²⁶ For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.  

Verses 26 and 27 give the toughest teaching on the sin of homosexuality. God calls this practice shameful, perverse, unnatural, and indecent.

²⁶ For this reason

The reason is that they entered into idolatry that distorted God’s view of sex; they worshiped gods of their own making, which was creature oriented rather than Creator oriented. They were given over to “shameful lusts.”

God gave them up to vile passions.

God gave these people up to disrespect themselves (v.24). The word “vile” carries the idea of dishonor, disgrace, shame. They brought dishonor upon themselves with the jaded passions of homosexuality. Their so-called humanism resulted in dehumanization. God gave them over to a condition, not simply a desire.

For even their women [literally females] exchanged the natural use

Women deliberately exchanged natural sexual relations with men for sex with one another. Women are usually the last to fall into sexual aberrance and promiscuity. That is why Paul used the term “even.”

The term “natural” was used of intimate sexual intercourse. Lesbianism is unnatural, an abnormal sexual function.

for what is against nature.

The word “nature” carries the idea of natural order. Women involved in lesbianism are against God’s natural order of things.

PRINCIPLE:

False belief ultimately leads to immorality.

APPLICATION:

Lesbianism is not a valid “alternative lifestyle.” It is not in God’s order of things but is an indication of rebellion against God and against His order in creation.