Paul is the only New Testament author who makes any reference to the subject of same-sex relations. The most negative statement by Paul regarding same-sex acts occurs in Romans 1:24-27 which is in the context of a much larger discussion about Idolaters who have rejected God and turned to worship their idols, and the need of All for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Certain homosexual behavior is given as an example of the "uncleanness" of idolatrous Gentiles. As in the Old Testament discussions, this is referencing once again to idolatrous practices of the Gentiles, and also reflecting the infamous sexual excesses of both the Roman culture and the Roman emperors themselves. The Jewish & Gentile Christians in Rome that Paul was addressing in this letter, would also have been aware of problems in the early Church regarding Gentiles and the observance of the Jewish "code of holiness" laws (as Paul mentions in Acts 15 and Galatians). As mentioned before, Jewish laws in Leviticus mentioned male same-sex acts in the context of Idolatry & the Male Cult Prostitutes that were a part of the fertility ritualistic worship..
I Corinthians 6:9 KJV - "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, [10]...shall inherit the Kingson of God" The first word used here is malakos, in the Greek text - which has been translated "effeminate" or "soft," most likely refers to someone who lacks discipline or moral control. This same word is used elsewhere in the New Testament but not in reference to sexuality.
Subsequent translations of the Bible corrupted the original meaning even further by translating this word as "homosexual". This terminolgy did not even exist until the late 1800's/early 1900's when the word was "coined" by a psychiatrist in refering to same-sex orientation. Recent Bible Scholars have uncovered this homophobic attitude behind such mistranslations (see notations in the Oxford Annotated Bible Third Edition).
The second word used in I Corinthians and also in I Timothy 1:10 KJV "...for them that defile themselves with mankind..." is the Greek word arsenokoitai, It is derived from two different Greek words, one meaning, "males" and the other "beds". It is thought by many to be a euphemism for sexual intercourse. Other Greek words were commonly used at the time to describe homosexual behavior but they do not appear here. This combination of two Greek words is found nowhere else in other literature of the period. A primary point addressed in I Corinthians 6 shows Paul's extreme concern with prostitution, fornication, and idolatry....so, again, it is very possible he was referring here to the Male Cult Prostitutes. It should be noted here too that many experts now attempting to translate these words have reached a simple conclusion: their precise meaning is uncertain.
The rarity with which Paul discusses any form of same-sex behavior & the ambiguity in references attributed to him make it extremely uncertain to conclude any concrete position in the New Testament on homosexuality, especially in the context of loving, responsible relationships.
But Jesus Christ himself did sum up the "Whole Law and the Prophets" by saying "Love the Lord your God with all your heart... and love your neighbor as yourself" Matt. 22:37-39..."Do not judge others, lest you be judged." Matt.7:1 And as Paul, inspired by the Spirit, said "The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love...against such there is no law." Gal. 5:22. And as Paul then re-stated what Jesus Christ originally said in Gal, 5:14: "...the whole Law is fulfilled in one statement, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself".
In reference to the
New Testemant scriptures
Romans 1:24-27,
I Corinthians 6:9,
and I Timothy 1:10 - One MUST read these passages with the current social context of the Greco - Roman culture to which Paul was referring and addressing in mind
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Let me state again -
No One has the right to Limit the Boundless Love of God from ANYONE - any Race, any color, any GLBT person, any truly Seeking and Sincere Soul !!!
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