589 1 Corinthians in Context 6: Homosexuality & Singleness

So often we default to categories of thought prevalent in our time and without realizing it, read them into the Bible. As it turns out, first-century people living in Corinth did not think about sexuality like we do at all. In today’s episode, I want to begin by focusing rather closely on 1 Corinthians 6.9, which mentions same-sex relationships. This verse has been at the center of major translation disagreements that have sometimes opened the door wide to committed same sex relationships and at other times closed the door so tightly that even celibate men get locked out merely for experiencing attractions to the same sex.

In what follows we’ll carefully examine not only the Greek underlying the bewildering array of English translations of 1 Corinthians 6.9, but also critical background information from both Greek and Roman cultures. This will put us on solid ground to understand precisely what behavior Paul is forbidding for Christians in Corinth. Next we’ll dip our toes into chapter seven and see how advantageous singleness is for Christians whether same-sex or opposite-sex attracted.

Scriptures Covered: 1 Corinthians 6.9-11; 7.7-9, 28, 32-40

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