- Oct 16, 2008
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To be fair, it's quite possible that 'sexual immorality' refers less to sex outside of marriage and more to things like masturbation. But in that case, we're even more screwed than I thought![]()
Actually the english translation moved the word "porneia" (root of pornography) into sexual immorality; though technically what it referred to was "selling off" of sexual purity: being a pimp, prostitute, or the like.
Similarly the english translation moved the word "pharmakeia" (root of pharmacy) into witch craft; though technically that it referred to was "drug-related sorcery": the ancient practice of taking deadly nightshade in order to trip balls.
So going back to the greek you have at once a much more conservative, and a much more liberal, potential reading of the material. Personally I think it's more instructive to look into the "kingdom" part of the kingdom of God.
I say this because if Paul intended to indicate salvation he could have easily referred to "sótéria" translated "salvation, but which technically referred to "self-actualization" as there was already a word "soter" which referred to "one who saves": which Plato quoted Socrates as saying "one who is a philosopher".
The english translation moved the word "basileia" (no english root) into Kingdom (of God); though technically that referred to "a total dictator ship over slaves": which is to say weather or not you have perfect submission to Jesus.
The point being that, in no case, does failure to be part of the Kingdom of God indicate that you will "burn in hell for all eternity." But rather that, if you are a Christian, you've got some growing up to do.
