-17 CSB)

How can I study this topic in more depth?

There are many issues related to homosexual sin and those who struggle with it. We should be full of grace and patience with those who are facing such an intense struggle. We will best be able to help them, and to guard others, if we first understand that homosexual acts are sinful. Those who doubt this are not likely to find the path of repentance, grace, and transformation in Christ where they will experience God’s forgiveness, love, peace, and joy even in the midst of long term, difficult struggles.

If you want to study this a little bit further, I believe the book What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality? by Keven DeYoung is a valuable resource.

Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others . . .