Lost In Translation? Not When It Comes To 1 Corinthians 6

Some today claim that 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 is unclear about same-sex behavior, suggesting that Paul’s words are vague or mistranslated. But this is not a harmless academic debate. It is a deliberate attempt to muddy what Scripture plainly teaches. The Greek terms Paul used were not ambiguous to his readers, nor have they been misunderstood for centuries. 

Those who push this narrative rely on revisionist history. Even some so-called “scholars” seem more interested in reshaping the Bible to fit modern desires than in faithfully interpreting it. Following is a sample of various translations in English to emphasize that Paul's condemnation of homosexuality in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 is indeed clear and emphatic:

"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." (Young's Literal Translation)

"Or don't you know wicked people will have no share in God's kingdom? Don't be mistaken about this: No one who lives in sexual sin or worships idols, nor adulterers or men who sin sexually with other men, who steal, are greedy, get drunk, slander, or rob will have a share in God's kingdom." (William F. Beck, The Holy Bible: An American Translation)

"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." (English Standard Version)

"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; 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." (New American 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 males who have sex with males, no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God’s kingdom." (Christian Standard Bible)

"Surely you know that the people who do wrong will not inherit God’s kingdom. Do not be fooled. Those who sin sexually, worship idols, take part in adultery, those who are male prostitutes, or men who have sexual relations with other men, those who steal, are greedy, get drunk, lie about others, or rob—these people will not inherit God’s kingdom." (New Century Version)

The simple truth of the matter is that translators have always understood the Greek terms malakoi and arsenokoitai as referring to homosexual behavior. They have been correct in viewing this text as an affirmation of the traditional view of marriage as being between a man and a woman. Nothing groundbreaking has been discovered to warrant a drastically different view of the text.

Just because the ancient world did not use words like “sexual orientation” does not mean they did not understand same-sex behavior. Ancient writers, including Plato, Philo, and Roman historians, clearly described men who were attracted to other men, both in casual and committed relationships. Paul lived in a world where same-sex acts were common and discussed openly.

The Greek words malakoi and arsenokoitai were not used in a vacuum. Paul chose them deliberately, and translators across centuries have wrestled with their meaning, not because they were unclear, but because language and culture evolve. Saying “we cannot understand what Paul meant because we are modern” is like saying we cannot understand ancient laws against theft because we now have credit cards.