Eunuchs

Does the passage in Matthew 19:12, dealing with eunuchs, have reference to one becoming a homosexual?

This language is taken from the King James Version, where it says, "For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake."

As one studies the Scriptures, it is required to handle these Scriptures in a right manner (2 Timothy 2:15). All Scripture is given to us by the inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16). We need to understand that there are no contradictions in Scripture (Acts 17:11). We, therefore, never set one Bible verse against another Bible verse. If we feel we have found a contradiction, then we must study deeper until we clear up the variance. That is certainly true with this question.

The Old Testament cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because the cry of their wickedness had come up before God (Genesis 19:13). They were destroyed, not because of inhospitality (as some have claimed), but because of their sexual sins that controlled their lives. Men were desiring men! The Jew had an advantage over the rest of the world because he had the written Word of God since the days of Moses at Sinai (Romans 3:2). God's Word forbade men to lie with other men like one does with a woman (Leviticus 18:22). Homosexuality is condemned in Romans 1:26-27 and Paul said, "these people will not receive God's kingdom" (1 Corinthians 6:9., NCV).

I know then, since homosexuality is condemned by God as a sin, that Matthew 19:12 is not dealing with homosexuals. What then is a eunuch? The American Heritage Dictionary tells us that eunuch is one who is unmasculine or powerless as a man. The Greek word eunoukhos (eune, "bed," and ekhein, "to keep") describes a man employed to take charge of the women of a harem and act as chamberlain. A eunuch, of course, was ideally suited to guard the bedchamber of the women, since he was nonfunctioning as a man.

The issue that was raised was about marriage and who could be married. A eunuch was a person who is unwilling or unable to marry. H. Leo Boles, in his commentary on Matthew, states this about those who were born so from their mother's womb: "They were born with some physical defect." Others suffered so from some violent and wicked maiming of the body. Still others chose to not marry for the sake of the kingdom of God.

Those who practice homosexuality can find no solace in this verse at all. A eunuch, in this verse, is praised. A homosexual, throughout all of the Scriptures, is condemned as a sinner.