1 Corinthians 6:9 – ‘the perverted’
The word that we translate as the perverted has puzzled Bible translators for years. Usually translators assume that it’s something to do with homosexuality, yet the next listed type of person is about homosexuality.
So, is homosexuality listed twice? If so, why?
We say that no, homosexuality is probably only listed once, and this first mention is really talking of something else. However, most Bible translators do not share this belief, and think that there’s two mentions of homosexuality.
So they speculate:
- The New Living Translation says this first mention is actually talking about male prostitutes.
- The King James Version says that this first mention is specifically talking about effeminate gay men.
- The Berean Study Bible says that it’s talking about the passive role in gay sex, whereas the next listing is the active role in gay sex.
- The New International Version treats both terms as a compound expression, saying, ‘men who have sex with men’, combining them both.
- The New King James Version is different again, listing them both as ‘nor homosexuals, nor sodomites.’
Here’s an alternative possibility. It’s found by examining the Aramaic word (and from a little critical thinking).
Not so specific
The Aramaic text is widely believed to be a very early translation, acting like an independent witness to the original text. Some go further and argue that 1 Corinthians may have originally been penned in Aramaic. Whatever the case, it’s worth considering what the Aramaic text has to say.
Well, the Aramaic word used is ܡܚܒܠܐ (m’hab’leh), which comes from a root which literally means to injure.
The exact spelling means:
- to be defiled
- to be corrupted
Other words derived from this same root have meanings including:
- to disfigure
- to act perversely
- to be perverted
- to deflower
Put this all together, and it sounds like the word means corrupting or perverting either oneself or someone else.
If this is correct, then it solves a small puzzle. You see, while fornication, adultery, and homosexuality all got their own special mentions by Paul, he does not name the other sexual sins prohibited in the Mosaic Law, even very serious ones:
- Incest (Leviticus 18:6-18, 20:11-17)
- Bestiality (Leviticus 18:23, 20:15-16)
- Rape (Deuteronomy 22:25-27)
- Buying or selling sex (Leviticus 19:29, Deuteronomy 23:17)
- Pimping (Leviticus 19:29)
- Exploitation (Deuteronomy 24:17-18)
- Cross-dressing (Deuteronomy 22:5)
Why did he not mention them? Well, if they’re all covered by this word, then it would answer the question.
What explains the Greek?
So what about the word used in the Greek version? Does that agree?
The Greek work is actually quite different: μαλακοί (malakoi).
It’s the masculine plural word for soft, and so can literally mean, soft males. It could indeed be translated as ‘effeminate males’ or ‘passive males’.
Basically, it’s slang: softies.
And if there’s one thing with slang, it’s that it’s hard to translate! Records are scant, and the exact meanings and nuances are forgotten.
Ancient Greek culture featured male prostitutes who shaved their beards off to make themselves look more feminine. There were also cross-dressers. They also tolerated pedastry and celebrated bestiality in their Greek myths.
Now, it could easily be that the Greek slang ‘softies’ came to mean anyone who steps outside of heterosexuality and gender norms to practice the various sexual sins tolerated in ancient Greece. If that’s what happened, then it could very well be a cognate of ‘the perverted’ to Aramaic speakers.
If this is all correct, it would explain the two terms. This first term implies sexual sins that are more rare and unusual than mere fornication, adultery, or homosexuality, which are each mentioned separately.
So no, homosexuality might not be listed twice.