What was the sin for which God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The sin of Sodom and Gomorrah encompassed various forms of sexual immorality, including the infamous attempted homosexual gang rape described in Genesis 19. However, their sin extended beyond this specific act to a pervasive culture of wickedness, ungodliness, and depravity. Ezekiel 16 confirms this depravity, stating that they did abominations before God. Jude 1:7 highlights their indulgence in "sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire," indicating a broader pattern of unnatural sexual practices. The cities' wickedness had become so great that they were marked for divine judgment. The Old and New Testaments both reveal that Sodom and Gomorrah were judged for depravity, particularly sexually. A more accurate view would state Sodom and Gomorrah were cities known for their many sinful actions, including homosexuality and even the attempted same-sex gang rape of visitors. The cities had fewer than ten righteous people. God condemned their sin and brought judgment upon the cities, sparing Lot and his two daughters (Lot's wife was also given the opportunity to escape, though she disobeyed while fleeing and died, turning into a pillar of salt.). The judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah calls us to take our sin seriously and to remember that God’s design and plans including for sexuality are best.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The biblical account of Sodom and Gomorrah is found in Genesis 18 and 19.
• In Genesis 18, the Lord shared His plans to destroy these cities due to their sins: "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave" (Genesis 18:20). Abraham begged for God to relent. The Lord said He would if He could find ten righteous people in the city (Genesis 18:32).
• In chapter 19, two angels appearing as men entered Sodom at night. Lot saw them and offered them housing. Genesis 19:4–5 says, "But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot, 'Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them.'" When Lot refused, they attempted to break down the door and forcibly have sex with these two men.
• The two men shared, "For we are about to destroy this place, because the outcry against its people has become great before the LORD, and the LORD has sent us to destroy it" (Genesis 19:13). They clearly note the reason was due to the sin of the city. This was highlighted in the attempt of homosexual gang rape, considered a detestable act, but was not limited to this one action.
• The overall sin of Sodom and Gomorrah had become so great that fewer than ten righteous people lived in the city. In fact, only Lot and his two daughters survived. Lot was not perfect, yet his life must have still been surrendered to God, repenting of his indifference to sin and his engagement in it, because God counts him as righteous. In addition, the city was so wicked that its men would attempt to rape men visiting the city. As it was in Judges 19—everyone did what was right in their own eyes including all sorts of abominations.
• Isaiah 1:9-10 and 3:9 compare the sins of Judah’s leaders to Sodom, describing their blatant display of sin and disregard for God.
• Isaiah 13:19 portrays Sodom's destruction as divine judgment against wickedness and pride.
• Jeremiah 23:14 condemns the prophets of Jerusalem for committing adultery, lying, and strengthening evildoers, likening them to Sodom and Gomorrah.
• Jeremiah 49:18 and 50:40 use Sodom's destruction as a warning of God’s judgment against other nations that have followed in similar sins.
• Ezekiel 16:49-50 emphasizes that Sodom's sins included arrogance, selfish indulgence, and a lack of compassion for the vulnerable, along with committing abominations before God. It was not just a lack of hospitality that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.
• Amos 4:11 highlights that, despite witnessing God’s acts of judgment similar to Sodom’s destruction, Israel failed to return to Him. Even God’s judgment is meant to bring us back to God in repentance and reconciliation.
• Zephaniah 2:9 refers to the desolation of Sodom and Gomorrah as a punishment that will come upon nations that are hostile and arrogant toward God’s people

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Matthew 11:24 and Luke 10:12 both mention Sodom and Gomorrah in the context of judgment and sin. Jesus compares the judgment that will come upon unrepentant cities, including Chorazin and Bethsaida, to the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah. Ultimately, those who reject Him will incur a harsher judgment than the already harsh judgment faced by Sodom and Gomorrah.
• The sin of Sodom and Gomorrah is mentioned in multiple places in the New Testament. In Luke 17:29, Jesus refers to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah when He speaks about the coming judgment.
• In Romans 9:29, in his discussion about God's judgment and mercy, the apostle Paul references a passage from Isaiah that speaks of Sodom.
• Second Peter 2:6–8 mentions Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of God's judgment upon the ungodly.
• Jude 1:7 refers to the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of divine punishment. It reads: “just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.”
• Revelation 11:8 refers to the city where the two witnesses of the end times are killed and compares that city to Sodom and Egypt. Clearly the city was morally corrupt and rejected God's message, just as Sodom and Egypt did.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Sodom and Gomorrah teach us the seriousness of living a life marked by unrepentant sin and moral depravity. While the cities' sins included various forms of immorality, including the infamous attempted homosexual rape, their downfall wasn't solely because of one specific act but because of a pervasive culture of wickedness and ungodliness. This story serves as a warning about the consequences of allowing sin to flourish unchecked in society or in our own lives. It teaches us the importance of righteousness, moral integrity, and standing firm in obedience to God even when surrounded by wickedness. Additionally, it reminds us of God's judgment upon unrighteousness and the importance of repentance. Lot's escape with his family highlights the importance of remaining faithful to God even in the midst of a corrupt environment. Lot was not the best example in this although 2 Peter 2:8 calls him righteous. Despite Lot’s failures, his heart must not have been hardened against God and he was truly saved, repenting of his sins. What shows us the importance of remaining faithful is God’s judgment against depravity and rejection of Him. Along with the call to remain faithful to God and His ways, we ultimately see God

Those who call homosexuality the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah are only partly right. All sin separates people from God. Every person stands in need of God's grace and forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ to receive eternal life (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8–9).

UNDERSTAND

• Sodom and Gomorrah were known for their widespread sexual depravity.
• Sodom and Gomorrah’s sin extended beyond homosexuality and sexual sin to encompass a culture of moral corruption and unrighteousness.
• As a consequence of their sin, God destroyed the cities as a warning of His judgment upon unrepentant wickedness.

REFLECT

• How does the story of Sodom and Gomorrah challenge your understanding of the seriousness of sin in your own life?
• In what ways do you see patterns of moral corruption and ungodliness in society today, and how can you respond as a person of faith?
• Reflect on Lot's experience. What does this account teach you about remaining faithful to God in challenging and corrupt environments?

ENGAGE

• While modern readers of the account often focus exclusively on homosexuality as the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah, the context clearly indicates this as one part of the overall sinful nature of the area's residents. Same sex activity is clearly condemned in both the Old and New Testaments (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:18-23), so it is not a matter of debate whether this action was considered sinful, but rather whether homosexuality was "the" sin that led to Sodom and Gomorrah's destruction.
• Some people suggest that the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah included a failure of hospitality, as they attempted violence against the visiting angels instead of offering them safety. However, the primary biblical focus remains on their sexual immorality and wickedness as the reasons for their destruction.
• In what ways do you see the themes of judgment and mercy intersecting in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, and what lessons can we draw from this for our lives today?