Paul on Same-Sex Relations in Romans 1

Abstract

Paul expresses the common Jewish view that same-sex relations typify the depravity of the non-Jewish world, primarily as a means of finding common ground with those who would be listening to his letter and to argue that sins by his own Jewish people, though different, are no less deplorable and conclude that therefore both need Christ’s redemption. Assuming God created humans male and female, he finds the roots of such behavior in distorted minds and passions resulting from distorted understandings of God.