Does 1 Cor 6:9 mean I can't be gay AND Christian?

Rick Brentlinger Answers -

Thanks for the interesting question. Many modern Christians have embraced false teaching about 1 Corinthians 6:9. They arrive at their false teaching by assuming that the Greek words, malakoi and arsenokoitai mean homosexual.

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate (malakoi), nor abusers of themselves with mankind (arsenokoitai),

Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."
-1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Of course, there is nothing in the Bible and very little in church history to support their false teaching. In the first century AD, no one would define malakoi to mean homosexual. The Greek word malakoi was rarely, if ever, used in the first century to indicate homosexual men and was never used to indicate lesbians.

In the first century AD, no one would define arsenokoites to mean homosexual. Historical evidence - the way the arsenokoit stem was actually used in the first century AD - indicates that the arsenokoit stem referred to:

1. Rape
   
   
2. Sex with angels or the gods
   
   
3. Anal sex with one's wife
   
   
4. Masturbation

Based on the extant Greek manuscripts available to us today, the Greek word arsenokoites was rarely, if ever, used to indicate homosexual men and was never used to describe lesbians.

Therefore, when someone quotes 1 Corinthians 6:9 or 1 Timothy 1:10 to "prove" that God is against homosexuality, they are conveying nothing more than their opinion, without any basis in fact.

It is important to keep in mind that getting saved means you've experienced heartfelt repentance from your sins and you are trusting God's grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, as the satisfactory payment for your sins.

Once you're saved, nothing you do can cause you to lose your salvation because every born again Christian has eternal security in Christ as a present and irrevocable possession.

Additional Information

1. How do you answer the verse that says homosexuals will not go to heaven?

2. Does the Bible say homosexuals will go to hell?

3. Is it possible to change from homosexual to heterosexual?

4. Does becoming a Christian make you heterosexual?

5. Is there any evidence of an actual gay marriage in the Bible?

Original Question:

"I am a gay man who is also a Christian. I love the Lord Jesus and want to serve him. But, every fundamental church or evangelical group points me to I Cor 6:9-10 where it says homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God.

I have a very hard time reconciling my sexual orientation and being a Christian. Can anyone help me with this? Someone even told me that you cannot be gay and be a Christian."