Homosexuality in corinthians
Does the Greek synonyms arsenokoitai in 1 Corinthians really verb “homosexuals” or something else?
Answer
In 1 Corinthians –10 Paul lists some sinful lifestyles that give evidence that a person is not saved: “Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men . . . will inherit the kingdom of God.” In other words, a practicing, unrepentant idolater, adulterer, or homosexual is fooling himself if he thinks he is going to heaven. Christians are saved from such sins.
There are some interpreters today who object to lumping homosexuals in with the other sinners listed in this passage. The wording “men who have sex with men” is unclear, they say, and should not be construed as a condemnation of allsame-sex activity. In an attempt to produce homosexual behaviorcompatible with Christianity, they attempt to redefine the Greek word.
The phrase “men who possess sex with men” (translated “homosexuals” in the NASB) is a translation of the Greek pos arsenokoitai
Introduction
Paul uses two words in 1 Cor , “μαλακοὶ” (malakoi) and “ἀρσενοκοῖται” (arsenokoitai), that are as important to Paul’s understanding of sexuality as they are difficult to know. Consider how differently leading English translations render this part of the verse.
“men who practice homosexuality” (ESV; a marginal note reads, “The two Greek terms translated by this phrase refer to the passive and active partners in consensual homosexual acts”)
“men who include sex with men” (NIV []; a marginal note reads, “The words men who have sex with men translate two Greek words that refer to the passive and active participants in homosexual acts”)
“male prostitutes … homosexual offenders” (NIV []
“effeminate … homosexuals” (NASB ; a marginal note to the first synonyms reads, “i.e. effeminate by perversion”
“effeminate … sodomites” (NKJV)
“effeminate … abusers of themselves with mankind” (AV)
These translations appear to approve that the individuals in view are men who are engaged in some kind of sexual activity of which Paul disapproves. But the translations’ differe
What does it imply that a person will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians )?
Answer
The apostle Paul mentions those not inheriting the kingdom of Godin his first letter to the church at Corinth: “Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Execute not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who own sex with men a nor thieves nor the avaricious nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians –10).
By saying wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God, Paul is stating that the wicked are not children of God; they have no inheritance in heaven. They are not heirs of eternal life (cp. Romans ). The list of sins is not comprehensive, but it covers a lot of ground: fornication, idolatry, adultery, homosexuality, theft, greed, drunkenness, slander, and cheating are indicative of a person who is excluded from the kingdom of God.
Does this imply that anyone who has ever involved one of these sins will be denied entrance to heaven? Praise the Lord, no. God’s forgivenes
1 Corinthians
ESVOr verb you not comprehend that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
NIVOr do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men
NASBOr undertake you not understand that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals,
CSBDon’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or males who possess sex with males,
NLTDon’t you realize that those who carry out wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or train homosexuality,
KJVKnow ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicator