There is no difference between a male temple prostitute or a female temple prostitute. They both engage in ritual prostitution. This verse has absolutely nothing to do with homosexuality.

The verse above is from the King James Version and the translators of that version are adding more to the verse than is actually there. Other translations have this verse correctly translated. See the New American Standard Bible (NASB) and the New International Version (NIV)

Romans 1:26-28

“For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which is not proper.”

The main theme Paul addresses in the Book of Romans is that justification and salvation comes from the redemptive work of Christ Jesus on the cross. Paul tells us through the verses of Romans 1:18-3:20 that all of mankind is unrighteous, both Gentile and Jew. All people are unrighteous and we are all saved by faith in the shed blood of Jesus for the remission of our sins.

To fully understand who Paul was addressing in Romans 1:26-28, we have to examine different factors then bring them all together to make a sound conclusion of who and to what these verses are referring.

There are questions that need to be asked in order to reach a conclusion regarding this issue. Who was Paul talking to when he wrote the Book of Romans? What issue was Paul addressing and why was he addressing it? When and where was the Book of Romans penned and what was the culture like during that time in history?

First question: Who was Paul talking to when he wrote the Book of Romans?
Paul was talking to both the Gentiles and the Jews. Basically, he was addressing the whole human race.

Second question: What issue was Paul addressing and why was he addressing it? Paul was addressing the unrighteous of the whole human race, both Jew and Gentile. We all are saved and justified by the redemptive work of Christ Jesus on the cross. We all must have faith that Jesus shed His blood for the remission of our sins. (Romans 3:25) Everyone must also confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead in order to be saved. (Romans 10:9-10)

Third question: When and where was the book of Romans penned and what was the culture like during that time in history? The Book of Romans was written around A.D. 57 in the city of Corinth. Gentiles were idolaters. The Romans and the Greeks both worshipped gods and goddesses and there were others who engaged in other pagan practices. The Jews thought they were justified by following the letter of the Law.

So now that we know the circumstances behind the Book of Romans, it is time to take a closer look at Romans 1:26-28. Let’s start with verse 26.