The Bible and Homosexuality: I Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10

In a previous blog comment about the Bible and Homosexuality this topic came up. In this post I will present my evidence that I Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10 has nothing to say about homosexuality at all. In the studies that will follow it I will discuss the story of the destruction of Sodom and possibly other related scriptures and topics if there seems to be interest in this topic, as HaShem allows of course. I give strong evidence of the love and marriage of David, who became King of the Jews, and King Soul's son Jonathan here. If you are interesting in this topic be sure and comment either here or to me privately letting me.

In the following rather poor quality video I share the same basic information as appears in the textual portion of this blog. Whatever your views on this topic I invite your comments. My only request is that this discussion remain polite. Please resist to urge to insult people on either side of the debate. Let's have a nice conversation, shall we?

John of AllFaith's
Biblical Questions
Biblical Answers

Understanding I Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10 A Study by Pastor John © 1999 updated 8-1-2006

On I Corinthians 6:9 and I Timothy 1:10

Do these two verses refer to homosexuality? Nope.
Watch this video, or return to the referenced study at Grace Inclusive

This study can be viewed in my video section as well

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I Corinthians 6:9:

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind."

1 Timothy 1:10

"For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine."

At issue here are two words: malakee (found only in 1 Corinthians) and arsenokeeteh which is used in both verses. Some people assume a homosexual meaning of these words without finding out what they actually mean:

II Tim 2:15,16:

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness."

Such people accept the opinions of others, the "profane and vain babblings" of prejudice and biblical illiteracy, rather than taking the time to understand what the Bible actually teaches... and doesn't teach.

In its use here, malakee refers to a "morally weak" person. It specifically implies that this morally weak person seeks to live in luxury while refusing to do what is needful to maintain such luxuries. In other words, it bespeaks the idea of laziness and sloth, what we today might think of as a hard-core 'couch potato.'

In any case, malakee in no way refers to homosexuality in the Greek (nor to the "limp wristed" 'effeminate' stereotype that sometimes comes to mind with this word), and modern paraphrases that so present it are guilty of adding to the Scriptures and hence polluting the Word of God. To use an old fashioned word, this is heresy.

Translating arsenokeeteh as "male prostitutes" is closer, but still incorrect. It is typically males seeking out these temple prostitutes (kudos to the NIV for recognizing the temple prostitution issue here), but the temple prostitutes themselves need not be (and were not) always male, only the devotees who approach these 'incarnations' of the Pagan gods and goddesses with their "seed" to worship. More about arsenokeeteh below.

Oh, speaking of heresy, since the NIV writers believe they have the right to own and manage the use of the Bible, I need to include the following copyright material so they won't sue me for copyright infringement for quoting the Bible!:

"Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society NIV at IBS International Bible Society NIV at Zondervan Zondervan"

What they hold is the copyright to the Not Inspired Version!

For solid evidence about the inferiority of this popular paraphrase, click the running men below and follow their example:

The King James Version Defended:

Sojourners' of the Lord:

• The views of these two resources do not always reflect my own, just so you know, but they do offer good information on the ongoing King James Only debate
  (Note: If the two "men" are not running, hit reload. This is a cute animated graphic).

"Do you not know that the oil company executives will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the Bush Administration, nor American Idol voters, nor corporate big shots, nor Zondervan Press, nor heterosexuals..."

But of course I would never do such a thing because I love the Word of God!

Arsenokeeteh is from arsen meaning to "seek strength as though to lift a burden" and koite, meaning to "share a couch or bed sexually" generally and more specifically it conveys the idea of utilizing the male seed while doing so, so as to conceive or attain something desirable (note that children are not conceived in homosexual relations).

Arsenokeeteh therefore refers to one who engages in sexual practices in order to receive power or strength in some area. The meaning is clear therefore that the prohibition is directed at those who seek strength, wealth, power etc. by engaging in sex rites with the idolatrous Pagan temple prostitutes, both heterosexually and homosexually. Such practices were common in Rome (where Paul discusses it), Corinth, Ephesus (where Timothy was), and throughout the Roman Empire. The idea that the phrase could possibly refer to contemporary homosexuality is simply groundless, both textually and culturally.

It is nothing short of a heretical tragedy to find these new paraphrases like the NIV, the Living Bible, the Good News for Modern Man, etc. yielding to bigoted political pressures from those with little or no knowledge of the New Testament languages and culture and inserting words like "homosexual" or "sodomite" into their paraphrases and selling them to the public as legitimate biblical scholarship! A simple glance into Strong's Dictionary or similar resources will make this point clear in every single case.

A more accurate translation of this part of I Corinthians would be as follows, though I still love the KJV:

6:9 Know ye not that those who deal fraudulently with others shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither temple prostitutes*, nor worshipers of false gods, nor adulterers, nor the morally weak*, nor those who seek temple prostitutes*,
6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not beneficial: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

And 1 Timothy 1:10:

"For temple prostitutes, for those who seek temple prostitutes, for those who enslave others, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine."

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• pornos: male prostitutes
• malakee: morally weak
• arsenokeeteh: those who seek temple prostitutes

As always, I invite your inquiries and comments,

~Pastor John

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"Is Gay Christian an Oxymoron" Page where each verse is briefly discussed by the UFMCC.

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