How do liberal Protestants translate the word ‘ἀρσενοκοίτης’ in 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10?
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For the purpose of this question, assume a liberal Protestant perspective which does *not* consider homosexuality to be inherently sinful.
1 Corinthians 6:9:
> Ἢ (Or) οὐκ (not) οἴδατε (do you know) ὅτι (that) ἄδικοι (the unrighteous) θεοῦ (of God) βασιλείαν (kingdom) οὐ (not) κληρονομήσουσιν (will inherit)? Μὴ (Do not) πλανᾶσθε (be deceived): οὔτε (neither) πόρνοι (the sexually immoral) οὔτε (nor) εἰδωλολάτραι (idolaters) οὔτε (nor) μοιχοὶ (adulterers) οὔτε (nor) μαλακοὶ (effeminate/passive partners in sexual immorality) οὔτε (nor) **ἀρσενοκοῖται** (???).
> Or 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**. (NIV)
1 Timothy 1:10:
> πόρνοις (for the sexually immoral), **ἀρσενοκοίταις** (???), ἀνδραποδισταῖς (for slave traders), ψεύσταις (for liars), ἐπιόρκοις (for perjurers), καὶ (and) εἴ (if) τι (anything) ἕτερον (else) τῇ (to the) ὑγιαινούσῃ (sound) διδασκαλίᾳ (teaching) ἀντίκειται (is opposed).
> For the sexually immoral, for **those practicing homosexuality**, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine. (NIV)
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"ἀρσενοκοίτης" can literally be translated as "male-bedders", i.e. people practicing male homosexuality. However, it would be the [etymological fallacy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etymological_fallacy) to assume this meaning based on no other evidence.
My question is:
For liberal Protestants who do not consider the practice of homosexuality to be a sin according to God, how is the word "ἀρσενοκοίτης" understood and/or translated into English?
Please provide a reference to either the teachings of a mainstream church or a widely accepted apologist.
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I will accept answers from:
* The perspective of people who do not view Paul as being the word of God and/or who disregard Paul's writing for any other reason.
* The perspsective of people who accept Paul as being the divinely inspired word of God but who do not interpret these passages as saying that homosexuality is always a sin.
I will not accept answers from the perspsective of people who believe homosexuality is inherently sinful -- that is not the purpose of this question.
I am specifically **not** asking whether, for example, gay sex outside of marriage is a sin, or whether adultery is a sin -- that is out of scope for this question.
I *will* accept answers along the lines of "ἀρσενοκοίτης means homosexuality but in the specific context of ...".
Asked by מרים
(139 rep)
Dec 19, 2024, 08:14 PM
Last activity: Dec 19, 2024, 10:39 PM
Last activity: Dec 19, 2024, 10:39 PM