Issue with 1 Corinthians 6:9 KJV and its implications

[Blueskies94]

The King James Bible of the verse is the only version where “effeminate” is mentioned. All others say sexually immoral or those who commit actions of those nature. I think this only translation, because the KJV is so widely read, has done a lot of damage to how society views masculinity.

Effeminate typically means soft, gentle and showing emotions similar to women. Studies show that men who are sensitive and kind have lower divorce rates. Being macho has negative implications on society. Maybe it was useful in WWII and other generations, but I don’t think it is applicable today. Plus, the idea that passive men are somehow wolves in sheep clothing is inaccurate. I’ve read Henry Cloud’s book “How to get a date worth keeping” where he discussed a passive man who ended up hooking up in Las Vegas. Truth was that guy was likely not passive or a serial liar. Because in American culture, most women (Christian and not) don’t find you attractive if you’re not aggressive and dominant. Women still don’t approach guys for dates.

My background, I’m 27 and struggle with Asperger’s syndrome so I tend to think and analyze before I act. I’ve never been in a relationship and believe part of it is due to being overweight. I’m very good at math and technical but my weakness is socializing and I don’t drink at all. Would it be a good suggestion to work out and lose weight to 15% body fat to improve my chances? Thanks everyone!

 

[TheWhat?]

In the Gentile world it's easy to get the impression that anything less "masculine" than a gorilla is "effeminate."

Jesus, on the other hand, wept. Godly emotions are not effeminate, and Paul implies that a Jew is one inwardly, and not all of Israel are Israel. If you're not circumcised of heart, it's not good news.

 

[com7fy8]

First, welcome to Christian Forums. This looks like it could be an interesting discussion.

For starters, Jesus is more powerful than anyone, but Jesus is "gentle and lowly in heart" (in Matthew 11:28-30) and Jesus knew how to relate with women

 

[Soyeong]

The King James Bible of the verse is the only version where “effeminate” is mentioned. All others say sexually immoral or those who commit actions of those nature. I think this only translation, because the KJV is so widely read, has done a lot of damage to how society views masculinity.

Effeminate typically means soft, gentle and showing emotions similar to women. Studies show that men who are sensitive and kind have lower divorce rates. Being macho has negative implications on society. Maybe it was useful in WWII and other generations, but I don’t think it is applicable today. Plus, the idea that passive men are somehow wolves in sheep clothing is inaccurate. I’ve read Henry Cloud’s book “How to get a date worth keeping” where he discussed a passive man who ended up hooking up in Las Vegas. Truth was that guy was likely not passive or a serial liar. Because in American culture, most women (Christian and not) don’t find you attractive if you’re not aggressive and dominant. Women still don’t approach guys for dates.

My background, I’m 27 and struggle with Asperger’s syndrome so I tend to think and analyze before I act. I’ve never been in a relationship and believe part of it is due to being overweight. I’m very good at math and technical but my weakness is socializing and I don’t drink at all. Would it be a good suggestion to work out and lose weight to 15% body fat to improve my chances? Thanks everyone!

There are a number of health risks associated to being overweight, so it would be a good suggestion in general to lose weight and that will be for you own good both physically and mentally even if it doesn't lead to a relationship with someone.

 

[Sketcher]

The King James Bible of the verse is the only version where “effeminate” is mentioned. All others say sexually immoral or those who commit actions of those nature. I think this only translation, because the KJV is so widely read, has done a lot of damage to how society views masculinity.

Effeminate typically means soft, gentle and showing emotions similar to women. Studies show that men who are sensitive and kind have lower divorce rates. Being macho has negative implications on society. Maybe it was useful in WWII and other generations, but I don’t think it is applicable today. Plus, the idea that passive men are somehow wolves in sheep clothing is inaccurate. I’ve read Henry Cloud’s book “How to get a date worth keeping” where he discussed a passive man who ended up hooking up in Las Vegas. Truth was that guy was likely not passive or a serial liar. Because in American culture, most women (Christian and not) don’t find you attractive if you’re not aggressive and dominant. Women still don’t approach guys for dates.

My background, I’m 27 and struggle with Asperger’s syndrome so I tend to think and analyze before I act. I’ve never been in a relationship and believe part of it is due to being overweight. I’m very good at math and technical but my weakness is socializing and I don’t drink at all. Would it be a good suggestion to work out and lose weight to 15% body fat to improve my chances? Thanks everyone!

In 1611, "effeminate" was a polite way of saying "gay." English has shifted a bit since then. The newer translations are better at specifying homosexual behavior.

I think there's a lot that you're missing here, as far as masculinity is concerned. Being overly passive is bad in its own way, just as being overly macho can be bad in its own way. An overly passive man is not much different from a grown child; such a person will not work hard or manage his own life well. He will probably be known for his complaining and his inability to do basic things. He gets by because other people do enough stuff for him to let him get by. While overly macho men are not known for their humility, this isn't humility either. True humility is incompatible with an able-bodied man with this outlook; if he is humble, that humility will push him to work on himself and be less passive.

The overly passive man also won't lose that weight. There are plenty of men who are not overly passive who have more than 15% body fat, but the men who do lose enough weight to get to that point take enough initiative and exercise enough discipline to not be rightly labeled "passive." Of course you should lose that weight to get there, and if you do, it will be to your credit. I can't promise you that it will get you dates or married to the right person, but it would be a positive change in your life. Alone and fit is better than alone and unfit.

 

[hedrick]

There are debates. Outside sexual meanings, it means soft. Effeminate is an interpretation. One commentator notes.

“Both terms have received intense lexicographical scrutiny. Scroggs allows that while μαλακός may mean unmanly in general terms, more characteristically it is used of “the youth who consciously imitated feminine styles and ways.” This all too readily slips into “passive homosexual activity” whether for pleasure or for pay. From the classical period to Philo extreme distaste is expressed in Greek and hellenistic literature for the effeminate male who uses cosmetics and the coiffuring of the hair, for which Philo sometimes uses the term ἀνδρόγυνος, male-female (e.g., De Specialibus Legibus 3.37). These issues lie behind the astonishing array of English translations in our versions.” (Anthony Thiselton, 1 Corinthians)

Many recent commentators see homosexuality there. My concern is that the passive side in that culture was too often youth or slaves, i.e, people who were victimized. Do we want to say that Paul wasn’t sensitive to that concern? Given the difficulties with the next word as well, this risks turning into a test of what the interpreter thinks is (or is not) disreputable.

 

[DragonFox91]

In 1611, "effeminate" was a polite way of saying "gay." English has shifted a bit since then. The newer translations are better at specifying homosexual behavior.
.

This is the correct answer, OP, in regards to the Scripture you reference. In regards to can more emotional guys get dates, I don't have the answer for that, but 'effeminate' does historically typically mean 'gay'. The translation had little to no effect on more emotional kinds of men getting. God does not have a problem w/ men who are a bit more emotional.