Romans 1:26-27 and Homosexuality: A Study in Text and Context

References (127)

1. Against Apion II.199-200 (LCL trans., modified).
2. SOsee, for example, E.A. Speiser, Genesis, Anchor Bible (Garden City, NY: Doubleday and Co., 1964), 142; John Skinner, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on Genesis. International Critical Commentary (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1925), 307. 51Homosexuality, 1-6. Boswell (Christianity, 93-97) follows Bailey in his treatment of the Sodom story. 52Josephus, for example, states that God determined to destroy the Sodomites for their arrogance and their hatred of strangers (Ant. 1.194-195). CHAJYfER FOUR ROM. 1:26-27 AND HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOUR The purpose of this chapter is to interpret Paul's statements in Romans 1:26-27 discussions of Rom. 1:26-27 and its statements about homosexual behaviour. 1Corinthians6:9 and Romans 1:26-27: Some Preliminary Notes Before turning to the interpretation of Rom . .1:26-27, it is necessary to deal with 1
3. Corinthians 6:9, the only other passage in Pcml's undisputed writings which traditionally has been understood to refer to homosexual behaviour. 1 Since this text may illuminate Rom. 1:26-27, it is important to begin with a clear understanding of what it says. In 1
4. Cor. 6:9-10, Paul declares that "the unrighteous (afaKm) will not inherit the Reign of God," and gives a list of such unrighteous people which includes the µaAaKot and cipaEVOKol Tm. These two terms have been variously translated. Jerome translated them with "molles" and "masculorum concubitores." Luther employed "Weichlinge" ("sissies"/"softies") and "Knabenschander" ("abusers of boys"). The Authorized (King James) Version renders them as "effeminate" and "abusers of themselves with mankind." 11 Tim. 1:10, which was probably not written by Paul, uses one of the terms (cipaEVOKoiT11s) that Paul uses in 1Cor.6:9. What is said about the meaning of this term in l Cor. 6:9 applies to its meaning in 1 Tim. 1:10. 1:26-27, employing properly the methods of historical-critical scholarship, in the light of the contextual nature of interpretation, an analysis that advances historical understanding of Paul's views about homosexual behaviour. BIBLIOGRAPHY
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