The Biblical Perspective on Homosexuality: A Thorough Examination

Understanding the Biblical Perspective

The question of whether homosexuality is considered a sin in Christian faith has been a subject of intense debate and inquiry. While Jesus personally did not address homosexuality, the Bible, with its divine inspiration, provides guidance. This article explores the biblical perspective on homosexuality through the lens of specific passages, particularly focusing on the Greek words malakos and arsenokoites.

The Greek Translation of “Effeminate”

In 1 Corinthians 6:9, the New American Standard Bible (NASB) translates a significant passage as follows:

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you, but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

The Greek word for “effeminate” is malakos. This term is used to describe the passive male partner in homosexual intercourse. It captures a derogatory connotation, implying a deviation from traditional masculinity.

The Greek Translation of “Homosexual”

Further, in the same verse, the Greek term arsenokoites is used to describe the active male partner in homosexual relations. This compound word literally means “one who lies with a male as with a female.”

Thayer’s lexicon offers additional insight, translating arsenokoites as “one who lies with a male as with a female, a sodomite.”

The Consensus Among Greek Lexicons

The New Testament Koine Greek lexicons agree on the definitions of these terms, providing a clear and consistent interpretation. Louw and Nida summarize these terms as follows:

“It is possible that arsenokoites in certain contexts refers to the active male partner in homosexual intercourse in contrast with malakos the passive male partner.”

These definitions highlight the biblical perspective on homosexuality, emphasizing a distinction between the active and passive partners.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on homosexuality, as reflected in 1 Corinthians 6:9, is rooted in a clear and unambiguous interpretation of the Greek terms malakos and arsenokoites. This passage and its translations provide specific guidance, indicating that participation in homosexual acts is seen as a sin in the Christian tradition. However, the nuanced distinction between the active and passive partners continues to be a matter of theological discussion.

References
[1] Translation of 1 Corinthians 6:9 by the NASB.
[2] Dictionary of New Testament Words, p. 381.
[3] Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament, p. 633.
[4] Baltz, D. P., Schneider, G. (1988). Compact Thesaurus of New Testament Greek. Sacramento, CA: D. P. Baltz Pub., p. 277.
[5] Thayer, J. H. (1889). A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. New York: T. T. Clark, p. 589.
[6] Thayer’s lexicon translation of 1 Corinthians 6:9.
[7] Louw, J. P., Nida, E. A. (1989). Natural Semantics. Atlanta, GA: Logos Bible Software, p. 355.