Gender vs Sex

Text from GotQuestions

Until the 1950s, the idea of differentiating between sex and gender was completely foreign to the medical and psychological communities. After all, aside from extremely rare instances, every human being has either two X chromosomes, and is therefore biologically female, or an X and a Y chromosome, and is therefore biologically male. It was not until the past decade or so that a distinction between sex and gender became popularized. Popular culture and postmodern psychology, however, do not change the fact that human beings are either XX or XY. No amount of hormone therapy or surgery can change that fact.

Adding to the confusion is the multiplication of alternate gender options that have appeared in recent years. There are now upwards of 50 gender options, including, but not limited to the following: agender, androgyne, androgynous, bigender, cisgender, gender fluid, gender nonconforming, gender questioning, gender variant, genderqueer, non-binary, pangender, transfeminine, transmasculine, transgender, and transsexual. If those options are not sufficient, many surveys also include choices such as “neither,” “other,” and “none of the above.”

The closest the Bible comes to mentioning gender dysphoria is likely in its condemnation of transvestitism in Deuteronomy 22:5, its mention of certain men being born eunuchs (born with abnormal sexual function) in Matthew 19:12, or its consistent declaration of the sinfulness of homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26–27; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10).

The Bible nowhere mentions a man believing himself to be a woman, or vice versa. The Bible is explicitly consistent in equating gender with biological sex. Biblically speaking, human beings are male or female. There is no gender spectrum or continuum even hinted at in the Bible.

With that said, the Bible does teach that sin has devastating effects on humanity (Genesis 2:17; 6:5; Judges 17:6; Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:10–23; 8:22). If, in this fallen world, males can be born eunuchs and a small percentage of people can be born with hermaphroditism, then it is reasonable to assume that sin could also impact the aspects of our being that determine sexual attraction and/or gender identity. If people are born with all sorts of other birth defects, it is dubious to claim gender dysphoria could not also be a birth defect.

At the same time, sins such as anger and lust, even though they can have a biological component, are still sins. Even if there is a legitimate biological/genetic basis to a certain person’s gender dysphoria, the fact remains that embracing that dysphoria is sinful.

As Christians, we should show grace and compassion to those struggling with transgenderism. We should never forget that every human being, male or female, is created in the image and likeness of God. We should speak the truth that there are only two genders while also demonstrating love to those struggling with gender dysphoria (see Ephesians 4:15).

Verses in Order of Listing

Deuteronomy 22:5

A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the LORD your God.

Matthew 19:12

For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.”

Leviticus 18:22

You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.

Romans 1:26-27

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

1 Corinthians 6:9

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites.

1 Timothy 1:10

For fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.

Genesis 2:17

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.

Genesis 6:5

Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Judges 17:6

In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Psalms 51:5

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.

Romans 3:10-23

As it is written:

“There is none righteous, no, not one;
11 There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God.
12 They have all turned aside;
They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one.”
13 “Their throat is an open tomb;
With their tongues they have practiced deceit”;
“The poison of asps is under their lips”;
14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways;
17 And the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Romans 8:22

For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

Ephesians 4:15

Speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ.