Note 1 at 1Co 6:9: In the Greek, no article is used with the word "unrighteous," indicating that character, not the act, is being discussed. Paul was not saying that those who have committed one of these acts are doomed to hell. There is forgiveness through faith in Christ (1Co 6:11) that makes people totally new creatures (2Co 5:17). Those who experience the new birth are no longer sinners even though they sin (see note 1 at Ro 6:20 and note 6 at 1Co 6:11).

Note 2 at 1Co 6:9: The Apostle Paul told us that through creation, a revelation of God was made known to mankind (see note 2 at Ro 1:18). As a result of people turning away from that light, they turned to darkness, with the final outcome being idolatry (Ro 1:21-23).

Idolatry may be described as the worship of anything that takes the place of devotion to God. In the Old Testament, this included false gods, idols, images, etc. (Le 26:30, De 32:37-38, Jdg 10:14, 2Ki 18:33, and Eze 14:6). In the New Testament, idolatry includes being lovers of self and lovers of pleasures more than God (2Ti 3:2-4), with a strong emphasis on covetousness, which Paul stated is idolatry (Eph 5:5 and Col 3:5).

The Apostle John ended his epistle to believers by saying, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols" (1Jo 5:21). A strong antidote to this sin is a constant acknowledgement of God in all our ways with thanksgiving, praise, and glory to Him (Pr 3:5-6 and Ro 1:21).

Note 3 at 1Co 6:9: The word "effeminate" is found only one time in the King James version (this verse). The American Heritage Dictionary defines "effeminate" as "1. Having qualities or characteristics more often associated with women than men. 2. Characterized by weakness and excessive refinement."

The Latin word from which we obtain "effeminate" is "EFFEMINARE," and it means "make feminine." Strong's Concordance defines this Greek word for "effeminate"--"MALAKOS"--as "a catamite." A catamite is a boy kept by a pederast, who is a man who practices sexual relations with a boy.

The marginal note in the New American Standard Bible states, "i.e. effeminate by perversion." Plainly stated, it seems that "effeminate," in this context, is a male taking the female role in a sexual relationship with another male. Scripture plainly states such conduct as being against nature (Ro 1:26-27).

The Apostle Paul stressed in this chapter that the believer's body is the Lord's (1Co 6:13), the temple of the Holy Spirit (1Co 6:19), bought with a price, and to be used to glorify God (1Co 6:20).

Note 4 at 1Co 6:9: This phrase, "abusers of themselves with mankind," comes from one Greek word, "ARSENOKOITES." This word was only used one other time in the Bible in 1Ti 1:10, where it was translated "defile themselves with mankind." According to Strong's Concordance this word means "a sodomite."