What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality

By Daniel Helminiak

Part 3 of 3

January 29, 2003

Presented by Jack McKinney

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and 1 Timothy 1:9-10 – Abusive Sexual Relationships

Traditional Interpretation: These two passages state that homosexuals are clearly denounced and will not be allowed into heaven.

Issues to Consider

1. There is strong disagreement about what the key words in 1 Corinthians 6 and 1 Timothy 1 mean. Malakoi and arsenokoitai have been interpreted as one thing or as two separate things in different translations. These words are variously translated as “sexual perverts” (Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament), “male prostitutes” and “sodomites” (New Revised Standard Version), “homosexuals” (Revised Standard Version), “the self-indulgent” (New Jerusalem Bible), and prior to the sixteenth century the word malakoi was consistently interpreted as “masturbators.” Such confusion in the biblical translations reveals how little we know about what these words actually mean.

2. The best modern biblical scholars also disagree on what is being described in these texts. Malakoi has been translated as “loose, wanton, unrestrained” (John Boswell), “wasteful of both sexual and financial resources,” (William Countryman), or “effeminate, but not in terms of sexual orientation” (Robin Scroggs). Boswell and Countrymen suggest that arsenokoitai refers to “male prostitutes,” while Scroggs seems convinced that the word is a reference to “pederasty” or the practice of an older man taking advantage of a younger boy.

The Interesting Twist

1. There is no clear indication that these words are even referring to homogenital sex. The variety of ways in which biblical translations have handled these words points to the fact that there is no consensus. There is a stronger case to be made that arsenokoitai does refer to male-male sexual contact, but in no way is it clear that it refers to homosexuality.

2. While Bible translations and modern biblical scholars disagree about what these words mean or refer to specifically, there is a general consensus that the actions being denounced in these texts are about abuse, not sexual orientation. Whether the abuse is loose and careless sexual behavior in general, the abuses related to prostitution, or the abuse of pederasty, there is no equivalent between what is being judged in these texts and the loving commitment of people in same-gender relationships.

The Bigger Questions

1. Why are Christians not more concerned about the kinds of sexual abuse being described in these texts rather than being fixated on a possible homosexual connection to these words?

2. Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church is written to a congregation struggling with issues over sexuality. How do we as Christians living in the modern world struggle with the same questions without succumbing to a judgmental spirit on the one hand, or a complete lack of sexual restraint on the other hand?

Conclusions

1. We have been told that the Bible clearly denounces homosexuality. In reality, there is not a single text in the scripture that talks about the psychological or sociological definitions of homosexuality. The only passages that may even suggest a larger discussion on the issue paint the love between people of the same gender in a positive light (David and Jonathan).

2. Six texts have been used as a judgment against gays and lesbians. The sin of Sodom text in Genesis 19 is not a reference to homosexuality or homosexual acts according to the Bible’s own interpretation of that passage. The two abomination texts in Leviticus are part of the Jewish purity laws and are not meant to be moral prohibitions for all time. If they were meant to be used by us today, why do we not use other laws from the Holiness Code? The Romans 1 text also appears to be a discussion of purity, not sin, and in any case Paul’s point is to emphasize the grace of God and the unity of Jews and Greeks, not the judgment of homosexuals. The lack of clarity about what is being discussed in 1 Corinthians 6 and 1 Timothy 1 makes those passages almost useless in a discussion on what the Bible says about homosexuality. Clearly, the Bible says very little on the subject, and what it does say has no connection to our modern-day debate about people of the same sex having the right to pursue the same kinds of relationships as heterosexuals.

3. This study reveals the danger of a literal reading of the scriptures. Sometimes what the Bible says changes from translation to translation. It is important that we dig deep enough to get a more complete picture of what the Bible is or isn’t talking about. But how should we read the Bible, especially if we have little training or knowledge about its contents? Start by remembering the big, overarching themes in the Bible: God’s love for all people; the importance of justice in relationships; the care of those who are neglected and abused; the emphasis on sacrifice and service. As you read the texts make sure these larger themes are part of your interpretation. Also, be careful not to fall into the pattern of reading the Bible like a book of rules. Let the power of the narratives have sway over you. Sometimes that requires doing research to figure out what the real story is behind a passage. Much of the power and positive influence the Bible has over us comes out of the role of biblical narratives in our lives.