Difference between revisions of "Arsenokoitai"

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The word "arsenokoitai" in 1 Cor. 6:9 is a compound word that combines "ἄρσενος" (arsenos), meaning "man," and "κοίτην" (koite, from whence we derive the word "coitus") meaning "an the action related to the marriage bed". This word appears to be a reference to Lev. 18:22 LXX, where the two words "arsenos" and "koite" are used to prohibit men from lying with other men as they would with a woman. Therefore Paul's use of "arsenokoitai" in this context clearly refers to male-male sexual activity. The word "arsenokoitai" is not found in any other ancient Greek literature, and Paul's use of it serves a specific technical function in his condemnation of male-male sexual behavior in 1 Corinthians 6:9.
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The word "arsenokoitai" in 1 Cor. 6:9 is a compound word that combines "ἄρσενος" (arsenos), meaning "man," and "κοίτην" (koite, from whence we derive the word "coitus"), which functioned for Paul and the LXX translators as a euphemism for sex acts. This word appears to be a reference to Lev. 18:22 and 20:13 LXX<ref> The law in Lev. 20:13 defines the civil punishment for the action, whereas Lev. 18:22 is purely a moral prohibition for which the Canaanites were being "vomited out of the land". </ref>, where the two words "arsenos" and "koite" are used in both verses to prohibit men from lying with other men as they would with a woman. Therefore Paul's use of "arsenokoitai" in this context clearly refers to male-male sexual activity<ref> BDAG 135 s.v. ἀρσενοκοίτης states, "a male who engages in sexual activity w. a pers. of his own sex" </ref>. The word "arsenokoitai" is not found in any prior Greek literature, so it seems to be a coinage of the apostle Paul, directly referencing the law in LXX Leviticus. Thus it functions for Paul as a condemnation of ''active''<ref> It has been argued that based on the inclusion of "μαλακοὶ" (malakoi, referring to softness) when paired with arsenokoitai refers to a boy-man pedophilic relationship. However, since arsenokoitai is a compound word with reference to Lev. 18 & 20, easily definable independent of malakoi, it's more likely the two phrases refer to the passive and active partners in a male-male homosexual relationship. This is based on the understanding that in first century Greek culture, the active partner in a sexual act was seen as more masculine and dominant, while the passive partner was seen as more feminine and submissive (See: Ciampa 2010, 'The First Letter to the Corinthians', PNTC, p.363).</ref> male-male sexual behavior in 1 Cor. 6:9 (and 1 Tim. 1:10 <ref> Paul, in 1 Timothy 1:9-10, provides examples of types sins which justify a "lawful" use of the law (1 Tim. 1:8). He references "those who strike their fathers and mothers" (cf. Exod. 21:15), "murders" (cf. Exod. 20:13). Paul in arguing for the consistent application of God's law (and judgement within the church assembly - cf. 1 Cor. 6:4), unequivocally supports the civil application of Lev. 18:22, 20:13. </ref> ).
  
 
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Lev. 18:22 LXX:
greek: καὶ μετὰ ἄρσενος [arsenos] οὐ κοιμηθήσῃ κοίτην [koite] γυναικός βδέλυγμα γάρ ἐστιν
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Latest revision as of 02:27, 24 January 2023

Notes Overview

The word "arsenokoitai" in 1 Cor. 6:9 is a compound word that combines "ἄρσενος" (arsenos), meaning "man," and "κοίτην" (koite, from whence we derive the word "coitus"), which functioned for Paul and the LXX translators as a euphemism for sex acts. This word appears to be a reference to Lev. 18:22 and 20:13 LXX[1], where the two words "arsenos" and "koite" are used in both verses to prohibit men from lying with other men as they would with a woman. Therefore Paul's use of "arsenokoitai" in this context clearly refers to male-male sexual activity[2]. The word "arsenokoitai" is not found in any prior Greek literature, so it seems to be a coinage of the apostle Paul, directly referencing the law in LXX Leviticus. Thus it functions for Paul as a condemnation of active[3] male-male sexual behavior in 1 Cor. 6:9 (and 1 Tim. 1:10 [4] ).

Lev. 18:22 LXX:

καὶ μετὰ ἄρσενος [arsenos] οὐ κοιμηθήσῃ κοίτην [koite] γυναικός βδέλυγμα γάρ ἐστιν



Subtopics:

  1. The law in Lev. 20:13 defines the civil punishment for the action, whereas Lev. 18:22 is purely a moral prohibition for which the Canaanites were being "vomited out of the land".
  2. BDAG 135 s.v. ἀρσενοκοίτης states, "a male who engages in sexual activity w. a pers. of his own sex"
  3. It has been argued that based on the inclusion of "μαλακοὶ" (malakoi, referring to softness) when paired with arsenokoitai refers to a boy-man pedophilic relationship. However, since arsenokoitai is a compound word with reference to Lev. 18 & 20, easily definable independent of malakoi, it's more likely the two phrases refer to the passive and active partners in a male-male homosexual relationship. This is based on the understanding that in first century Greek culture, the active partner in a sexual act was seen as more masculine and dominant, while the passive partner was seen as more feminine and submissive (See: Ciampa 2010, 'The First Letter to the Corinthians', PNTC, p.363).
  4. Paul, in 1 Timothy 1:9-10, provides examples of types sins which justify a "lawful" use of the law (1 Tim. 1:8). He references "those who strike their fathers and mothers" (cf. Exod. 21:15), "murders" (cf. Exod. 20:13). Paul in arguing for the consistent application of God's law (and judgement within the church assembly - cf. 1 Cor. 6:4), unequivocally supports the civil application of Lev. 18:22, 20:13.