Getting Biblical in Daily Life
LGBTQ Issues
People just love to look to the Bible for thoughts on LGBTQ issues. So let's see what all the fuss is about.
What Does Corinthians Say?
Corinthians only has one shout-out to people engaging in same-sex relations, but it's worth a look. Paul starts out by telling the Corinthians that they shouldn't be taking each other to Roman courts. It's better to just be wronged than to wrong someone else. Then he starts to wax poetic about wrongdoers in general:
Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers—none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
See "male prostitutes" and "sodomy" in there? That's the same-sex sexual activity that people point to. But what does this passage really mean? Or more important, how have people interpreted this passage over the years?
Adam and Eve, Not Adam and Steve
Some people read this as a condemnation of all homosexual behavior, and in turn argue that God isn't down with the gays.
The kicker of this verse, if you look at it this way, is that not only are gay and lesbian folks just sadly mistaken or misguided people, they're actually "wrongdoers" who are definitely not going to "inherit the kingdom of God." That means they are shut out of good times with God in this life and the next. Bummer.
Not only this, but the next verse also implies that if you really knew and loved Jesus, you wouldn't be doing all this stuff period. In this light, we guess LGBTW Christians are out of luck. Paul says:
And this is what some of you used to be. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
So does Paul think you can pray away the gay?
Let's Look a Little Closer
Other commentators take a different view toward this passage. The main problem is with the way the words "male prostitutes" and "sodomites" have been translated over the years. The original terms Paul used are the Greek words "malakoi" and "arsenokoitai" and it's actually pretty tough to figure out what he meant by these.
Some people say that "malakoi" really means "effeminate." But, when the word is used in Matthew and Luke, it's translated as "soft" or "fine. In this context, it means something closer to a person with a lax set of morals. Someone who is lazy or a coward. It's possible that Paul means that people who are unwilling to stand up for their beliefs or who are easily convinced to turn away from Christ are shut out of the kingdom. That's a pretty far cry from a male prostitute. (source)
"Arsenokoitai" is a bit tougher. It actually seems like this is a word that was coined by Paul because no other ancient sources use it. Yep, he's a regular Shakespeare. The word is made up of two parts: "arsen" which means "man" and "koitai" which means "beds." It's obvious that the word refers to men only, so "homosexuals" wouldn't be an accurate translation. Besides, if Paul meant to call out sex between guys, he could have used the word "paiderasste," which was the standard Greek term back then. (source)
So what does the word mean? No one really knows. It might mean men who abuse others sexually (rapists, pedophiles, etc.). It might refer to male prostitutes, but these could be gents with other male or female customers. Or it could even be calling out masturbation. This was a standard translation back in the 16th century, but it's fallen out of favor now that masturbation isn't generally considered a hell-worthy offense.
We should also note that this verse gets a lot of attention because of the gay-factor, but lots of folks conveniently forget that Paul is actually excluding a whole lot of other wrongdoers from God's kingdom, too. Had sex with someone you weren't married to? Worshiped anyone or anything besides God? Cheated on your spouse? Stole something? Been a little greedy? Gotten drunk? Rudely insulted anyone lately? Then, sorry, looks like no Heaven for you either.
Now What?
No matter what you believe, looking at the context of Paul's letters to the Corinthians can help you parse out your take on this sensitive issue. So go on—analyze!
Marriage
Love and marriage. These seems to be the bedrocks of any good Christian society. The joining of a man with his wife is an ancient and sacred tradition. One universally recognized as good and holy. Even the Bible encourages people to get married, right? Um, maybe not…
To Wed, or Not to Wed
Wondering if you should get married? Paul has three words for you—don't do it!
Because of cases of sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband[…] This I say by way of concession, not of command. I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has a particular gift from God, one having one kind and another a different kind. To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain unmarried as I am. But if they are not practicing self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion. (1 Corinthians 7:2, 6-9)
Forget love, devotion, and commitment. The only good reason to get married? You can't keep it in your pants.
Paul himself claims to have lived a totally celibate life. Though he could have taken a nice wife along with him on his journeys (built-in apostolic helper), he thinks being single is a much better plan of action. Guess he didn't need someone to exchange back massages with.
Seeking a Wife for the End of the World
The main reason that Paul doesn't see a big need for marriage is… the apocalypse. See, Paul and lots of Christians of that time thought that Jesus would be coming back to earth very soon (like any minute now) and ushering in the end of the world as we know it:
In view of the impending crisis, it is well for you to remain [a virgin…] The appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away. (1 Corinthians 7:25, 29-31)
The world is about to end, so what does it matter if anyone has a wife or husband? Besides, a spouse is nothing but a distraction that encourages you to take your eyes of the prize (eternal life with God). It's easier to stay vigilant and keep living a good Christian life if you're not worried about supporting a wife and family. Paul's living single and loving it!
