1 Corinthians

(and 1 Timothy)

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders (OUTE MALAKOI OUTE ARSENOKOITAI) nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the mane of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

1 Timothy 1:9-10

"the law is laid down not for the innocent but for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers, fornicators, sodomites (ARSENOKOITAI), slave traders, liars, perjurers and whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching..."

The meaning of these verses in regards to homogenital acts depends on the translation of two Greek words: MALAKOI and ARSENOKOITAI, and their translation is highly debated. Basically, MALAKOI has no specific reference to homogenitality, but ARSENOKOITAI is some kind of reference to male same sex acts. A literal translation of the Hebrew word for this relates to the prohibition of the same sex acts as in Leviticus. This is how it was interpretted by first-century, Greek-speaking, Jewish Christians. Specifically, these texts condemn not homogenital acts in general, but exploitative, wanton, lewd, irresponsible sexual behavior. Therefore, this verse would be speaking equally against this type of behavior in hetero- OR homosexuality.

The word MALAKOS (plural MALAKOI) is a very common word that literally means "soft". It is said of clothing in Matthew 11:8. Applied to moral issues as here, it could be implied to mean "loose", "wanton", "unrestrained", or "undisciplined". This seems to be the most sensible translation of the 1 Corinthians passage. The word MALAKOS was also applied to heterosexuals who were wanton or loose. It is a general condemnation of moral looseness and lewd, lustful behavior.

The lesson to be learned in these verses is that these principles apply equally to both hetero- and homosexuality.
Also see:
http://www.whosoever.org/bible/corin.html
ftp://members.aol.com/mike77777/index3b5.html
http://www.whosoever.org/bible/tim.html

Introduction Bible interpretation Leviticus Sodom Romans 1 Corinthians What Jesus Had to Say What is Human Sexuality and What is Normal? Conclusions Links Comments

devold@badlands.nodak.edu Ronda DeVold
last updated 12-6-97
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