How do you interpret Romans 1:27?

(from a reader in England)

Romans 1:27 is not now and never has been a reference to two men falling in love and partnering to spend their lives together. Romans 1:27 describes the lust of shrine prostitutes who used sex to worship the fertility goddess Cybele, Protectress of Rome.

Roman coins circulating in the first century depicted Cybele as Mater Deum, "mother of the gods." Inhabitants of Rome worshiped Cybele at any of five worship sites which existed in first century Rome.

Romans 1:26-27 is an integral part of Paul's argument against idolatry. Paul is most assuredly not making an argument against lesbians and gay men. No one in early church history understood Paul to be assailing two women or two men partnering together in a same sex marriage.

Instead Paul describes sexual worship of the Phrygian fertility goddess Cybele as an example of the idolatry of first century Romans.

There are many reasons why Romans 1:27 is not a general reference to homosexuality. Those reasons are given in the Links below.

1. Does Romans say that God gives gay people over to homosexuality?

2. Does likewise in Romans 1:27 equate gay sex with lesbian sex?

3. Does Romans 1:26 condemn lesbians?

4. Does Romans 1:26-27 refer to heterosexuals acting like homosexuals?

5. Can you convince me that Romans 1 is not talking about gays and lesbians?

6. Does Romans 1:26-27 condemn homosexuals?

7. How did you decide that Romans 1:26 does not condemn lesbians?

8. How can you say that Romans 1 has nothing to do with homosexuality?

9. What historical and religious context did Paul address in first century Rome?

10. Does the apology of Aristides link Romans 1 to shrine prostitution?

11. What is your proof for the link between Romans and shrine prostitution?

Click here to return to Gay Christian FAQ Page.

We've answered the question: How do you interpret Romans 1:27? Click here to return to Gay Christian 101 Home Page.