{"id":565,"date":"2020-10-11T12:23:05","date_gmt":"2020-10-11T12:23:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/?p=565"},"modified":"2024-01-17T13:42:57","modified_gmt":"2024-01-17T13:42:57","slug":"the-pro-lgbtq-faction-of-the-umc-wrongly-discards-leviticus-1822-and-2013-from-the-bible-for-the-21st-century-part-16f-of-a-17-part-series","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/?p=565","title":{"rendered":"The Pro-LGBTQ Faction of the UMC Wrongly Discards Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 from the Bible for the 21st Century &#8211; Part 16F of a 17 Part Series"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>INTRODUCTION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Paul\u2019s allusions in Romans 1:18-32 to language from Leviticus 18 and 20 in the LXX (the Septuagint which is the Greek translation of the Old Testament) show that the prohibition against homosexual sex was alive and well when Paul wrote Romans.&nbsp; These prohibitions remain applicable to today.&nbsp; Thus, the pro-LGBTQ faction is wrong to discard Leviticus 18:22 and Leviticus 20:13 from the Bible for the 21<sup>st<\/sup> Century,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ROMANS 1:18-32 CONDEMNS HOMOSEXUAL PRACTICE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As an initial comment, Romans 1:18-32 is a passage that deals directly with homosexual sexual activities of the male-male type and the female-female type.&nbsp; There is no confusion about the homosexual sexual behavior Paul described in this passage per Romans 1:24\u201327 (ESV), which reads (boldfacing added):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><sup>24<\/sup> Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, <sup>25<\/sup> because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. <strong><sup>26<\/sup> For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; <sup>27<\/sup> and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>One commentator (Mounce, R. H. (1995). Romans (Vol. 27, pp. 82\u201383). Nashville: Broadman &amp; Holman Publishers presents the complete argument:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Romans 1:26\u201327 contains the clearest teaching in the New Testament on homosexuality. In this section Paul described the practice as \u201cshameful,\u201d \u201cunnatural,\u201d \u201cindecent,\u201d and as a \u201cperversion.\u201d By contrast, the Greco-Roman society of Paul\u2019s day tolerated homosexuality with considerable ease. Among some advocates it was viewed as superior to heterosexuality. Barclay notes that \u201cfourteen out of the first fifteen Roman Emperors were homosexuals.\u201d31<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>In Jewish culture, however, it was regarded as an abomination. Barrett comments that \u201cno feature of pagan society filled the Jew with greater loathing than the toleration, or rather admiration, of homosexual practices.\u201d The Old Testament specifically prohibits homosexuality. Leviticus 18:22 says, \u201cDo not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.\u201d The penalty for both participants was death (Lev 20:13). In 1 Cor 6:9\u201310 Paul specifically said that \u201chomosexual offenders\u201d will not \u201cinherit the kingdom of God.\u201d Against this background it is difficult to understand why some contemporary teachers\u2014even some who claim to be biblical\u2014make allowance for a practice clearly condemned in both the Old and the New Testaments.35 Achtemeier writes that the kind of life Paul described in vv. 26\u201327 \u201ccannot be understood as an alternative life-style, somehow acceptable to God\u201d but rather as \u201ca sign of one of the forms God\u2019s wrath takes when he allows us free reign to continue in our abuse of creation and in our abuse of one another as creatures.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>In language that cannot be misunderstood, Paul condemned homosexual practice in Romans 1:18-32.&nbsp; Please remember that Paul wrote Romans under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.&nbsp; Divine inspiration of Scripture, which includes Romans, is clear from 2 Timothy 3:16\u201317 (ESV), which reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><sup>16<\/sup> All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, <sup>17<\/sup> that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>And, it is made clear by 2 Peter 1:20\u201321 (ESV), which reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><sup>20<\/sup> knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone\u2019s own interpretation. <sup>21<\/sup> For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>This teaches that Paul\u2019s condemnation of homosexual practice in Romans means that our holy and immutable God condemns homosexual practice today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ROMANS 1:27 \u2013 PAUL\u2019S FIRST ALLUSION TO LEVITICUS 18 AND 20<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first set of allusions in the LXX relates to Romans 1:27 (ESV), which reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><sup>27<\/sup> and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts [<em>asch\u0113mosyn\u0113<\/em> ] with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The ESV translates the Greek noun <em>asch\u0113mosyn\u0113<\/em> as \u201cshameless acts\u201d and it means to act in defiance of social and moral standards, with resulting disgrace, embarrassment, and shame\u2014\u2018to act shamefully, indecent behavior, shameful deed.