Last week someone attempted to say that I was not using a true translation of the Bible. This person made an assumption and we all know what it means to “assume.”
Needless to say I have felt the need to address this assumption since many go to church and hear someone on a dais or in a pulpit say this is this way and not that way, just because they say so. This is not how we are told to learn and read the Bible. It is each person’s responsibility to read the Bible themselves, and not just one testament or another, but the Bible in its entirety because the old points to new and gives anecdotes to give the reader an insight into the one thing that is truly unfathomable, the mind of the creator of the universe, God.
Now so you can understand how I do things. I start with the King James Version of the Bible. This is the closest easily accessible English version of the Bible. This to me though is not good enough. I also use Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament and a regular dictionary. Why? For starts the concordance gets me to the original word in the Greek or Hebrew. The NT dictionary gets me into the word usage when it was first written down, and the regular dictionary for more contemporary definitions. This is so I can get as close as possible to the Holy Spirit inspired words as they were given unto the writers by God. (2 Timothy 3:17) Look at my post “An insight into God’s power” also. NOTE: due to this method I have found that some current translations of the Bible have been taken out of context and so do not pass the test God requires us to place upon those giving the word of God. Since we are warned that there will be those that wish to teach a false doctrine so as to lead those that do not follow these precaution down a path that could lead to their rejection by God (Galatians 1: 6-8). One such book is the new international version, now I did not call it a translation since it has diverted from the Holy inspired word given by the Holy Ghost.
Now for this particular article I will stick to only those references of a certain sin in the New Testament even though it accompanies other sins that will be listed as well. Why? Because there are those that insist that the Old Testament has no need to be read and had no meaning anymore. This is a fallacy, but that is an issue for another time. I will start with the first chapter of Romans.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Verses 20 – 32 is one topic and so these must be held together as one overall group and the sins listed within them have the same fate as is shown in the last verse, but I will break down keys words to give insight and knowledge through the original language that was used at the time God divinely breathed them into those writing down His words.
Vain – mataioo – to make empty, foolish – which denotes the world of appearance as distinct from that of being. With “mataioo” there is always the implication of what is against the norm, unexpected, offending what ought to be (NTD).
Changed – allasso – to make otherwise, to alter. In particular for this verse it means “to exchange.” (NTD)
Note: for verse 23 peoples desires to live outside the norm as is begun in verse 21 wished to exchange the pure and glorified and incorruptible God for a humanized and thus corruptible god that would condone their desires to live outside the values that are placed upon them by the true God.
Gave – paradidomi – is used here to represent God’s judgement on sinners. God punishes by delivering up to sin (NTD)
Uncleanness – akatharsia – impurity. Of “physical cultic and moral impurity” In these verses Paul per the NTD used this word to mean the alienation of those sinning from God of all the sins listed in this grouping, even though in other cities some other sins are listed. This is due to those sins be more prevalent in those particular cities.
Dishonour – atimazo – to insult, treat with contempt
Against – para – from, in the presence of. Adversative. The sense of “beside,” “beyond,” is also the point of departure for the adversative sense: “without regard for,” “in spite of,” “against.”{Acts according to nature and hence according to creation} [NTD] {1}
Nature – phusis – inherent nature, origin, birth. {1}
Note: in the NTD the phrase is “nature and hence according to creation.” This means God’s creation of all things. The basic nature of a species is to reproduce. Anything that goes against the reproduction of a species can and will lead to its extinction. All life on earth seeks to reproduce itself in their natural state. Only those within the human race have chosen not to pursue the continuation of the species and have adopted lifestyles that have the possible ability to end its own species and so goes against the creation thus against the Creator: God.
Vile – atimia – disgrace, dishonor; a dishonorable use, shame or shameful
Affections – pathos – (subjectively) a passion (especially concupiscence):– (inordinate) affection, lust. A feeling which the mind suffers; an affliction of the mind, emotion, passion; passionate deed, depraved passion, vile passions.
Note: per NTD “’vile affections’ are the scandalous vices of homosexuality.”
Unseemly – Aschemosune – unseemliness, an unseemly deed.
Reprobate – adokimos – failing to pass the test, unapproved, counterfeit.
Note: Per NTD – Human existence stands under the divine testing in which it must prove itself. The testing culminates in judgement. Judgment is a test of human life and achievement. So those that partake of the sins listed in these verses have failed to pass the test.
The last verse is very important to understand so I will repost: “32 who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
This leaves no question to those willing to hear and understand. They have been told what they do is wrong, a sin, yet they willingly embrace it so their fate is made clear— death.
Since only sin leads to death. Any that say: homosexuality, unrighteous, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful; is not a sin are mistaken.
Now it is important to say this. That it does also show in the Bible that there are those that left these sins and were one with God. But to leave these sins they cannot partake of them. So to say the term “gay Christian” is an impossibility. In fact it is worse for them then if they deny God and are homosexual. (Rev. 3:15-16). But as promised the verses that show you can leave the sin and be one with God.
1 Corinthians 6: 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
The key statement here is “And such were some of you.” When they truly accepted Christ they were able to shed the sin from them and live a lifestyle that did not include the sins they has placed over God. For God must be first in all things. In addition it must be also notes that it says “some of you,” this places a limiting factor. This denotes that it is extremely hard for those that embrace these sins to leave them and so few actually have the courage to suffer the emotional pain required to turn from these sins. Just think just how much harder it is for them to turn away from these sins when people go about saying “It is ok because God loves you.” These are lies that need to be stopped. Yes God does love the person, but as long these people place their sins above God He will not see them or accept them into His house. (Rev. 21:27)
As you can see that I have gone to the origin of the words as they were written nearly two thousand years ago. So they are close as possible to the God Himself. Now why I say this is the person that said I was using the wrong translation of the Bible, they said this to be accurate:
“…it is your homophobic interpretation of the Bible…”
Now that being said. Since it is as close as possible to God Himself this person actually called God “homophobic.” He hates sin, but wishes those living in sin to leave that sin and they can only do that through truly and wholeheartedly asking Jesus Christ to be their Savior and to cut all ties with their previous lifestyle, which means they can no longer be gay. I did not say this, the Bible, which has not changed for thousands of years has said so and so is a truthful interpretation, and to just allow people to live in sin without hearing the truth of the Bible goes against what all true Christians are called to do. (2 Timothy 4: 1-5).
NTD = Theological Dictionary of the New Testament Unabridged Editors Gerhard Kittel, Gerhard Friedrich.