Love and Marriage
Okay, so you're burning with passion. You have to get married. Paul's not thrilled, but he'll allow it. But what advice does this unmarried guys have for helping married couples live happily ever after? Lots!
For starters, the man is in charge:
But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the husband is the head of his wife, and God is the head of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:3)
Your husband is also your biblical scholar:
If there is anything [wives] desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. (1 Corinthians 14:35)
And third? Have sex with each other:
The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except perhaps by agreement for a set time, to devote yourselves to prayer, and then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. (1 Corinthians 7:3-5)
While his first two pieces of advice clearly establish a chain of command in marriage, the third is surprisingly egalitarian. We shudder to think how the world we would a different place if Paul had just said, "The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does." Gulp.
Divorce Court
So you went and got married and now things just aren't working out. What are the grounds for divorce again? Um, we're sorry to tell you this but, "The wife should not separate from her husband […] and […] the husband should not divorce his wife" (1 Corinthians 10-11).
But what if your spouse is abusive? Unfaithful? What if you just can't agree over that wagon wheel coffee table? Sorry, "a wife is bound as long as her husband lives" (1 Corinthians 7:39).
The only ground for divorce that Paul mentions is this: if your spouse isn't Christian. Even then, if your other half agrees to keep living with you (and just ignores all the hymns you keep singing all day), then you should stay with them. After all, "Wife, for all you know, you might save your husband. Husband, for all you know, you might save your wife" (1 Corinthians 7:16). Paul sure is optimistic.
How Do Christians Sort All This Out?
Most Christians today would say that marriage is pretty important and awesome. Nearly every church has rituals for commemorating a couple's promise to marry. In fact, one of the arguments against marriage equality is that it cheapens the meaning of "traditional marriage" between a man and a woman. But if you take a peek at 1 Corinthians, it's clear that Paul doesn't really think much of traditional marriage to begin with.
Paul seems to favor celibacy, which is another hotly debated topic in Christian circles. Though most denominations agree that you shouldn't be having sex before marriage, lots of Protestant denominations think it's just fine to have married men and women serve as clergy and ministers in the community. Marriage apparently isn't the faith-killer Paul makes it out to be.
However, in the Catholic Church, ordained priests or deacons have to vow never to marry or have sex. Is the church saying that celibacy is somehow superior to marriage? Are married people unable to serve God in the same way that unmarried people are? Paul would give that a big, fat yes.
As far as divorce goes, though, lots of Christian denominations frown upon it; many of them also accept the view that sometimes stuff just happens. Catholics, for one, don't allow divorce and regard remarriage after divorce as adultery. But you can also be awarded an annulment, which means that, according to Church law, "a marriage was invalid from the beginning" (source). Though this is not considered "divorce" per se, it does show that many denominations are willing to bend the rules past what Paul says is a-okay.
Feminism
Women have come quite a way since the 1st century. You know, suffrage, equal pay, bras—that sort of thing. But there are still lots of issues around women roles. What's a nice Christian girl supposed to do with herself? Let's see what Paul thinks.
What Does Corinthians Say?
Paul has a few choice words for the Corinthian ladies. In the first verse he sets up a nice little pecking order for the universe:
Christ is the head of every man, and the husband is the head of his wife, and God is the head of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:3)
Okay, so it goes God → Christ → Husband → Wife. Maybe the wife gets to be in control of the family's pet mouse or something like that? That's very interesting, Paul, but do you have any fashion advice for the ladies?
Any man who prays or prophesies with something on his head disgraces his head, but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled disgraces her head—it is one and the same thing as having her head shaved. For if a woman will not veil herself, then she should cut off her hair; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or to be shaved, she should wear a veil. (1 Corinthians 11:5-6)
Hmmm… so why do women have to cover their heads in church while men don't?
A man ought not to have his head veiled, since he is the image and reflection of God; but woman is the reflection of man. Indeed, man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for the sake of woman, but woman for the sake of man. (1 Corinthians 11:7-9)
Ah, Paul's going back and selectively interpreting Genesis now. Nicely done, sir. Later in 1 Corinthians, Paul interrupts his helpful advice on the orderly way to speak in tongues with some harsh words for church ladies:
As in all the churches of the saints, women should be silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as the law also says. If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached? (1 Corinthians 14:33-36)
So zip it up ladies! No one likes a Chatty Cathy… except all the people who buy those Chatty Cathy dolls. Anyway, so what do these verses all mean for us today? Let's dig in.
Meek and Mild Women
Today, a minority of Christians still interpret the verses about head covering literally. Amish women have their heads covered at all times (since they might pray or prophecy at any time). Some traditionalist Catholic women also wear a small veil or head covering during mass. But, in the vast majority of churches, you'll see ladies walking around with hair flowing freely. So much for the inerrant word of God, right?
