If your Bible says that “homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God,” there is something important to understand:
Paul did not use the English word “homosexual.”
He wrote in Greek, and in 1 Corinthians 6:9 the words at the center of this discussion are malakoi and arsenokoitai.
That doesn’t automatically make the passage affirming.
It does mean we need to ask a much more careful question:
What exactly was Paul describing?
Malakoi literally means “soft” and was used in different ways in the ancient world.
Arsenokoitai is a much more unusual word. Many scholars believe it draws upon the Greek wording of the Leviticus prohibitions we’ve already discussed.
But Christians and scholars continue to debate the precise range of behavior Paul intended.
Was he addressing exploitation? Prostitution? Pederasty? Sex involving power and status?
Or was Paul prohibiting every sexual relationship between two men — including the loving, faithful, covenantal same-sex relationships we recognize today?
That is where the real conversation is.
Affirming theology doesn’t require us to pretend difficult verses aren’t there. It asks us to take them seriously enough to examine their language, history and context before using an English translation to make sweeping statements about millions of people.
Translation requires interpretation.
And when these words have been used to tell LGBTQ people what God thinks of them, I believe we owe them something more than:
“My Bible says it. End of discussion.”
Let’s look at the words.
Let’s look at the context.
And let’s be honest about what we know — and what we don’t.
Affirming Theology — Part 4
1 Corinthians 6:9–10
Darkness may be part of the journey, but it doesn’t have to be the destination.
Light Heals.
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