Ancient Rome: The Letters of Paul.

A message to Believers

In the ancient world, same-sex relationships were understood as a cultural practice rather than an innate biological identity. Within the Roman Empire, sexual relationships were structured around power, dominance, and social hierarchy rather than an individual’s orientation. Roman men, particularly those of high status, could engage in same-sex relations without stigma as long as they assumed the dominant role, while the passive partner—often a younger male or an enslaved person—was seen as subordinate. This understanding of sexuality was fundamentally different from modern perspectives, which classify individuals based on sexual orientation rather than societal roles.

The apostle Paul addressed this Roman cultural framework when he wrote letters to Christian communities under Roman rule, including those in Corinth, Ephesus, and Rome itself. His warnings against certain behaviors were deeply connected to prevailing societal norms, rather than a modern discourse on sexual orientation. When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, for example, Corinth was a city immersed in Roman and Greek practices, including ritualistic sexual acts and same-sex relations within social hierarchies. His message to Timothy, likely writing from Ephesus, similarly engaged with concerns about Roman moral excesses influencing Christian communities. His letter to the Romans specifically discusses cultural decadence, including mentions of same-sex acts in Romans 1:26-27, though the intent and exact nature of Paul’s condemnation remain subjects of scholarly debate.

A central linguistic debate regarding Paul’s writings revolves around the Greek word arsenokoitai, which appears in 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10. This compound word joins arsen meaning male and koite meaning bed, raising questions about its precise meaning. Some argue that it refers broadly to men who engage in same-sex relations, while others suggest it applies specifically to exploitative or transactional sex, such as temple prostitution or coercive relationships. The ambiguity in Paul’s use of the term has led to significant reinterpretations in later translations of the Bible.

Further complexity arises when examining the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, in which the words arsen and koite appear in verses like Leviticus 18:22 and Leviticus 20:13. It is important to note that Greek was developed after Hebrew, meaning that translation choices may have introduced interpretative biases. While some argue that the use of arsenokoitai in Paul’s letters draws from the Septuagint’s phrasing, others contend that this translation was influenced by a particular agenda rather than being a direct reflection of Hebrew meaning.

The intersection of Roman cultural norms, Greek linguistic shifts, and Paul’s theological intent makes this discussion complex. If Paul had intended to directly condemn consensual same-sex relationships, he could have used more explicit Greek terminology. Instead, his choice of words, combined with the broader Roman moral framework, suggests that his concerns may have been tied to excess, exploitation, and social corruption rather than sexual orientation itself.

Paul’s writings were not merely personal reflections but were inspired by the Holy Spirit, who guided him in choosing the precise words necessary to communicate the intended message. This divine inspiration is crucial because it implies that the language used in the letters to the Romans, Corinthians, and Timothy was not arbitrary but carefully chosen to address moral and spiritual concerns within the cultural framework of the time. If the Holy Spirit had intended for Paul to use more definitive words to directly describe consensual same-sex relationships, those words would have been available in the Greek language. Instead, the words used were more nuanced, leaving room for interpretation that has sparked debate throughout history.

One of the most significant linguistic points in this discussion is that the word homosexual was never used in the Bible for 3,346 years. The term itself was first coined in 1868 by German speakers, meaning it could not have appeared in biblical texts written centuries earlier. This historical reality reinforces the fact that translations of Scripture that include the term homosexual are introducing a modern concept that did not exist in the original texts. When Paul was writing his letters to Christian communities under Roman rule, the cultural and moral challenges he addressed were deeply intertwined with Roman society’s understanding of sexuality, hierarchy, and morality. His words responded to the specific behaviors and customs of the time, not to the modern constructs of sexual identity.

The introduction of the term homosexual into Bible translations reflects interpretative choices made by translators, who were not divinely chosen by the Holy Spirit, in recent centuries rather than the original intent of the divinely inspired Paul or the early biblical authors. Greek was developed after Hebrew, and the translation of key terms through the Septuagint could have involved decisions influenced by cultural or theological perspectives. While the Septuagint translated certain Hebrew concepts into Greek, it is worth considering how these translations shaped later understandings of morality in ways that may not fully align with the original Hebrew texts. Recognizing this linguistic evolution is essential in assessing how biblical interpretations have shifted across different eras and languages.

