A Simple Two Words

The next set of verses that are used against the LGB community can be found in the New Testament epistles of 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy. Here there is contention for several reasons which will be discussed later. Both of these verses depict vice lists that the early Church christians were warned against. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and 1 Timothy 1:9-10, respectively, state:

Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers—none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Cor. 6:9-10)

This means understanding that the law is laid down not for the innocent but for the lawless and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers, fornicators, sodomites, slave traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching. (1 Tim 1:9-10)

It is interesting that these verses are used and usually only homosexuality is pointed out in this list, when there is clearly more being talked about. On top of this there are two words used in these verses that are the cause of contention for translators and interpreters of Scripture. It is interesting to note that the two words that are used in the 1 Corinthians text are malakoi and arsenokoitai. In the NRSV these words are translated as male prostitutes and sodomites, respectively. When we turn to the ESV these two words have been translated as the phrase “men who practice homosexuality.” The NIV similarly translates these two words as ‘men who have sex with men.’ It is interesting that there is not even a standard way to translate these two words into English, yet Christians have used these two words to condemn an entire community. It is also interesting that the word malakoi is only used 4 times in the New Testament. It also appears in Matthew 11:8 twice and Luke 7:25. In these verses this word is translated as soft in regards to the type of clothing that men were wearing. 

In 1 Corinthian this word takes one a unique meaning, and it is clear that it is referring to gay sex, however what it is specifically talking about is unclear. It could be argued that this word is referring to a man who takes on the ‘womens’ role during homosexual acts between two men. It would have been thought that the submissive partner in homosexual acts was then taking on the role of a woman, and therefore bringing shame upon himself. 

In regards to the word arsenokoitai, “this word was the source of significant debate among scholars.” (Lee, Torn, 185) While these verses are discussing some form of same-sex behaviour, it is near impossible to posit whether or not they are referring to what we consider today to be same-sex monogamous relationships. The ambiguity with these words creates enough distance between Greco-Roman understandings and modern understandings of same-sex relationships, that we can’t use these verses to condemn modern same-sex unions. 

We also have to remember that focusing our use of these verses on homosexuality alone, not only does a disservice to the text, but also does a disservice to LGBTQ+ Christians. I have heard sermon, after sermon, and Christian after Christian use these verses to condemn LGBTQ+ people, but what about the greedy? What about the liars? What about the robbers and drunkards that these verses talk about? 

As much as we would like to say that homosexuality is a sin like anything other, in practice, the Church holds this sin above any other sin on those lists. We allow those who are liars and commit other acts of injustice a free pass in the Church. We give them a slap on the wrist, but when a gay couple comes in they may not be able to serve in the Church. They will most definitely be gawked at my attendees and the pastors. The simple words of malakoi and arsenokoitai, have caused massive divisions between Christians, and has been used to discredit the faith of LGBTQ+ Christians.