\u2019&nbsp; See Louw, J. P., &amp; Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition, Vol. 1, p. 758). New York: United Bible Societies.&nbsp; The LXX uses this Greek noun thirty-three times in Leviticus 18 and 20 and the translation is typically \u201cnakedness.\u201d &nbsp;The listing below shows these usages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td>Lev 18:6 &nbsp;<\/td><td>\u1f0c\u03bd\u03b8\u03c1\u03c9\u03c0\u03bf\u03c2 \u1f04\u03bd\u03b8\u03c1\u03c9\u03c0\u03bf\u03c2 \u03c0\u03c1\u1f78\u03c2 \u03c0\u03ac\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1 \u03bf\u1f30\u03ba\u03b5\u1fd6\u03b1 \u03c3\u03b1\u03c1\u03ba\u1f78\u03c2 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03bf\u1f50 \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c3\u03b5\u03bb\u03b5\u03cd\u03c3\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03cd\u03c8\u03b1\u03b9 <strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd\u00b7<\/strong> \u1f10\u03b3\u1f7c \u039a\u03cd\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03c2. &nbsp;<\/td><td>\u201cNone of you shall approach any one of his close relatives to uncover nakedness. I am the Lord. &nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lev 18:7 &nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd<\/strong> \u03c0\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u03cc\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 <strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd<\/strong> \u03bc\u03b7\u03c4\u03c1\u03cc\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03cd\u03c8\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2\u00b7 \u03bc\u03ae\u03c4\u03b7\u03c1 \u03b3\u03ac\u03c1 \u03c3\u03bf\u03cd \u1f10\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03cd\u03c8\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd <strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd <\/strong>\u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2. &nbsp;<\/td><td>You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, which is the nakedness of your mother; she is your mother, you shall not uncover her nakedness. &nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lev 18:8 &nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd<\/strong> \u03b3\u03c5\u03bd\u03b1\u03b9\u03ba\u1f78\u03c2 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u03cc\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03cd\u03c8\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2\u00b7 <strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7 <\/strong>\u03c0\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u03cc\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03cd \u1f10\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd. &nbsp;<\/td><td>You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father\u2019s wife; it is your father\u2019s nakedness. &nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lev 18:9 &nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd <\/strong>\u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u1f00\u03b4\u03b5\u03bb\u03c6\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u1f10\u03ba \u03c0\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u03cc\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u1f22 \u03bc\u03b7\u03c4\u03c1\u03cc\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5, \u1f10\u03bd\u03b4\u03bf\u03b3\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u1fe6\u03c2 \u03b3\u03b5\u03b3\u03b5\u03bd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bc\u03ad\u03bd\u03b7\u03c2 \u1f22 \u1f14\u03be\u03c9, \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03cd\u03c8\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2 <strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd<\/strong> \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2. &nbsp;<\/td><td>You shall not uncover the nakedness of your sister, your father\u2019s daughter or your mother\u2019s daughter, whether brought up in the family or in another home. &nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lev 18:10 &nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd<\/strong> \u03b8\u03c5\u03b3\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u1f78\u03c2 \u03c5\u1f31\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u1f22 \u03b8\u03c5\u03b3\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u1f78\u03c2 \u03b8\u03c5\u03b3\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u03cc\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5, \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03cd\u03c8\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd <strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd<\/strong> \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd, \u1f45\u03c4\u03b9 \u03c3\u1f74 <strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7<\/strong> \u1f10\u03c3\u03c4\u03af\u03bd. &nbsp;<\/td><td>You shall not uncover the nakedness of your son\u2019s daughter or of your daughter\u2019s daughter, for their nakedness is your own nakedness. &nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lev 18:11 &nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd <\/strong>\u03b8\u03c5\u03b3\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u1f78\u03c2 \u03b3\u03c5\u03bd\u03b1\u03b9\u03ba\u1f78\u03c2 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u03cc\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03cd\u03c8\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2\u00b7 \u1f41\u03bc\u03bf\u03c0\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u03af\u03b1 \u1f00\u03b4\u03b5\u03bb\u03c6\u03ae \u03c3\u03bf\u03cd \u1f10\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd, \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03cd\u03c8\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd <strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd <\/strong>\u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2. &nbsp;<\/td><td>You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father\u2019s wife\u2019s daughter, brought up in your father\u2019s family, since she is your sister. &nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lev 18:12 &nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd<\/strong> \u1f00\u03b4\u03b5\u03bb\u03c6\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u03cc\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03cd\u03c8\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2\u00b7 \u03bf\u1f30\u03ba\u03b5\u03af\u03b1 \u03b3\u1f70\u03c1 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u03cc\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03cd \u1f10\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd. &nbsp;<\/td><td>You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father\u2019s sister; she is your father\u2019s relative. &nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lev 18:13 &nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd <\/strong>\u1f00\u03b4\u03b5\u03bb\u03c6\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03bc\u03b7\u03c4\u03c1\u03cc\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03cd\u03c8\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2\u00b7 \u03bf\u1f30\u03ba\u03b5\u03af\u03b1 \u03b3\u1f70\u03c1 \u03bc\u03b7\u03c4\u03c1\u03cc\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03cd \u1f10\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd. &nbsp;<\/td><td>You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother\u2019s sister, for she is your mother\u2019s relative. &nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lev 18:14 &nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd<\/strong> \u1f00\u03b4\u03b5\u03bb\u03c6\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u03cc\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03cd\u03c8\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2, \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03c0\u03c1\u1f78\u03c2 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd \u03b3\u03c5\u03bd\u03b1\u1fd6\u03ba\u03b1 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u03b5\u1f30\u03c3\u03b5\u03bb\u03b5\u03cd\u03c3\u1fc3\u00b7 \u03c3\u03c5\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03bd\u1f74\u03c2 \u03b3\u03ac\u03c1 \u03c3\u03bf\u03cd \u1f10\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd. &nbsp;<\/td><td>You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father\u2019s brother, that is, you shall not approach his wife; she is your aunt. &nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lev 18:15 &nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd<\/strong> \u03bd\u03cd\u03bc\u03c6\u03b7\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03cd\u03c8\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2\u00b7 \u03b3\u03c5\u03bd\u1f74 \u03b3\u1f70\u03c1 \u03c5\u1f31\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03c3\u03bf\u03cd \u1f10\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd, \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03cd\u03c8\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd <strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd<\/strong> \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2. &nbsp;<\/td><td>You shall not uncover the nakedness of your daughter-in-law; she is your son\u2019s wife, you shall not uncover her nakedness. &nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lev 18:16 &nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd<\/strong> \u03b3\u03c5\u03bd\u03b1\u03b9\u03ba\u1f78\u03c2 \u1f00\u03b4\u03b5\u03bb\u03c6\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03cd\u03c8\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2\u00b7 <strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7 <\/strong>\u1f00\u03b4\u03b5\u03bb\u03c6\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03c3\u03bf\u03cd \u1f10\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd. &nbsp;<\/td><td>You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother\u2019s wife; it is your brother\u2019s nakedness. &nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lev 18:17 &nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd<\/strong> \u03b3\u03c5\u03bd\u03b1\u03b9\u03ba\u1f78\u03c2 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03b8\u03c5\u03b3\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u1f78\u03c2 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03cd\u03c8\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2\u00b7 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd \u03b8\u03c5\u03b3\u03b1\u03c4\u03ad\u03c1\u03b1 \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03c5\u1f31\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd \u03b8\u03c5\u03b3\u03b1\u03c4\u03ad\u03c1\u03b1 \u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03b8\u03c5\u03b3\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u1f78\u03c2 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03bf\u1f50 \u03bb\u03ae\u03bc\u03c8\u1fc3 \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03cd\u03c8\u03b1\u03b9 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd <strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd <\/strong>\u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd\u00b7 \u03bf\u1f30\u03ba\u03b5\u1fd6\u03b1\u03b9 \u03b3\u03ac\u03c1 \u03c3\u03bf\u03cd \u03b5\u1f30\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd, \u1f00\u03c3\u03ad\u03b2\u03b7\u03bc\u03ac \u1f10\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd. &nbsp;<\/td><td>You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and of her daughter, and you shall not take her son\u2019s daughter or her daughter\u2019s daughter to uncover her nakedness; they are relatives; it is depravity. &nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lev 18:18 &nbsp;<\/td><td>\u03b3\u03c5\u03bd\u03b1\u1fd6\u03ba\u03b1 \u1f10\u03c0\u1f76 \u1f00\u03b4\u03b5\u03bb\u03c6\u1fc7 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03bf\u1f50 \u03bb\u03ae\u03bc\u03c8\u1fc3 \u1f00\u03bd\u03c4\u03af\u03b6\u03b7\u03bb\u03bf\u03bd, \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03cd\u03c8\u03b1\u03b9 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd <strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd<\/strong> \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u1f10\u03c0\u02bc \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1fc7, \u1f14\u03c4\u03b9 \u03b6\u03ce\u03c3\u03b7\u03c2 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2. &nbsp;<\/td><td>And you shall not take a woman as a rival wife to her sister, uncovering her nakedness while her sister is still alive. &nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lev 18:19 &nbsp;<\/td><td>\u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03c0\u03c1\u1f78\u03c2 \u03b3\u03c5\u03bd\u03b1\u1fd6\u03ba\u03b1 \u1f10\u03bd \u03c7\u03c9\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03bc\u1ff7 \u1f00\u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u03b1\u03c1\u03c3\u03af\u03b1\u03c2 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03bf\u1f50 \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c3\u03b5\u03bb\u03b5\u03cd\u03c3\u1fc3 \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03cd\u03c8\u03b1\u03b9 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd <strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd<\/strong> \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2. &nbsp;<\/td><td>\u201cYou shall not approach a woman to uncover her nakedness while she is in her menstrual uncleanness. &nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lev 20:11 &nbsp;<\/td><td>\u1f10\u03ac\u03bd \u03c4\u03b9\u03c2 \u03ba\u03bf\u03b9\u03bc\u03b7\u03b8\u1fc7 \u03bc\u03b5\u03c4\u1f70 \u03b3\u03c5\u03bd\u03b1\u03b9\u03ba\u1f78\u03c2 \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u1f78\u03c2 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6, <strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd<\/strong> \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u1f78\u03c2 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u1f00\u03c0\u03b5\u03ba\u03ac\u03bb\u03c5\u03c8\u03b5\u03bd, \u03b8\u03b1\u03bd\u03b1\u03c4\u03bf\u03cd\u03c3\u03b8\u03c9\u00b7 \u1f00\u03bc\u03c6\u03cc\u03c4\u03b5\u03c1\u03bf\u03b9 \u1f14\u03bd\u03bf\u03c7\u03bf\u03af \u03b5\u1f30\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd. &nbsp;<\/td><td>If a man lies with his father\u2019s wife, he has uncovered his father\u2019s nakedness; both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them. &nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lev 20:17 &nbsp;<\/td><td>\u1f43\u03c2 \u1f10\u1f70\u03bd \u03bb\u03ac\u03b2\u1fc3 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd \u1f00\u03b4\u03b5\u03bb\u03c6\u1f74\u03bd \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u1f10\u03ba \u03c0\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u1f78\u03c2 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u1f22 \u1f10\u03ba \u03bc\u03b7\u03c4\u03c1\u1f78\u03c2 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6, \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u1f34\u03b4\u1fc3 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd <strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd <\/strong>\u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03b1\u1f55\u03c4\u03b7 \u1f34\u03b4\u1fc3 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd <strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd<\/strong> \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6, \u1f44\u03bd\u03b5\u03b9\u03b4\u03cc\u03c2 \u1f10\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd, \u1f10\u03be\u03bf\u03bb\u03b5\u03b8\u03c1\u03b5\u03c5\u03b8\u03ae\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u1f10\u03bd\u03ce\u03c0\u03b9\u03bf\u03bd \u03c5\u1f31\u1ff6\u03bd \u03b3\u03ad\u03bd\u03bf\u03c5\u03c2 