What does the Bible say about God, love, and homosexuality?

I. God as Revealed in Scripture

Scripture consistently presents God as the eternal, all-powerful Creator of the universe (Genesis 1:1). He is sovereign, sustains all things, and is both transcendent—beyond time and space—and immanent—personally involved with humanity. As Isaiah 46:9–10 declares: “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. I make known the end from the beginning…” This passage affirms His perfect knowledge and control over all events.

God’s nature is further revealed through His moral attributes, including His holiness (Leviticus 11:44), His righteousness (Psalm 145:17), and His grace (Ephesians 2:8). These attributes shape His love and His perfection in justice and mercy. Archaeological and textual evidence, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, offers support for the consistency and accuracy of Old Testament depictions of God’s attributes, showing that these attributes have been preserved throughout millennia without substantive alteration.

II. The Centrality and Depth of Love

God’s nature is described in the Bible as love—1 John 4:8 states, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” This teaching underscores that every facet of His nature and every interaction with humankind is grounded in compassionate concern for His creation.

1. God’s Redemptive Love

The ultimate demonstration of divine love is the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (John 3:16). This act is the heart of the gospel message: humanity, separated from God by sin, can be reconciled and restored through Christ’s atonement (Romans 5:8).

2. Human Love for God and Neighbor

Jesus summarized the law with two commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–39). This underscores that biblical love is not merely an emotion but an active commitment to seeking the good of others in accordance with God’s will.

3. Transformational Love

The Bible frequently emphasizes that those who truly know God and receive salvation through Christ will be transformed to practice love in all relationships (1 John 3:16–18). This love carries with it compassion, humility, and service, aiming to restore and build up rather than tear down.

III. Homosexuality in the Context of Scriptural Teachings

The biblical passages that address homosexuality are part of broader moral teachings. Several references in both Testaments provide insights into how Scripture frames sexual ethics in general and same-sex behavior in particular.

1. Foundational Design of Marriage

The Bible describes the first human union between male and female in Genesis 2:24: “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” This foundational narrative informs the biblical definition of marriage: a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman, reflecting God’s creative design and purposes such as companionship, mutual support, and raising children (Malachi 2:15).

2. Old Testament Passages

Passages like Leviticus 18:22 address same-sex relations: “You must not lie with a man as with a woman; that is an abomination.” In the wider context of Leviticus 17–20, the text focuses on holiness and moral purity that sets God’s people apart. The historical reliability of these passages is corroborated by consistent manuscript evidence found in ancient copies—such as those found among the Dead Sea Scrolls—that show such instructions have been preserved accurately.

3. Romans 1 and the Broader Context

In the New Testament, Romans 1:26–27 speaks of both men and women having relations contrary to the natural design: “Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones… the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and burned with lust for one another.” This section of Romans (1:18–32) highlights various universal sins that arise when humanity turns away from worshiping God.

4. 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 and the Offer of Transformation

The Apostle Paul includes same-sex relations among a list of practices inconsistent with God’s righteousness (1 Corinthians 6:9–10), then immediately provides the hope of transformation in verse 11: “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified.” This text asserts that God’s love and grace extend to all who repent and turn to Him, offering not condemnation without hope, but an invitation to a changed life.

IV. Harmonizing Love and Scripture’s Moral Teachings

From a biblical standpoint, love involves seeking a person’s highest good—drawing them into a flourishing relationship with God through the truth of the gospel and helping them walk according to His will. Love is not equated with blanket approval of all behaviors; rather, it seeks to align human actions with God’s perfect design.

1. Call to Compassion

Believers are called to treat every person with compassion, respect, and dignity, recognizing that all are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). The essence of Christian love extends to every neighbor, regardless of background or personal struggles.

2. Call to Truth

Because Scripture frames sexual ethics as part of God’s intended design, Christians often maintain that engaging in any sexual activity outside the recognized marriage covenant between one man and one woman—including same-sex relations—is inconsistent with biblical teaching. However, speaking this truth is to be done with humility and openness, as each individual is of significant worth to God.

3. Redemptive Purpose

The Bible’s emphasis on repentance always points to restoration. Scripture consistently presents God as actively seeking the redemption of all who turn away from sin (2 Peter 3:9). This dynamic underscores that even where biblical teachings stand against particular behaviors, the emphasis is on hope, change, and renewed fellowship with the Creator.

V. Beyond the Question: Unity of Scripture and Confident Faith

Beyond the specific passages that speak about God, love, and homosexuality, the Bible offers a cohesive narrative: God creating all things, humanity falling into sin, Christ providing redemption, and the promise of ultimate restoration. Archaeological corroborations, such as discoveries at biblical sites (e.g., the ancient city of Jericho layers, finds at Hezekiah’s tunnel in Jerusalem), support the historical reliability of Scripture in ways that instill confidence in its moral and spiritual claims.

Moreover, ancient manuscripts (like Codex Sinaiticus and the numerous New Testament papyri) strengthen the conclusion that biblical texts addressing moral teachings are not later inventions but have been transmitted accurately over centuries. Such manuscript evidence aligns with the view that Scripture’s teachings are reliable and consistent from generation to generation.

VI. Summary and Practical Reflections

Scripture reveals God as an eternal Creator who embodies perfect love and holiness. That love is not passive but active—demonstrated through the sacrificial work of Christ and through the moral boundaries established for human flourishing.

Human relationships and sexuality fall under God’s design, and many passages, both Old and New Testament, teach that same-sex behavior is not in harmony with that design. Yet the Bible emphasizes continually that God’s love and grace are offered to everyone without exception.

From a scriptural perspective, love and truth go hand in hand: love extends dignity and kindness to all, and truth calls every individual to live by God’s righteous standards for the sake of spiritual well-being and eternal fellowship with Him. In this way, the Bible’s teachings about God, love, and homosexuality work together cohesively, upheld by ample manuscript evidence, confirmed by consistent doctrinal themes, and secured by the broader salvific message for all who believe.