The same thing with silence in churches. Modern Christian women often lead prayer, sing songs, and do all kinds of other vocal activities in church. Some denominations even ordain women, so you can bet these girls are doing a whole lot of talking without consulting their husbands.
Lots more Christians would probably think Paul's whole hierarchy (with men coming out on top of women) still holds true today. God created men to be large and in charge. Women should be lowly and meek and submissive. All that good stuff. These verses also uphold the idea that men and women should have distinctive roles and appearances both in the church and society. Women submit and keep your hair long. Men rule and hats be damned.
These, along with some other choice verses from the Bible—like the charming, "wives, submit to your husbands" from Colossians 3 and Ephesians 5—have been used to support the idea that God's just not that thrilled with half the people he created.
All the Churchy Ladies
But obviously, not all Christians see things this way. Even within Paul's whole diatribe on men and women and hair length, he includes this little gem:
Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man or man independent of woman. For just as woman came from man, so man comes through woman; but all things come from God. (1 Corinthians 11:11-12)
So Paul is saying that men and women need each other. Eve might have been created out of Adam's rib, but ladies have been doing most of the heavy lifting when it comes to creating new life since then. Paul is also throwing out a little reminder for the gentlemen. Before you get all high and mighty—don't forget, the real head honcho is God. Hey, Paul's just saying.
As far as the long hair/short hair debate, these are important passages because they help remind us how much the Bible is influenced by its time and place. Today, we wouldn't think anything of a women cutting her long locks. And we don't want to live in a world with a short-haired Tim Riggins. Paul's appeals to "custom" and "nature" remind us that those kinds of ideas are changing all the time. Two thousand years from now, everyone will probably walk around completely naked and wonder why we kept freaking out about clothes all the time.
Then there's the stuff about women being silent in church. The fact that this helpful advice interrupts a huge speech on speaking in tongues might indicate that this wasn't an original part of Paul's letter. These directions are also a direct contradiction to what he says in chapter 11. Women are allowed to pray and prophecy if they have their heads covered, but later, he tells them to shush up all together. What gives, Paul?
If they are authentic, it's possible that Paul is just talking about a special group of unruly ladies and not every single woman in the church. Maybe these sassy housewives were constantly interrupting worship and no one could get a word in edgewise. If that's the case, we sympathize. Shmoop hates it when people monopolize a conversation.
Now What?
Paul seems to be taking both sides here. Sure, he clearly thinks men are the greatest, but he's also cautious about too much separation. Women need to follow rules in church, but Paul knows that he needs the ladies around to keep this ship a float. Amen. Or should we say awomen?
Overall, today, these verses aren't too much of a problem. Christians don't debate too much about how long a girl's hair should be or if people need to be wearing hats in church. But the underlying issues (do only people with penises get to make decisions?) are still a hugely hot topic. Even Paul can't settle thousands of years of gender inequality.
Slavery
This topic seems like a no-brainer. There's no way Paul, a disciple of Christ, like Paul, could have supported it, right? Oh, we're sorry to disappoint you…
What Does Corinthians Say?
Paul actually refers to slavery pretty directly a couple times. But some of his most famous advice to slaves is here:
Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. Even if you can gain your freedom, make use of your present condition now more than ever. For whoever was called in the Lord as a slave is a freed person belonging to the Lord, just as whoever was free when called is a slave of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of human masters. In whatever condition you were called, brothers and sisters, there remain with God. (1 Corinthians 7:21-24)
We're not sure that "eh, don't worry about it" is the best advice anyone has ever given to the enslaved. It also seems pretty cruel to say that a slave who believes in Jesus is "metaphorically free." So even if this isn't exactly an endorsement that slavery is awesome, the actual practice gets a pretty big shoulder-shrug from Paul here.
This is probably because, for Paul, slavery was just a way of life in the Roman Empire (source). Foreigners and prisoners of war were routinely kept as slaves. Sometimes Romans would even sell their children into slavery. Yeah, it sucked.
Remember, too, that Paul loves law and order. Imagine the kind of stink eye that would be directed towards Christianity if they went around saying that Christian slaves should be freed or try to escape. The chance for martyrdom would have come a whole lot quicker that's for sure.
He's a Slave for You
So Paul thinks you should keep on slaving away not worry about it, right? Well, even if he doesn't show too much concern for the condition of slaves, he uses their situation as a metaphor for his own service to God:
- "For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them" (1 Corinthians 9.19).
- "I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified" (1 Corinthians 9.27).
- "For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake" (2 Corinthians 4.5).
Paul is a slave for Jesus, meaning he's compelled to serve him forever and always (with no bathroom breaks in between). Here, Paul seems to be saying that a life of servitude is worthy and that slaves have apostolic qualities that God finds charming. Sure, it's not the Emancipation Proclamation, but it's a start.
P.S. Want to know how Christians have handled this whole ordeal? Check out our discussion of slavery in Matthew.