What does the Bible say about gay marriage?

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The Bible teaches that marriage is God’s covenantal union of one man and one woman, and that sexual activity outside this design, including same-sex sexual acts, is sin; yet it also offers forgiveness and new life in Christ to all who repent and believe. Genesis 2:24 and Mark 10:6-9 ground marriage in God’s creation of male and female. Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, Romans 1:26-28, and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 speak against same-sex practices, while Jude 1:7 warns against sexual rebellion. Christians are therefore called to uphold God’s design with humility, love, and obedience, remembering that Christ cleanses sinners and commands love of neighbor (Romans 13:8-10).

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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Mark 10:6-9

    [6] But from the beginning of the creation, 'God made them male and female. [7] For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will join to his wife, [8] and the two will become one flesh,' so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. [9] What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."

  • Leviticus 18:22

    "'You shall not lie with a man, as with a woman. That is detestible.

  • Leviticus 20:13

    If a man lies with a male, as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

    [9] Or don't you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, [10] nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortioners, will inherit the Kingdom of God. [11] Such were some of you, but you were washed. But you were sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God.

  • Jude 1:7

    Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them, having, in the same way as these, given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire.

  • Romans 1:26-28

    [26] For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature. [27] Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error. [28] Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

  • Romans 1:1-32

    [1] Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the Gospel of God, [2] which he promised before through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, [3] concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, [4] who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, [5] through whom we received grace and apostleship, for obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name's sake; [6] among whom you are also called to belong to Jesus Christ; [7] to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [8] First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world. [9] For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the Gospel of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my prayers, [10] requesting, if by any means now at last I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you. [11] For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established; [12] that is, that I with you may be encouraged in you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine. [13] Now I don't desire to have you unaware, brothers, that I often planned to come to you, and was hindered so far, that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles. [14] I am debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish. [15] So, as much as is in me, I am eager to preach the Gospel to you also who are in Rome. [16] For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek. [17] For in it is revealed God's righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, "But the righteous shall live by faith." [18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, [19] because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them. [20] For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse. [21] Because, knowing God, they didn't glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened. [22] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, [23] and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things. [24] Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves, [25] who exchanged the truth of 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 vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature. [27] Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error. [28] Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; [29] being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers, [30] backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, [31] without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful; [32] who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.

  • Romans 13:8-10

    [8] Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. [9] For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not give false testimony," "You shall not covet," and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." [10] Love doesn't harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.

  • Genesis 2:24

    Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh.

  • James 4:12

    Only one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge another?

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