Hebrews, James, Peter, John, and Jude Sexual Health Vocabulary

The Book of Hebrews

Covenant, διαθήκη, dee-ah-THEY-kay

But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant (ministry) of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant, (διαθήκη, dee-ah-THEY-kay) is established on better promises. (Hebrews 8:6)

Noah and Sexual Nihilism Imagery

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. (Hebrews 11:7)

Bear children, καταβολὴν σπέρματος, kah-tah-bow-LANE SPER-ma-toss

And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children (καταβολὴν σπέρματος, kah-tah-bow-LANE SPER-ma-toss) because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. (Hebrews 11:11)

Female Sacred Sex Trade Worker, πόρνη, PAR-nay

Rahab

By faith the prostitute (πόρνη, PAR-nay) Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. (Hebrews 11:31)

Male Sacred Sex Trade Worker, πόρνος, PAR-naws

See that no one is sexually immoral (πόρνος, PAR-naws), or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. (Hebrews 12:16)

Honor in Marriage, Τίμιος γάμος, TIH-me-aws GAW-moss

Marriage Bed Kept Pure, κοίτη ἀμίαντος, KOI-tay ah-MEE-awn-toss

Adulterer, μοιχός, moy-KAWS

Male Sacred Sex Trade Workers, πόρνος, PAR-naws

Marriage (γάμος, GAW-moss) should be honored (tίμιος, TIH-me-aws) by all, and the marriage bed kept pure (κοίτη ἀμίαντος, KOI-tay ah-MEE-awn-toss), for God will judge the adulterer (μοιχός, moy-KAWS) and all the sexually immoral (πόρνος, PAR-naws). (Hebrews 13:4)

The Book of James

To Commit Adultery, μοιχεύω, moy-KEU-oh

To Murder, φονεύω, foe-NEW-oh

For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery (μοιχεύω, moy-KEU-oh),” also said, “You shall not murder (φονεύω, foe-NEW-oh).” If you do not commitadultery (μοιχεύω,moy-KEU-oh) but do commit murder(φονεύω, foe-NEW-oh), you have become a lawbreaker. (James 2:11)

The Books of Peter

Tools

New Birth, ἀναγεννάω, aw-naw-ghen-NAW-oh

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth (ἀναγεννάω, aw-naw-ghen-NAW-oh) into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1:3)

Erotic Rage, ἐπιθυμία, eh-pee-thew-MEE-ah

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires (ἐπιθυμία, eh-pee-thew-MEE-ah) you had when you lived in ignorance. (1 Peter 1:14)

Debauchery-Immorality, ἀσέλγεια, ah-SELL-gay-ah

Erotic Rage, ἐπιθυμία, eh-pee-thew-MEE-ah

Idolatry (Sacred Sex Trade), εἰδωλολατρία, eye-doe-low-la-TREE-ah

Unhealthy Sexuality, ἀσωτία, ah-so-TEE-ah

For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery (ἀσέλγεια, ah-SELL-gay-a), lust (ἐπιθυμία, eh-pee-thew-MEE-ah), drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry (εἰδωλολατρία, eye-doe-loh-la- TREE-ah). They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living (ἀσωτία, ah-so-TEE-ah), and they heap abuse on you. (1 Peter 4:3-4)

Sexual Violence Images

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…if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly. (2 Peter 2:6)

Adultery, μοιχαλίs, moy-kah-LIS

Seduce, δελεάζω, deh-lee-AH-dzoh

With eyes full of adultery (μοιχαλίs, moy-kah-LIS), they never stop sinning; they seduce (δελεάζω, deh-lee-AH-dzoh)the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood! (2 Peter 2:14)

Balaam

Tools

They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness. (2 Peter 2:15)

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The Books of John

Idols and the Sacred Sex Trade, εἴδωλον, AI-doe-lawn

Dear children, keep yourselves from idols (εἴδωλον, AI-doe-lawn). (1 John 5:21)

The Book of Jude

Sexual Violence Images, Sodom and Gomorrah

Sacred Sex Trade, ἐκπορνεύω, ek-par-NEW-oh

Other Flesh, ἕτερος σάρξ, HEH-tew-ross SAR-KS

In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality (ἐκπορνεύω, ek-par-NEW-oh) and perversion (HEH-tew-ross SAR- KS). They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire. (Jude 1:7)

