Romans 1:26- 2:1
Notes
Transcript
Controversy!!!
Controversy!!!
Romans 1:26-27 is one of the more controversial passages in scripture. It is the longest passage in scripture about homosexuality.
THIS IS NOTHING NEW! In ancient Roman culture homosexuality was rampant. Paul here is confronting it as a sin.
There are 2 interpretations of this passage. I will not tell you how you must believe. I will tell you how I believe and why.
Interpretation 1
Literally what Paul says here. That they were given over to their urges and it is identified here as well as other places in scripture as A sin.
Interpretation 2
Contextually (honestly a little too shoddily) In context if we look at Paul’s whole argument he is condemning Idolatry and not homosexuality.
Romans 2 does shed some light on the subject but why would Paul choose this as the example of someone left to their own sinful desires, if they aren’t sinful?
2 Major points about this need to be made.
The way I read this is homosexuality is a sin. But Paul lists it as an example of Idolatry. So what is the deeper sin? in Galatians Paul lists Greed as Idolatry. What I am saying here is that the act of Homosexuality, the act of getting drunk, the act of desiring our neighbors things, all of these are idolatry. When we pursue our own wants above God’s that is idolatry.
It is a sin, but not the sin! in our culture today homosexuality is often listed as the sin that cannot be forgiven. but Paul follows it pretty quickly with a list of sins equal to it.
Verse 32 condemns those who know what is right, but still give approval to those who practice the sins listed above.
All of this has to be looked at in light of 2 passages.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.
We have 3 ways we can respond to sin.
2 hands up
2 hands out
1 Hand Up, 1 Hand Out
Paul is not saying, “it doesn’t matter what you do; God doesn’t mind as long as you’re happy. But he is also not saying: What you do matters so much that I don’t want to love you or witness to you, because you are beyond the gospel.
We are called to love, not to judge! So rather than join a picket line against something. Love the one who is cast down. Loving one another is not the same as approving of their every act.