Q: #298. In (Mt 19:12), when Jesus is speaking about eunuchs "who were born that way," is He referring to homosexuality?
A: Here is the verse to which you refer:
(Mt 19:12)(NASB) For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it.
Sadly, there are some within the homosexual movement that have tried to use Jesus’ words about eunuchs “who were born that way from their mother’s womb” to say that Jesus was referring to, offering support for, and accepting homosexuality. This is not the case…
Homosexuality is a “behavior,” and this behavior is called sin (Lev 18:22)(Lev 20:13)(Rom 1:24,26-27) (more verses here). Nowhere in the Bible does God call something a sin unless it can be changed. To say that one can “be born a homosexual” is to say that God created someone in such a way that they have no choice but to sin against Him. He does not do this. In fact, the Bible even says that homosexual behavior CAN be changed (1 Cor 6:9-11: “And such WERE some of you…”).
(This is also why homosexuality should not be equated with racism or sexism.)
However, even for those who believe that homosexuality IS genetic (you can be born with a genetic predisposition to be attracted to the same sex), you still have to understand that acting on those feelings is sinful in God’s eyes. When a homosexual gives in to the desire to commit same sex acts, he/she is committing a sin in the same way any sinner (i.e. a fornicator, adulterer, rapist, etc…) does when they give into their sinful impulses. We must ALL resist our urges to give into any act the Bible calls sin, and repent if we fail. We should not be proud of (“gay pride”), nor “tolerant” of ANY sinful behavior in ourselves or others.
I should also add that Jesus was well aware of Old Testament law condemning homosexuality, and clearly stated that He did not come to change one “jot or tittle” of that law (Mt 5:17-18). (Referring to moral laws [i.e. against homosexuality] as opposed to ceremonial laws.) To say that He is offering support for homosexuality in this verse is to say that He is going against Old Testament law.
In my studies on eunuchs in the Bible, I find nowhere that equates being a eunuch with being a homosexual. Neither the Hebrew word “caric” nor the Greek word “eunouchizo” for eunuch points to a eunuch being a homosexual. Nowhere does the Bible call being a eunuch a sin, while it does call homosexuality a sin. The Bible does equate being a eunuch with having a “defect.” Because of this, eunuchs were not allowed to serve as priests (Lev 21:16-20), or enter into the assembly of Israel (Deut 23:1).
There are several apologists within the homosexual movement who offer up historical sources (i.e. the Talmud, the Kama Sutra, the writings of Clement) to show that in the past, being called a eunuch was sometimes associated with being a homosexual. Whether or not this is true is up for debate, but nevertheless, even if eunuchs were sometimes considered homosexuals, this still does not make homosexuality acceptable in the eyes of Jesus or God.
Homosexuality is not a behaviour. It is an innate, unchangeable (for most people) dimension of personhood. The majority of gay people desire, like most heterosexuals, to live in a loving, faithful, life-long relationship with the love of their life. To imply that homosexuals are only interested in sex is misguided and a stereotype. To compare these people to adulterers and rapists (think dishonest, unfaithful, coercive, non-consensual, violent and psychologically damaging)… Read more »
Helen, the differences between us are that you don’t believe the Bible says homosexuality is a sin, nor do you think it can be changed. Therefore, it is “insulting” to you to compare it to other sins that the Bible talks about. The Bible is quite clear that it can be changed (1 Cor 6:9-11), and I have seen this firsthand. One of my best friends growing up was involved… Read more »
You are so wrong… I am a heterosexual female who comes from a large, very close extended family of about 50 1st cousins. I have witnessed two of those cousins from the time they were three years old exhibit odd behavior. One boy who dressed up in high heels and carried a purse at 3 rather than being a cowboy; and a girl who cried every time her mother tried… Read more »
Hi Janice, focusing on your next to last paragraph, there IS a “greater teacher than experience,” and that is God’s Word. All that your family has gone through is so sad. However, as I said above, even if your cousins were “born” gay (the Bible says this cannot be so), it is not sinful to be “born gay,” but it is sinful to later act on those “feelings,” and do… Read more »
I pray that God blesses you for the article that you’ve written and then the explanations that were shared in your responses to the two individuals. I have desires that are homosexual in nature but from a very young age and even now I know, it’s not the thought but the act. We should seek to have our heart purified so that mostly good things dwell in our minds. I… Read more »