ἀρσενοκοίτης (arsenokoitēs)
arsenokoitēs
sodomite
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun arsenokoitēs refers to a man who engages in sexual activity with another male. Lexicons define it specifically as one who lies with a male as with a female, often translated as sodomite or pederast. The word is a compound of arsen (male) and koite (bed), pointing directly to the physical act rather than general orientation.
This term appears only twice in the New Testament, both within lists of behaviors that exclude people from the kingdom of God: 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10. Its rarity suggests Paul chose a specific label for this particular sin, likely drawing on Greek translations of the Old Testament to describe sexual immorality involving males.
Translators vary in their rendering, using terms like sodomite, homosexual, or male prostitute. The core meaning remains consistent across these choices: it identifies a person who performs the act described. The word stands as a clear marker in Paul’s ethical instructions against same-gender sexual relations.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word arsenokoitēs appears only twice in the New Testament, serving as a specific label within Paul’s ethical lists. It combines terms for male and bed, pointing directly to sexual acts between men. In 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10, it stands alongside other behaviors that contradict God’s design for human relationships.
Understanding this term helps us see the seriousness with which Scripture treats sexual immorality. It is not a vague concept but a clear boundary drawn by the apostle Paul. For believers today, these passages remind us of the call to holiness and the importance of living in a way that honors God with our bodies.
While the cultural context differs from our own, the principle remains: God’s people are called to purity. This word invites us to reflect on how we treat others and how we align our lives with biblical truth. It challenges us to pursue integrity in all areas of life, knowing that our actions have eternal significance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- homosexuals1×
- for homosexuals,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀρσενοκοῖται1×
- ἀρσενοκοίταις,1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 6:9
Or don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s Kingdom? Don’t be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals,
This verse places arsenokoitēs in a list of behaviors that prevent inheritance of God's Kingdom, highlighting the seriousness of this specific sexual sin.
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I Timothy 1:10
for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine,
Here the term is included among those contrary to sound doctrine, showing its relevance for understanding biblical teaching on moral conduct.