Arsenokoitai

⮜ Notes Overview

The word "arsenokoitai" in 1 Cor. 6:9 (and 1 Tim. 1:10) 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.

Lev. 18:22 LXX:

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

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↑ 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".
↑ BDAG 135 s.v. ἀρσενοκοίτης states, "a male who engages in sexual activity w. a pers. of his own sex"
↑ 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 (Ciampa 2010, PNTC, p.363).

[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 (Ciampa 2010, PNTC, p.363).

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