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd\u00b7 <strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd<\/strong> \u1f00\u03b4\u03b5\u03bb\u03c6\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u1f00\u03c0\u03b5\u03ba\u03ac\u03bb\u03c5\u03c8\u03b5\u03bd, \u1f01\u03bc\u03b1\u03c1\u03c4\u03af\u03b1\u03bd \u03ba\u03bf\u03bc\u03b9\u03bf\u1fe6\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9. &nbsp;<\/td><td>\u201cIf a man takes his sister, a daughter of his father or a daughter of his mother, and sees her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace, and they shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people. He has uncovered his sister\u2019s nakedness, and he shall bear his iniquity. &nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lev 20:18 &nbsp;<\/td><td>\u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u1f00\u03bd\u1f74\u03c1 \u1f43\u03c2 \u1f02\u03bd \u03ba\u03bf\u03b9\u03bc\u03b7\u03b8\u1fc7 \u03bc\u03b5\u03c4\u1f70 \u03b3\u03c5\u03bd\u03b1\u03b9\u03ba\u1f78\u03c2 \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u03b7\u03bc\u03ad\u03bd\u03b7\u03c2 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03cd\u03c8\u1fc3 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd <strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd <\/strong>\u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2, \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd \u03c0\u03b7\u03b3\u1f74\u03bd \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u1f00\u03c0\u03b5\u03ba\u03ac\u03bb\u03c5\u03c8\u03b5\u03bd, \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03b1\u1f55\u03c4\u03b7 \u1f00\u03c0\u03b5\u03ba\u03ac\u03bb\u03c5\u03c8\u03b5\u03bd \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd \u1fe5\u03cd\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03b1\u1f35\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2\u00b7 \u1f10\u03be\u03bf\u03bb\u03b5\u03b8\u03c1\u03b5\u03c5\u03b8\u03ae\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u1f00\u03bc\u03c6\u03cc\u03c4\u03b5\u03c1\u03bf\u03b9 \u1f10\u03ba \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03b3\u03ad\u03bd\u03bf\u03c5\u03c2 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd. &nbsp;<\/td><td>If a man lies with a woman during her menstrual period and uncovers her nakedness, he has made naked her fountain, and she has uncovered the fountain of her blood. Both of them shall be cut off from among their people. &nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lev 20:19 &nbsp;<\/td><td>\u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 <strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd<\/strong> \u1f00\u03b4\u03b5\u03bb\u03c6\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u03cc\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u1f00\u03b4\u03b5\u03bb\u03c6\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03bc\u03b7\u03c4\u03c1\u03cc\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03cd\u03c8\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2\u00b7 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd \u03b3\u1f70\u03c1 \u03bf\u1f30\u03ba\u03b5\u03b9\u03cc\u03c4\u03b7\u03c4\u03b1 \u1f00\u03c0\u03b5\u03ba\u03ac\u03bb\u03c5\u03c8\u03b5\u03bd, \u1f01\u03bc\u03b1\u03c1\u03c4\u03af\u03b1\u03bd \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03af\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9. &nbsp;<\/td><td>You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother\u2019s sister or of your father\u2019s sister, for that is to make naked one\u2019s relative; they shall bear their iniquity. &nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lev 20:20 &nbsp;<\/td><td>\u1f43\u03c2 \u1f02\u03bd \u03ba\u03bf\u03b9\u03bc\u03b7\u03b8\u1fc7 \u03bc\u03b5\u03c4\u1f70 \u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03c3\u03c5\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u1fe6\u03c2 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6, <strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd <\/strong>\u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03c3\u03c5\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u1fe6\u03c2 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u1f00\u03c0\u03b5\u03ba\u03ac\u03bb\u03c5\u03c8\u03b5\u03bd\u00b7 \u1f04\u03c4\u03b5\u03ba\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9 \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03b8\u03b1\u03bd\u03bf\u1fe6\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9. &nbsp;<\/td><td>If a man lies with his uncle\u2019s wife, he has uncovered his uncle\u2019s nakedness; they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless. &nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lev 20:21 &nbsp;<\/td><td>\u1f43\u03c2 \u1f02\u03bd \u03bb\u03ac\u03b2\u1fc3 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd \u03b3\u03c5\u03bd\u03b1\u1fd6\u03ba\u03b1 \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u1f00\u03b4\u03b5\u03bb\u03c6\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6, \u1f00\u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u03b1\u03c1\u03c3\u03af\u03b1 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u1f10\u03c3\u03c4\u03af\u03bd\u00b7 <strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd<\/strong> \u1f00\u03b4\u03b5\u03bb\u03c6\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u1f00\u03c0\u03b5\u03ba\u03ac\u03bb\u03c5\u03c8\u03b5\u03bd, \u1f04\u03c4\u03b5\u03ba\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9 \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03b8\u03b1\u03bd\u03bf\u1fe6\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9. &nbsp;<\/td><td>If a man takes his brother\u2019s wife, it is impurity. He has uncovered his brother\u2019s nakedness; they shall be childless. &nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>&nbsp;<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>&nbsp;<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>&nbsp;<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>By using a word like <em>asch\u0113mosyn\u0113<\/em>, which is used in Leviticus 18 and 20 so many times, it is highly likely Paul had Leviticus 18 and 20 in mind when he used the word in Rom 1:27.&nbsp; Again, one cannot ignore Paul\u2019s condemnation of homosexual practice in Romans 1:18-32 in light of the condemnation of homosexual sex by Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ROMANS 1:24 \u2013 PAUL\u2019S SECOND ALLUSION TO LEVITICUS 18 AND 20<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Romans 1:24 (ESV) reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><sup>24<\/sup> Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity [<em>akatharsia<\/em>], to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The ESV translates the Greek noun <em>akatharsia<\/em> as \u201cimpurity\u201d and it means the state of moral impurity, especially in relationship to sexual sin\u2014\u2018impurity, immorality, filthiness.&nbsp; See Louw et al. (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 769).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The LXX uses <em>akatharsia<\/em> in Leviticus 18 and 20 as shown below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td>Lev 18:19 &nbsp;<\/td><td>\u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03c0\u03c1\u1f78\u03c2 \u03b3\u03c5\u03bd\u03b1\u1fd6\u03ba\u03b1 \u1f10\u03bd \u03c7\u03c9\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03bc\u1ff7 <strong>\u1f00\u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u03b1\u03c1\u03c3\u03af\u03b1\u03c2 <\/strong>\u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03bf\u1f50 \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c3\u03b5\u03bb\u03b5\u03cd\u03c3\u1fc3 \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03cd\u03c8\u03b1\u03b9 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd \u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2. &nbsp;<\/td><td>\u201cYou shall not approach a woman to uncover her nakedness while she is in her menstrual uncleanness. &nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lev 19:23 &nbsp;<\/td><td>\u1f4d\u03c4\u03b1\u03bd \u03b4\u1f72 \u03b5\u1f30\u03c3\u03ad\u03bb\u03b8\u03b7\u03c4\u03b5 \u03b5\u1f30\u03c2 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd \u03b3\u1fc6\u03bd \u1f23\u03bd \u039a\u03cd\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03c2 \u1f41 \u03b8\u03b5\u1f78\u03c2 \u03b4\u03af\u03b4\u03c9\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd \u1f51\u03bc\u1fd6\u03bd, \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03ba\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1\u03c6\u03c5\u03c4\u03b5\u03cd\u03c3\u03b5\u03c4\u03b5 \u03c0\u1fb6\u03bd \u03be\u03cd\u03bb\u03bf\u03bd \u03b2\u03c1\u03ce\u03c3\u03b9\u03bc\u03bf\u03bd, \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03c0\u03b5\u03c1\u03b9\u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u03b1\u03c1\u03b9\u03b5\u1fd6\u03c4\u03b5 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd <strong>\u1f00\u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u03b1\u03c1\u03c3\u03af\u03b1\u03bd<\/strong> \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6\u00b7 \u1f41 \u03ba\u03b1\u03c1\u03c0\u1f78\u03c2 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03c4\u03c1\u03af\u03b1 \u1f14\u03c4\u03b7 \u1f14\u03c3\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u1f51\u03bc\u1fd6\u03bd \u1f00\u03c0\u03b5\u03c1\u03b9\u03ba\u03ac\u03b8\u03b1\u03c1\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2, \u03bf\u1f50 \u03b2\u03c1\u03c9\u03b8\u03ae\u03c3\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9. &nbsp;<\/td><td>\u201cWhen you come into the land and plant any kind of tree for food, then you shall regard its fruit as forbidden. Three years it shall be forbidden to you; it must not be eaten. &nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lev 20:21 &nbsp;<\/td><td>\u1f43\u03c2 \u1f02\u03bd \u03bb\u03ac\u03b2\u1fc3 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd \u03b3\u03c5\u03bd\u03b1\u1fd6\u03ba\u03b1 \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u1f00\u03b4\u03b5\u03bb\u03c6\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6, <strong>\u1f00\u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u03b1\u03c1\u03c3\u03af\u03b1 <\/strong>\u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u1f10\u03c3\u03c4\u03af\u03bd\u00b7 \u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd \u1f00\u03b4\u03b5\u03bb\u03c6\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u1f00\u03c0\u03b5\u03ba\u03ac\u03bb\u03c5\u03c8\u03b5\u03bd, \u1f04\u03c4\u03b5\u03ba\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9 \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03b8\u03b1\u03bd\u03bf\u1fe6\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9. &nbsp;<\/td><td>If a man takes his brother\u2019s wife, it is impurity. He has uncovered his brother\u2019s nakedness; they shall be childless. &nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lev 20:25 &nbsp;<\/td><td>\u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u1f00\u03c6\u03bf\u03c1\u03b9\u03b5\u1fd6\u03c4\u03b5 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1f7a\u03c2 \u1f00\u03bd\u1f70 \u03bc\u03ad\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd \u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd \u03ba\u03c4\u03b7\u03bd\u1ff6\u03bd \u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd \u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u03b1\u03c1\u1ff6\u03bd \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u1f00\u03bd\u1f70 \u03bc\u03ad\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd \u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd \u03ba\u03c4\u03b7\u03bd\u1ff6\u03bd \u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd \u1f00\u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u03ac\u03c1\u03c4\u03c9\u03bd, \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u1f00\u03bd\u1f70 \u03bc\u03ad\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd \u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd \u03c0\u03b5\u03c4\u03b5\u03b9\u03bd\u1ff6\u03bd \u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd \u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u03b1\u03c1\u1ff6\u03bd \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd \u1f00\u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u03ac\u03c1\u03c4\u03c9\u03bd\u00b7 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03bf\u1f50 \u03b2\u03b4\u03b5\u03bb\u03cd\u03be\u03b5\u03c4\u03b5 \u03c4\u1f70\u03c2 \u03c8\u03c5\u03c7\u1f70\u03c2 \u1f51\u03bc\u1ff6\u03bd \u1f10\u03bd \u03c4\u03bf\u1fd6\u03c2 \u03ba\u03c4\u03ae\u03bd\u03b5\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u1f10\u03bd \u03c4\u03bf\u1fd6\u03c2 \u03c0\u03b5\u03c4\u03b5\u03b9\u03bd\u03bf\u1fd6\u03c2 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u1f10\u03bd \u03c0\u1fb6\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd \u03c4\u03bf\u1fd6\u03c2 \u1f11\u03c1\u03c0\u03b5\u03c4\u03bf\u1fd6\u03c2 \u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03b3\u1fc6\u03c2, \u1f03 \u1f10\u03b3\u1f7c \u1f00\u03c6\u03ce\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03b1 \u1f51\u03bc\u1fd6\u03bd \u1f10\u03bd <strong>\u1f00\u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u03b1\u03c1\u03c3\u03af\u1fb3.<\/strong> &nbsp;<\/td><td>You shall therefore separate the clean beast from the unclean, and the unclean bird from the clean. You shall not make yourselves detestable by beast or by bird or by anything with which the ground crawls, which I have set apart for you to hold unclean. &nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The English translation of the word <em>akatharsia<\/em> in the LXX comprise \u201cuncleaness\u201d, \u201cyou regard as \u2026 forbidden\u201d, \u201cimpurity\u201d, and \u201chold unclean.\u201d &nbsp;These usages make it likely that Paul had Leviticus 18 and 20 in mind when he wrote Romans 1:24.&nbsp; Again, one cannot ignore Paul\u2019s condemnation of homosexual practice in Romans 1:18-32 in light of the condemnation of homosexual sex by Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ROMANS 1:32 \u2013 PAUL\u2019S THIRD ALLUSION TO LEVITICUS 18:22 AND 20:13<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The third allusion to Leviticus 18 and 20 is contained in Romans 1:32 (ESV), which reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><sup>32<\/sup> Though they know God\u2019s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The preceding text of Romans 1:28\u201331 (ESV) reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><sup>28<\/sup> And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. <sup>29<\/sup> They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, <sup>30<\/sup> slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, <sup>31<\/sup> foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. <sup>32<\/sup> Though they know God\u2019s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Romans 1:32 says that the people who satisfied the laundry list of evilness in verses 28-31 \u201cknow God\u2019s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ESV translates the Greek verb <em>epigin\u014dsk\u014d<\/em> and \u201cThough \u2026 know\u201d and it means to come to an understanding as the result of ability to experience and learn\u2014\u2018to come to understand, to perceive, to comprehend.\u2019&nbsp; See Louw et al. (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 381).&nbsp; The sense of the verb is to discern something clearly and distinctly as true and valid.&nbsp; &nbsp;The ESV translates the Greek noun <em>diakai\u014dma<\/em> as \u201crighteous decree\u201d and it means (derivative of \u03b4\u03b9\u03ba\u03b1\u03b9\u03cc\u03c9 \u2018to act justly,\u2019 not occurring in the NT) a regulation concerning right or just action\u2014\u2018regulation, requirement.