[B-Greek] arsenokoites

Jim West jwest at highland.net
Tue Mar 15 09:41:03 EST 2005


My inbox filter has removed about 60% of the posts in this thread- which 
I am presuming is because of language or phrases used.  To remain 
strictly within the meaning of the word, may I offer the following:

I Cor 6:9-   oute moicois oute malakois oute  arsenokoitai  ... etc.
What seems to have been overlooked so far in the discussion is that the 
final word should not be taken in isolation from those in the chain 
which proceed it.  Thus, moicois, malakois, and arsenokoites are- 
adulterers, perverts, and homosexuals [the translation of the phrase by 
none less than Ray Collins in Sacra Pagina] are all prefaced by the 
descriptor adikios.  Collins continues "Using polysyndeton for 
rhetorical effect, Paul links the seven vices together with oute but 
reverts to a simple negative to add the three final vices to the list 
(asyndeton)".  Hence, the list of 10 acts of unrighteousness are on the 
same plane.  arsenekoitai are the same as moicois, etc.  All are 
unjust.  The use of arsenekoitai here is its first use though it does 
occur in 1 Tim 1:10, and Sib Ora. 2.73.  Malakoi are "soft boys"- i.e., 
effeminate males.  Paul shared the Jewish disdain for behaviour outside 
the norm, whether it be effeminacy, homosexuality, adultery, 
fornication, or falsehood.

-- 
Jim West

Biblical Studies Resources -  http://web.infoave.net/~jwest
Biblical Theology Weblog -  http://biblical-studies.blogspot.com





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