Romans 1 indicates that when a community embraces homosexuality, God gives them over to further degradation and a reprobate mind, leading to widespread unrighteousness.
The chapter describes homosexual acts as 'vile affections' and 'against nature.' When people refuse to retain God in their knowledge, God gives them over to a reprobate mind. This results in a community filled with unrighteousness, wickedness, and other sins, reflecting a downward spiral.
Romans 1:26-27 — This passage directly describes homosexual behavior as degrading and unnatural, which is central to answering the question.
Romans 1:26-27 states that men and women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones, with women leaving the natural use of men and men burning in lust for one another. This is called 'vile affections.' Verse 28 says that as people did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind. The following verses (29-31) list the resulting behaviors: unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity, and more. Verse 32 says they know God's judgment is due, yet they continue and even take pleasure in others who do such things.
Les emphasizes that Romans 1 describes a progression of sin, where humanity degrades from natural immorality to 'vile affections'—homosexuality (Clips 0, 1). He points out that this is the first clear scriptural reference to what God calls an abomination, referring to the account of Sodom (Clips 1, 2). Les connects this to the idea that when a society embraces such behavior, it reflects a departure from God and leads to further degradation. He also notes that Paul's list in Romans 3 shows all are under sin, reinforcing that all are in need of grace (Clips 5, 7). Les teaches that while sin must be called sin, God's grace is still available for those who repent, referencing 1 Corinthians 6:11 'such were some of you' (Clip 4).
According to Romans 1, when a community embraces homosexuality, it is a sign that they have refused to retain God in their knowledge. Consequently, God gives them over to a reprobate mind. This leads to a society filled with unrighteousness, wickedness, and other sins as listed in verses 29-31. Les Feldick emphasizes that this is a downward progression from natural immorality to unnatural acts (Clip 0), and he draws parallels to Sodom, which was destroyed for such behavior (Clip 2).
Les explains that in Romans 1, God gives people up to uncleanness and vile affections as an act of judgment. He notes that God does not give them up to something higher, but to something lower (Clip 0). This is a progressive judgment where those who reject God are allowed to sink into further sin. Les also emphasizes that God's wrath is coming, but believers today are under grace (Clip 6).
Les Feldick connects the homosexual behavior described in Romans 1 to the account of Sodom in Genesis 19. He says that the men of Sodom were interested in sexual relations with the angels, and this is where the term 'sodomy' comes from. It is the first scriptural account of what God calls an abomination (Clips 1, 2). Les notes that God destroyed Sodom, and the New Testament attests to this judgment, serving as a warning for any community that embraces such practices.
Downward Progression of Sin
Les explains that Romans 1 shows a step down from natural immorality to vile affections (homosexuality), indicating a lower level of sin as God gives people up.
First Scriptural Reference to Homosexuality as Abomination
Les points out that Romans 1:26-27 is the first time Scripture explicitly deals with what God calls an abomination, linking it to Sodom.
Sodom's Connection
Les connects Romans 1 to the story of Sodom, where the men desired the angels, and emphasizes that God destroyed Sodom as a judgment.
What 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Really Says About Who Goes to Heaven
It was so rampant, and it didn't stop there. Their immorality went to the very depth, and we're seeing it happening in our own country today. I guess maybe that's why this letter is now becoming more appropriate, because even our society is getting closer and closer to that of Corinth. Now verse 16. What? verse 16. "...and do you know that he that is joined," that is sexually, "...
Grace for the Homosexual
Les highlights 1 Corinthians 6:11 to show that believers were once such sinners, but they have been washed and sanctified, indicating that change is possible through grace.
All Under Sin
Les reads Romans 3:10-12 to show that all are unrighteous, reinforcing that no one is exempt from sin's effects.
God's Wrath and Grace
Les explains that while God's wrath is coming, believers today live under grace, showing that judgment is reserved for those who reject God.
What the Holy Spirit Reveals to Believers - 1 Corinthians 2:9-13 Explained
Not one iota. Romans chapter 3, let's look at verse 9 first. What then? Paul says, "...are we Jews better than they, those Gentiles? No, in no wise. For we have before been proved that both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin." In other words, every Jew that has ever lived, every non-Jew that has ever lived, has been guilty of disobeying the revealed will of God, and that is what? Sin.
Romans 1:26-27: For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
These verses explicitly describe homosexual behavior as 'vile affections' and 'against nature,' forming the core of the biblical teaching on the topic.
Romans 1:28-31: And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
This passage lists the consequences of embracing homosexuality and rejecting God, showing how a community can become filled with various sins.
Romans 1:32: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
This verse shows that those who embrace such sins not only practice them but also approve of others who do, indicating a hardened state.
Genesis 19:4-5: But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.
This passage is the Old Testament account of Sodom, which Les connects to Romans 1 as a warning of judgment.
Yes, Romans 1:26-27 explicitly describes homosexual acts as 'vile affections' and 'against nature.' Les Feldick emphasizes this is a clear scriptural condemnation of the practice.
In Romans 1, when people reject God, He allows them to be controlled by their sinful desires, leading to a state where their thinking is depraved. Les explains this as a progressive judgment, giving people over to lower levels of sin (Clip 0).
Yes, Les points to 1 Corinthians 6:11 where Paul says 'such were some of you,' meaning believers can be delivered from that lifestyle. God's grace is available for all who repent and trust in Christ.
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Says About Sodom, Lot, and Judgment (Romans 1)