What Does the Bible Say About Same-Sex Marriage?

Is same-sex marriage permissible to God, if two people “love” each other?

For thousands of years, there has hardly been a debate on what constitutes a marriage. As time went on, however, this traditional definition (of marriage exclusively between a man and a woman) has been increasingly challenged.

On June 26, 2015, in a 5-to-4 vote ruling on the Obergefell v. Hodges case, the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states. President Barack Obama praised the decision, calling it “a victory for America.”

But is it really a victory? What does the Bible say about same-sex marriage?

The Evolution of the Definition of Marriage

Let’s start by defining our terms. Just what is a marriage?

• In The Reader’s Digest Great Encyclopedic Dictionary (1966), the definition of marriage is “a legal contract, entered into by a man and a woman, to live together as husband and wife.” There is no same-sex marriage in this definition.
• In Webster’s Universal English Dictionary (2004), marriage is defined as “the legal contract by which a woman and man become wife and husband.” After 38 years, still no same-sex marriage in this definition.
• In the Webster’s New Universal Dictionary and Thesaurus (2010), marriage is defined as “the ceremony, act, or contract by which a man and woman become husband and wife.” Six years later, still no same-sex marriage in this definition.
• However, sometime in 2003, Merriam-Webster printed an updated definition of marriage. The Oxford English Dictionary also changed its definition of marriage in 2013 to include gays.
• Therefore, in the Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition (2008), aside from the traditional definition, a second definition was added: “The state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage.”
• Today, there are four main definitions of marriage, according to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition (2011-2016). Marriage is now defined as:

1. The legal union of a man and woman as husband and wife, and in some jurisdictions, between two persons of the same sex, usually entailing legal obligations of each person to the other.
2. A similar union of more than two people; a polygamous marriage.
3. A union between persons that is recognized by custom or religious tradition as a marriage.
4. A common-law marriage.

In 40 years — one biblical generation — the definition of marriage has changed. As you can see, marriage is a union — the act of uniting or the state of being united. That much people agree on. But just who can be united in marriage? Two people of the opposite sex? More than two people of the opposite sex? Two people of the same sex? More than two people of the same sex? A human and her father? A human and a robot? A human and her cat? How about marrying yourself? Who decides?

Why All the Confusion About Marriage?

First of all, let’s ask the question, “Why are people so mixed up about marriage?” The answer is simple. Because they have rejected God, the Author of marriage.

In many colleges and universities, the theory of evolution is taught as fact, when it is just an unproven theory riddled with many scientific and philosophical problems [we plan to address more of these topics in future articles]. Thankfully, there are schools that still have the courage to teach the FACT of biblical creation — that God created the universe ex nihilo (“out of nothing”) — including us, human beings.

Until we bring God and the Bible back into the center of the discussion, there will always be debate and confusion about this very controversial issue of marriage.

So let’s clear up the confusion and let God, the Creator of humanity and the Author of marriage define for us what marriage really is, once and for all.

God Created Two, and Only Two, Sexes or Genders

 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
~Genesis 1:27

Was that simply a mistake — a misprint? What did Christ say? Did He agree?

And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, “For this reason a man [singular] shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, [singular] and the two [1+1=2] shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
~Matthew 19:4-6

7 Unmistakable Facts About Biblical Marriage

We can glean seven irrefutable facts from the two passages above:

1. God created humans. He is the author of marriage (Genesis 2:22-25).
2. Unlike animals, human beings were created by God in His own image.
3. God created us male and female — two complementary sexes or genders.
4. This sex difference is a cause for marriage — “for this reason,” Christ said.
5. Marriage is between one man and one woman — only two people.
6. Only these two people become “one” — “one flesh” — in marriage.
7. It is God who joins man and woman together in a biblical marriage.

Did the Apostle Paul Uphold This Marriage Ideal?

Nevertheless, because of [or “to prevent”] sexual immorality, let each man [male] have his own wife [female], and let each woman [female] have her own husband [male].
~1 Corinthians 7:2

There are literally dozens of Bible verses and passages that can be cited, but I think this is sufficient for now to clear up the confusion surrounding marriage. The Author of and the Authority on marriage has defined it for us.

Conclusion

God created human beings male and female. He ordained marriage from the very beginning — one man and one woman for life — growing in love and respect for God and each other. Giving of oneself fully to the other. Serving each other. Staying faithful and committed through the good times and bad. Learning to own up to mistakes and forgive. Raising godly children.

We’re still imperfect, but this is what a biblical marriage looks like — the ideal we should all be striving toward. It pictures the relationship between Christ and the Bride, His true church (Ephesians 5:32-33). Sadly, same-sex marriage is a perversion of God’s design and purpose. While God in His great love sent His Son to die for us sinners, He still calls homosexual activity vile, against nature, and shameful (Romans 1:26-27). Even the highest courts of our land — the U.S. Supreme Court or the supreme court of any nation for that matter — don’t have the authority to change God’s definition of marriage without being held in contempt by the Highest Court of Heaven!

I know this answer is neither popular nor politically correct, but it is what the Bible says. And human “love” cannot change that.

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
~1 John 5:3

In future articles, we plan to answer more questions about marriage, sex, homosexuality, adultery, divorce and remarriage, polygamy, and more.