Constantine Tsutras, ORDM.

BIBLE AND HOMOSEXUALITY

What does the Bible really say about homosexuality?


Here are the two most common biblical verses used to condemn “homosexuality.” If you are not familiar with them, here are two translations of each:


1 Corinthians 6:9-10


Holman Christian Standard Bible

“Don't you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God's kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or anyone practicing homosexuality, no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God's kingdom.”


Young's Literal Translation

“Have ye not known that the unrighteous the reign of God shall not inherit? be not led astray; neither whoremongers, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, the reign of God shall inherit.”


1 Timothy 1:10


Holman Christian Standard Bible

“10 for the sexually immoral and homosexuals, for kidnappers,[a] liars, perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching ...”


Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

“10 whoremongers, sodomites, men-stealers, liars, perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that to sound doctrine is adverse, ...”


The people who use biblical scripture to judge homosexuals simply do not know what the bible actually says in it's original language of Greek and Hebrew. There are two words from 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy that are used for this condemnation and they have both been improperly translated into English.


"The word arsenokoites in 1 Cor. 6:9 and 1 Tim. 1:10 has been assumed to mean “homosexual.” However the word does not mean “homosexual,” and its range of meaning includes one who anally penetrates another (female or male), a rapist, a murderer or an extortionist.


In the Bible, Jesus never used malakoi to refer to homosexuality and never described gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people by using the word malakoi. Jesus used malakos, (the singular of malakoi) in Matthew 11:8 and Luke 7:25, to describe soft luxurious clothing worn by rich people.


”But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? (malakos) behold, they that wear soft clothing (malakos) are in king’s houses.” - Matthew 11:8.


“But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? (malakos) Behold, they which are gorgeously appareled, and live delicately, are in king’s houses.” - Luke 7:25.


Church Father Clement of Alexandria (150-215 CE) clearly equates the softness of luxurious, finely made, brightly colored clothing, facial makeup and excessive attention to one’s hair, by women and men, with harlotry but not with homosexuality. Thus, Clement’s use of the malakos word group agrees with the Biblical witness of the Old Testament and with Jesus’ use of malakos in the New Testament.


The apostle Paul did not define malakoi to mean homosexuality. Instead, Paul used malakoi in precisely the same way Jesus and Clement used the malakos stem. It does not make sense that Paul used the word malakoi with a meaning completely different from the meaning Jesus and Clement gave the word.


The word malakoi, as Paul used it, conveyed the idea of moral weakness, love of fine clothing and jewelry, dressing like a harlot, spiritual and physical adultery, love of luxury or excessive pursuit of heterosexual sex.


Also, keep in mind an important fact that the word "homosexual" was not even a real word until invented and coined in the 1800's. This is far displaced from original biblical language, and has been manipulated by translators under pressure of the church system to condemn homosexuality as a lifestyle.


Truth be told ... and pay close attention because they will not openly tell you. The very reason why the church speaks out against homosexuality, anal sex, oral sex, and masturbation is simply this: "These types of sexual activities result in wasted seed." Anything that does not result in procreation is considered by the church to be a waste of "potential" life.


They should just be honest about their reasoning, and put an end to condemnation of so many people whom they claim to love. Study, research, and question everything. Wrong spiritual teachings and belief systems have resulted in suicides, mass murders, endless wars, judgement, and condemnation.


Just a thought ...


~Justin Taylor, ORDM., OCP., DM.