Despite the undeniable historical and linguistic evidence that the word homosexual was never in the Bible for over three thousand years, there are still those who find this fact deeply unsettling. Rather than accepting this reality with an open mind and a willingness to understand the historical context, some instead react with frustration or even anger. This reaction is puzzling because one might expect that such a revelation would bring relief or even joy. If the Bible does not explicitly condemn a group of people for something inherent to their nature, it should be cause for reflection and gratitude, not resentment.

The disappointment and anger some express over this fact reveal deeper underlying issues—namely, prejudice and bigotry that have been disguised as faith. The misinterpretation of scripture to serve personal biases has been a recurring issue throughout history, often leading to harm and division rather than truth and unity. When people cling to an incorrect translation or forced interpretation simply because it aligns with their preconceived notions, they engage in willful ignorance. Worse still, they allow their personal biases to dictate their faith instead of allowing faith to guide them toward a deeper understanding.

God is not a being of ignorance or cruelty. He does not command His people to engage in hatred or discrimination, nor does He delight in the misrepresentation of His word for the sake of maintaining human biases. Scripture warns against hardened hearts, against judging unjustly, and against twisting divine truth for personal gain. True faith does not operate from a foundation of exclusion or intolerance but from love, wisdom, and a pursuit of truth. When people reject historical and biblical accuracy in favor of discrimination, they commit an act that stands against the very nature of God.

To be angry that the word homosexual does not appear in scripture is to reveal a desire for condemnation rather than understanding. It demonstrates a preference for exclusion rather than compassion. This reaction, rather than being rooted in genuine concern for biblical integrity, is instead rooted in prejudice—a force that has no place in a faith meant to reflect divine love and justice.

Throughout history, interpretations of scripture have evolved, and linguistic translations have shaped perspectives on morality and faith. One of the most crucial revelations regarding biblical language is the absence of the word “homosexual” for over three thousand years, a reality that challenges modern misconceptions and forces a deeper examination of what The Hoy Spirit through Paul was truly addressing in his letters to the Romans, Corinthians, and Timothy. Rather than condemning an innate identity, Paul’s writings were shaped by the societal norms of the Roman Empire, which viewed same-sex relations through hierarchical and cultural lenses rather than the concept of sexual orientation as understood today. The fact that the Holy Spirit guided Paul in choosing his words carefully implies that if a more explicit condemnation of consensual same-sex relationships had been intended, more precise Greek terminology would have been used.

Yet, despite this overwhelming evidence, there are those who remain unwilling to accept this truth. Rather than embracing clarity, they react with frustration and anger that the term “homosexual” was never actually part of biblical scripture. This response is not born out of a genuine concern for biblical accuracy but instead reveals deep-rooted prejudice disguised as faith. Hatred and bigotry have no place within God’s kingdom, and scripture makes it clear that such behaviors are despised by the Lord. Proverbs 6:16-19 (NASB) states, “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who declares lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.” Those who reject truth in favor of their own biases engage in the very behaviors that scripture warns against.

It is essential to distinguish between random, lust-driven same-sex acts and deep, committed same-sex relationships built on love, trust, unity, respect, and integrity. Just as heterosexual acts driven purely by lust are condemned, while heterosexual intimacy within marriage and lifelong commitment is viewed as sacred, the same principle applies. Scripture does not condemn love, faithfulness, and unity, but it does warn against exploitative, fleeting, and immoral behavior, regardless of whether the act is heterosexual or same-sex in nature. If commitment, loyalty, and deep connection are upheld as virtuous in heterosexual relationships, why would they not be seen in the same light for same-sex relationships?

Ignorance is not bliss; it is oblivion. To remain willfully ignorant is to reject wisdom and understanding, both of which God desires for His people. Hosea 4:6 (NASB) declares, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Since you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the Law of your God, I also will forget your children.” When people twist scripture for their own prejudices, they do not defend faith; they distort it.

In the end, however, the power of God’s love transcends all human misconceptions, misinterpretations, and biases. The ultimate message of scripture is not one of condemnation but of redemption, grace, and unconditional love. Romans 8:38-39 (NASB) affirms, “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” No amount of human prejudice can override the love of God, and no misinterpretation can undermine His truth. Those who seek to use scripture as a weapon of exclusion will one day be confronted with the reality that God’s love was never meant to divide—it was always meant to heal, restore, and unite.