Bible references

Key NT Scriptures

• 1 Corinthians 6:9
• Jude 1:7
• Romans 1:26-28
• 1 Timothy 1:9-11

Key OT Scriptures

• Deuteronomy 23:18-19
  Jewish Commentary
• Genesis 19:4-7
  Jewish Commentary
• Leviticus 18:7
  Jewish Commentary
• Leviticus 18:14
  Jewish Commentary
• Leviticus 18:22
  Jewish Commentary
• Leviticus 20:13
  Jewish Commentary

Supportive NT Scriptures

• Colossians 3:5
• 1 Corinthians 5:9-13
• 1 Corinthians 6:13
• 1 Corinthians 6:18-19
• 1 Corinthians 10:8
• Ephesians 5:3
• Galatians 5:19
• Matthew 15:19-20
• Romans 13:13-14
• 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

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Commentary

Rabbi Michael Rudolph

Homosexuality in the Bible means any sexual contact with a person of one's own gender. As in much in the Bible, the relevant verses of Scripture read as though they are written to men, but the New Covenant Scriptures make it clear that they apply to women as well ( Romans 1:26 ). The prohibited sexual contact referred to is not limited to physically touching another same sex's genitals; it includes any display, touching, conversation, and probably even intentionally evoked personal thoughts of a homosexual nature, engaged-in in order to cause sexual arousal. All homosexual acts are sinful. On the other hand, the Scriptures do not call homosexual feelings (or any feelings) sin. There are some among us who (for reasons that only God knows) were born with a dysfunction such that their sexual feelings are not consistent with the gender of their physical genitalia. This is a most unhappy condition that they must deal with by control and abstinence (i.e. not allowing their actions to fulfill their desires), much as a heterosexual person must abstain from heterosexual activity that is scripturally prohibited. Persons having homosexual feelings that they do not act on should be received within the body of believers without reservation, but their condition should be viewed as abnormal, and prayer should not cease for their healing. Also, it is important that their congregation's elders know about their condition because any slippage of the flesh in this area is almost certain to adversely affect others with whom they relate and come in contact. Classical Commentators: Maimonides, Meir, and HaChinuch only address male on male homosexuality in their mitzvot ; they do not discuss women. They opine that the expressions "uncover one's nakedness" or "lie with" in the Bible mean to have sexual contact in which a male's sex organ is physically inserted into another male's orifice (mouth or anus). This is sometimes referred to as "sodomy". Special mention is made here of all three commentators' peculiar interpretation of Leviticus 18:14 , which they interpret as not having homosexual relations with one's father's brother despite the Scripture speaking of one's father's brother's wife. NCLA : JMm JFm KMm KFm GMm GFm Return to main index Return to main index

Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2

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Based on The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective by Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster.

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Record source: The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective - Volume 1 & 2

Copyright note: Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2