Do you want to go through the chapter verse by verse? Cause I will!
What I put in bold should clue you in to the point that there is previous information to consider. "For what reason?" . You have to go back at least to verse 21 to find out the reason God gave them up to it.
Romans 1:21-23 KJV
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [22] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, [23] And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
This is what Paul said was the problem. I have no doubt they had homosexual tendencies, but the bottom line is that they were exposed to the truth and rejected it.
Homosexuality is a sin. But it is not what got this group in trouble.
Oh really? I have stated I am defending God's grace and have stated homosexuality is a sin...
Oh really? I think I am defending those under God's grace. I've already pointed out the real cause here of God's wrath: rejection of God. I have stated homosexuality is a sin and briefly mentioned that those who Paul was speaking of was a soceity that spun out of control.
Want to discuss that spinning out of control? There are 21 things listed after homosexuality that detail that society. Without a doubt in my mind, I can say a large part of the Christian community is guilty of.
So I don't understand why you say I am defending homosexuality (or any sin, for that matter) when I have clearly stated it is a sin. If you disagree with me that this or any sin of the flesh is NOT covered by grace, fine. State your case.
I don't draw a box around 2 verses. By the way... Did I mention that I believe homosexuality is a sin? Yeah, I have. Many times! But what I find unfathomable is that you are not only ignoring the whole chapter, but the rest of the epistle! I mean... How are you going to escape the first 4 verses of the second chapter?
It may shock you... But I actually do believe homosexuality is a sin. But I defending grace. Romans 1:26-27 is NOT clear on it's own. You have to read the whole chapter.
Now, I hope you understand that we both agree that homosexuality is a sin. Are we clear on that? Ok. Now does grace cover it?
Romans 5:20 says where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.
Not barely abounded. No maybe it will. It MUCH MORE abounds! Now you tread on dangerous ground. I know you want to go to chapter 6:1 and half of verse 2. Fine. But first off, that would be hypocritical since you just want to stick in the box of Romans 1:26-27. Second, would you be willing to read all of chapter 6?
Somehow you appear to be assuming I don't think sodomy is forgivable.
Please stop with your assuming and condemning assertions.
You don't know what you're talking about, that much is clear, although I can appreciate that you try to use context, unlike many others.
You said homosexuality
wasn't the problem.
That is what I'm addressing.
That said, you are incorrect, it is the problem, which is why it is mentioned.
Romans 1:26-27
is clear on its own -- it is describing the result of God's wrath. THAT is the context of
THAT PORTION of Romans 1.
God's wrath is revealed. Do you get that? Move on from your previous argument, with Paul, and keep up.
Paul is describing how God's wrath is being revealed. You need to follow the thought along and stop being locked into a certain portion and limiting the context. Paul has moved forward, you have not.
See then how it is the problem? We see God's wrath on society via all the things mentioned. We see society becoming worse today. If you cannot see that this is the problem, and how it is affecting society today, then you're not on the right track.
For the record, there are some who are sodomites whom God has elected some to salvation. We do not know who the elect are, we are only to preach the Gospel and God does the saving. Note 1 Corinthians 6:9ff
Lastly, you really need to stop acting like you're the only one preaching grace. You're not. What you are doing is making an attempt to simply overlook the sins of society, when neither God nor Scripture does this. That isn't grace, it isn't practicing grace, it is to be in a state of naivete.
I firmly believe God can save any person, no matter the sin. But this text isn't speaking of grace, that comes later in Romans. Paul is establishing that all the world is lost, and describing the sins and behaviors of a corrupt society. That's the context.