&nbsp; See Louw et al. (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 426). &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Paul then went on to better describe the \u201crighteous decree\u201d by the expression \u201cthat those who practice such things deserve to die,\u2026\u201d&nbsp; The ESV translates the Greek verb <em>prasso<\/em> as \u201cwho practice\u201d and it means to carry out some activity (with possible focus upon the procedures involved)\u2014\u2018to do, to carry out, to perform, deed.\u2019&nbsp; See Louw et al. (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 511). &nbsp;Here, the \u201csuch things\u201d comprises the male-male and female-female homosexual sex. &nbsp;&nbsp;The \u201crighteous decree\u201d provides for the death penalty per the expression \u201cdeserve to die.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The combination of homosexual practice (i.e., \u201csuch things\u201d), knowledge (i.e., \u201cthey know\u201d) that homosexual practice violated God\u2019s moral law (i.e., the \u201crighteous decree\u201d of Leviticus 18:22) and the death penalty (i.e., the \u201crighteous decree\u201d of Leviticus 20:13) leaves little doubt that the \u201crighteous decree\u201d to which Paul referred is the prohibition set out in Leviticus 18:22 and the punishment as set forth in Leviticus 20:13 (ESV):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><sup>13<\/sup> If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>One commentary (Utley, R. J. (1998). The Gospel according to Paul: Romans (Vol. Volume 5, Ro 1:32). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International) reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>1:32 \u201cthose who practice such things are worthy of death\u201d This statement reflects the Law of Moses.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>In an article entitled \u201cA Comprehensive and Critical Essay of Homosexuality, Science and the \u2018Plain Sense\u2019 of Sripture, Part 2\u201d, Dr. Robert Gagnon makes the connection between Romans 1:32 and Leviticus 20:13 when he wrote (footnote 115, page 233):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cWorthy of death\u201d in Rom, 1:32 may also have called to mind the capital sentence pronounced on man-male intercourse in Lev. 20:13.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>CONCLUSION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is very probable that Paul had Leviticus 18 and 20 in mind when he wrote Romans 1:18-32.&nbsp; More specifically, it seems very likely he had Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 in mind, especially in light of Romans 1:24, 27 and 32.&nbsp; This being the case, the pro-LGBTQ faction of the UMC wrongly discards Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 from the Bible for the 21<sup>st<\/sup> Century. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Please send me any comments to <a href=\"mailto:steve@stevebelsheim.com\">steve@stevebelsheim.com<\/a> or use the comments feature of the blog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NOTICE OF PERMISSIONS &#8211; I am mindful of and respect the rights other authors and publishers possess in their works.&nbsp; I thus try my best not to violate any copyright rights other authors and publishers possess in their works.&nbsp; The below copyright permission statement is the result of my best efforts to understand that limited usage or \u201cfair use\u201d is available and to secure direct permission for specific works.&nbsp; Scripture quotations are from the ESV\u00ae Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.&nbsp; Used by permission.&nbsp; The quotations from news sources are fair use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scripture marked \u201cNASB95\u201d are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE\u00ae, Copyright \u00a9 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scripture marked \u201cNCV\u201d is taken from the New Century Version. Copyright \u00a9 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Scriptures marked \u201cNET\u201d are quoted are from the NET Bible\u00ae&nbsp; http:\/\/netbible.com&nbsp;copyright \u00a91996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright \u00a9 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scripture marked \u201cGW\u201d is taken from the God\u2019s Word Bible that is <em>a copyrighted work of God&#8217;s Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>INTRODUCTION Paul\u2019s allusions in Romans 1:18-32 to language from Leviticus 18 and 20 in the LXX (the Septuagint which is the Greek translation of the Old Testament) show that the prohibition against homosexual sex was alive and well when Paul wrote Romans.&nbsp; These prohibitions remain applicable to today.&nbsp; Thus, the pro-LGBTQ faction is wrong to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[319],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-565","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-lgbtq"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/565","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=565"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/565\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2159,"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/565\/revisions\/2159"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=565"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=565"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=565"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}