1 Corinthians 6:9-10

[2scoops]

1Co 6:9 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,

1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

I have a question about what effeminate means. The note in my bible says homosexuals, another dictionary says one who wears expensive clothing, and my Strong's says those who act in a feminate way, sissy.

 

[Willo]

Effeminate

EFFEM'INATE, a. [L. effoeminatus, from effoeminor, to grow or make womanish, from foemina, a woman. See Woman.]

1. Having the qualities of the female sex; soft or delicate to an unmanly degree; tender; womanish; voluptuous.

The king, by his voluptuous life and mean marriage, became effeminate, and less sensible of honor.

2. Womanish; weak; resembling the practice or qualities of the sex; as an effeminate peace; an effeminate life.

3. Womanlike, tender, in a sense not reproachful.

EFFEM'INATE, v.t. To make womanish; to unman; to weaken; as to effeminate children.

EFFEM'INATE, v.i. To grow womanish or weak; to melt into weakness.

In a slothful peace courage will effeminate.

****
I think it does mean the homosexual, based on how their nature changed from one of that of a male into a female.

 

[If Not For Grace]

Thank goodness, forgiveness is available to ALL.

 

[Gold Dragon]

When folks quote these verses, they always seem to leave out verse 11 because it just isn't as useful for condemning when you include the context.

NASB - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

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. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

Regarding the word effeminate, the greek word used here is malakos.

Greek Lexicon : Malakos

1. soft, soft to the touch
2. metaph. in a bad sense
   1. effeminate
      1. of a catamite
      2. of a boy kept for homosexual relations with a man
      3. of a male who submits his body to unnatural lewdness
      4. of a male prostitute

Can someone with e-sword post how other translations translate this word?

 

[novcncy]

1Co 6:9 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,

1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

I have a question about what effeminate means. The note in my bible says homosexuals, another dictionary says one who wears expensive clothing, and my Strong's says those who act in a feminate way, sissy.

One of your Strongs Definitions also is "male prostitute" This is what our pastor said the word means yesterday in SS. Then the "abusers of themselves with mankind" is the homosexual.

The best part, as someone else posted, is praise God, Jesus blood can cover ALL sins.

 

[novcncy]

When folks quote these verses, they always seem to leave out verse 11 because it just isn't as useful for condemning when you include the context.

An EXCELLENT point!!! Actually, I think Paul was using understatement there, as most of us have committed at least one of those sins ONCE in our lifetimes. I know I've been covetous....

 

[hindsey]

I remember looking into this word before... The Greek word is similarly used when Jesus talks about John the Baptist, and asked What went ye out to see? a man in Soft clothing... kings have soft clothing. Something along those lines. Anyway, that word soft had the same Greek word.

 

[Lockheed]

But in this context it is in regard to sexual sins, arsenokoites and malakos are descriptive of specific examples of sexual immorality as in Romans 1 "men with men" etc. Malakos may indicate the effeminate, cross dressers and those who take on the likeness of the opposite sex where as aresenokoites specifically indicates homosexuality.

And yes, "such were some of you", a most excellent point. Paul is reminding the Corinthians (just after lambasting them for their acceptance of incest) that they were once vile transgressors deserving of death until found by the grace of God and saved through faith.

 

[mesue]

G3120

μαλακός

malakos

mal-ak-os'

Of uncertain affinity; soft, that is, fine (clothing); figuratively a catamite: - effeminate, soft.

 

[Lockheed]

We use the term "gay" to represent homosexuals... but the word doesn't have that connotation lingustically. Thus simply relying on the etymology of a word doesn't always give us insight into what the word meant in the context.

 

[Gold Dragon]

Would metrosexual be the modern equivalent of malakos?

 

[Lockheed]

Would metrosexual be the modern equivalent of malakos?

ROFL Probably.

 

[mesue]

Would metrosexual be the modern equivalent of malakos?

or malakosexual?

Thus simply relying on the etymology of a word doesn't always give us insight into what the word meant in the context.

It usually works for me

 

[2scoops]

We use the term "gay" to represent homosexuals... but the word doesn't have that connotation lingustically. Thus simply relying on the etymology of a word doesn't always give us insight into what the word meant in the context.

Amen. That's why I want to know the true meaning. I have looked at three different sources and have received three different meanings.

 

[mesue]

Gay didn't always mean homosexual, it used to mean happy.
(I got **'s for the word I used) used to mean a bundle of sticks.
Webster's 1823 (Or 1828? I forget the exact year) dictionary just came to mind as a more accurate definition of effeminate. It uses scripture in it's definitions. And is closer to the year of the original KJV translation.

 

[Stinker]

1Co 6:9 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,

1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

I have a question about what effeminate means. The note in my bible says homosexuals, another dictionary says one who wears expensive clothing, and my Strong's says those who act in a feminate way, sissy.

We today, recognize homosexual behavior as the masculine (Rock Hudson) and the feminine (Liberace).

It is very easy to sinfully presume that a man that acts feminine is the fem homosexual. We have no way of telling what man is a masculine homosexual.

Paul addressed homosexual acts that took place in the pagan temples of Aphrodite and Dionysus, etc. Where men went to the temples to 'worship' by being with men that dressed and behaved as women. Paul addressed the catamite issue with this same word. Men that secured young boys (catamites) as objects of their sexual perversions.

 

[Lockheed]

Paul addressed homosexual acts that took place in the pagan temples of Aphrodite and Dionysus, etc. Where men went to the temples to 'worship' by being with men that dressed and behaved as women. Paul addressed the catamite issue with this same word. Men that secured young boys (catamites) as objects of their sexual perversions.

That might be part of the concern in such regions, however that doesn't cover what is spoken of in Romans 1 and elsewhere in Scripture. Homosexuality is not compatible with Christianity in whatever form it takes.

 

[Ginny]

amen, lockheed.

Also, those sins mentioned in scripture ... it is pertinent to remember that if they are a way of life that is much different than committing the sin, asking for forgiveness, and then moving on through His strength. But to continue in the sin is a different story and that is why I agree with God's word that those individuals are not allowed into Heaven. (1 Cor 6:10)

ex: You can commit a homosexual act, or be a homosexual
You can lie, or be a liar
You can commit adultery, or be an adulterer.

 

[aReformedPatriot]

I recall the word of the Lord saying "you must be Holy as I am Holy." It is important that we not become equivical when it comes to naming sin. All sin is evil, even the smallest, but the Church has become way to relaxed in this regard, IMO.

 

[Lockheed]

I recall the word of the Lord saying "you must be Holy as I am Holy." It is important that we not become equivical when it comes to naming sin. All sin is evil, even the smallest, but the Church has become way to relaxed in this regard, IMO.

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!

Paul's main point in 1 Cor 6 (as noted earlier) is "such were some of you." Those of us saved by grace through faith in Christ not only were such as those things mentioned, but even after salvation continue to be tempted in many ways. We owe our devotion and love to our Holy God who, even though we deserved full retribution for our misdeeds, saw fit to save us by the blood of His own Son.

One other point... the mention of homosexuality in Romans 1 should be understood as a result of sins mentioned previously in the passage. It is Paul's position therefore that homosexuality is a direct result of individuals (and society's) rejecting of God even though they know He exists. Thus "God gave them over to a depraved mind..." Homosexuality is not the root problem, rejecting God is.