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Read Introduction to 1 Corinthians

 

9 “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,”

 

Do you not know that the unrighteous

The “unrighteous” are those not right with God. This is a person who does not have imputed righteousness. He has not been justified before God. An unregenerate person cannot please God.

will not inherit the kingdom of God?

This list of sins does not deal with losing one’s salvation but identifying those who are “unrighteous” (i.e., those who are not Christians). They will not inherit the kingdom because they are not justified.

Do not be deceived.

The issue of this verse is the exact place where people deceive themselves. Fornicators love to deceive others about fornication, sodomites about their sodomy.

Neither fornicators,

The word “fornicators” is the word immoral in Greek. This is sexual sin of any type. Immorality does not pay attention to rank or culture, status in life, rich or poor. This is a sin against the body.

nor idolaters,

Idolatry is not a sin of the flesh but a sin of the mind. It doesn’t make any difference whether we worship the Ganges River in India, our ancestors in Japan, or ourselves in Orlando – it is idolatry. Our idol may be a god of gold. It may be my body, baby, job, or profession. Jesus will not play second fiddle to anyone or anything. The greatest building in Corinth was the Temple of Aphrodite. Aphrodite was the goddess of lust. Lust is a god to some people. Idolatry is more than simply bowing before an idol; it is the worship of any false religion.

nor adulterers,

Adultery is sex between people married to different people. Adultery exploded when women entered the workforce. People plan meetings after work, and fellow employees know about it. More so, God sees it and is grieved.

nor homosexuals,

The previous sex sins are within the natural category, but now Paul turns to the unnatural sex sins with “homosexuals” and “sodomites.” “Homosexuals” are sex deviates among male homosapiens. This also includes transvestitism. This sin was predominant in the first century. Socrates and Plato practiced this sin long before the first century. Fourteen out of the first 15 Roman Emperors were homosexual. Near the time of the writing of 1 Corinthians, the Roman Emperor Nero took a boy called Sporus and married him with a full ceremony. Nero took him home in procession to his place. The following Emperor took Sporus after Nero died.

Lev 20:13,  If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.

nor sodomites…

“Sodomites” are male or female perverts (Genesis 19:4-5; 18:20). The Bible does not recognize sodomy as a disease but as a sin. In Genesis 6, God destroyed a whole civilization because of sodomy. This involves catamites as well – young men kept for homosexual intercourse.

PRINCIPLE:

Conversion makes a visible difference in the lives of Christians.

APPLICATION:

If we run with horses, we will smell like horses. If we lie down with dogs, we will get up with fleas. If Christian young people run with a godless crowd, they will come up with godlessness.

Sexual perversion types of sin are “perversions” because they undermine the family structure. Churches that defend perversion undermine one of God’s most important institutions – the family.

There is a remedy for sin – the death of Jesus Christ on the cross as a substitute for our sin.

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