Biblical Answer

The word "arsenokoitai" in Greek means men who have sex with other men. This understanding is supported by various translations of the New Testament, including the Latin, Syriac, and Coptic versions, which all translate the word as men lying together with males or those who lie with men. Additionally, the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament used by Jews in the first century, provides further evidence of the meaning of the word, as it translates the relevant texts from Leviticus as "men who have sex with other men." This understanding is also consistent with the ethics of the Old Testament, which condemns homosexual behavior as a sin. Paul's term for men who practice homosexuality was derived from two words, "arsen" (man) and "koite" (bed), found in Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 (Septuagint), which together mean bed of a male.

The meaning of "arsenokoitai" is further supported by its appearance in 1 Timothy 1:10, where it is listed alongside other sins forbidden by the Decalogue, including those who strike their fathers and mothers, murderers, adulterers, and swindlers. In this context, it is clear that Paul is thinking broadly about the sins forbidden by the law, and that "arsenokoitai" refers to a specific type of sin related to homosexual behavior. Furthermore, the word "arsenokoitai" is not found in any surviving Greek literature prior to Paul's use of the term in 1 Corinthians, suggesting that it was a coinage of Hellenistic Judaism or Hellenistic Jewish Christianity.

In conclusion, the word "arsenokoitai" in Greek means men who have sex with other men, and is derived from the words "arsen" (man) and "koite" (bed) found in Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 (Septuagint). This understanding is supported by various translations of the New Testament, as well as the Septuagint and the context of 1 Timothy 1:10. Therefore, it is clear that Paul's term for men who practice homosexuality was a specific reference to homosexual behavior, and not a reference to other types of sin or immorality.