Tools

Pollute, μιαίνω, mee-EYE-noh

In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute (μιαίνω, mee-EYE-noh);their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. (Jude 1:8)

Sexual Violence Image-Aphrodite, ἐπαφρίζω, eh-paw-FRIH-dzoh (possible)

Shame, αἰσχύνη, ai-SKEW-nay

They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up (ἐπαφρίζω, eh-paw-FRIH-dzoh) their shame (αἰσχύνη, ai-SKEW-nay) wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever. (Jude 1:13)

Summary

The Book of Hebrews

Covenant, διαθήκη, dee-ah-THEY-kay

Covenant appears 33 times in 30 verses of the NT. The NIV cites covenant 14 times in the Book of Hebrews. Covenant in Greek is διαθήκης, pronounced dia-THEY-case. (Strong, G1242) Every reference to covenant in the Book of Genesis begins with the sexual health positive phrase, “Be fruitful and multiply”. The writer of Hebrews makes the case the new covenant with Jesus is a better platform than the OT covenant. Could this mean that the New Covenant through Christ is a safer sexual health ethic than the Old Testament? 

Noah and Sexual Nihilism

Noah appears 55 times in 51 verses of the NIV.  The Gospels cite Noah 5 times, Hebrews once, and Peter 3 times. Chapters 6-11 of Genesis teaches families about sexual violence and incest prevention. The outcome for sexual nihilism and abuse was annihilation by tsunami. In Hebrews 11:7 it states that Noah “condemned” the world. Could the condemnation be for sexual nihilism and erotic violence?

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. (Hebrews 11:7)

…to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water. (1 Peter 3:20)

Bear children, καταβολὴν σπέρματος, kah-tah-bow-LANE SPER-ma-toss

The words for childbearing are unique. The literal Greek phrase is laying down or injecting sperm. The Greek terms are καταβολὴν σπέρματος, pronounced ka-ta-bow-LANE SPER-ma-toss, throwing down sperm. (Strong G4690 and G2602)

Female Sacred Sex Trade Worker, πόρνη, PAR-nay

Rahab

Hebrews 11 to 13 form a porn inclusio of sorts. The section begins with Rahab the faithful female sacred sex trade worker, πόρνη, PAR-nay in Greek. The inclusio ends with the male plural form of the term πόρνος, PAR-naws.  (Strong, G4205) Again, translators may have edited the text according to their own sexual politics. The female form of sacred sex trade worker, πόρνη, PAR-nay, always translates as prostitute. The male term for sacred sex trade worker, πόρνος, PAR-naws, never translates accurately. Favored edits for translators are: fornicators, whoremongers, and the sexually immoral instead of male sex trade workers, πόρνος, PAR-naws.  Within the porn inclusio emerges a sexual health piece. The author of Hebrews elevates sexual health in marriage using the term honor. He is also sexual health positive when speaking about sexual intercourse in a long term relationship. He states the marriage bed, κοίτη, KOI-tay, is pure. Koite sounds much like the Latin term, coitus. (Strong, 2845)

By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. (Hebrews 11:31)

See that no one is sexually immoral (πόρνος, PAR-naws), or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. (Hebrews 12:16)

Marriage (γάμος, GAW-moss) should be honored (tίμιος, TIH-me-aws)by all, and the marriage bed (κοίτη, KOI-tay) kept pure (ἀμίαντος, ah-MEE-awn-toss), for God will judge the adulterer (μοιχός, moy-KAWS) and all the sexually immoral (πόρνος, PAR-naws).(Hebrews 13:4)

The Book of James

The Book of James sexual health language orbits sexual violence.

For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery (μοιχεύω, moy-KEU-oh),” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commitadultery (μοιχεύω, moy-KEU-oh) but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. (James 2:11)

In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute (πόρνη, PAR-nay) considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? (James 2:25)

Tools

You desire (ἐπιθυμία, eh-pee-thew-MEE-ah)but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. (James 4:2)

Adultery connects to murder, Rahab touches the sexual violence of trafficking, and epithumia or lust once again appears with killing and fighting. 

The Books of Peter

Like the Genesis author Peter begins his two book series with a sexual health positive phrase, new birth.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth (ἀναγεννάω, aw-naw-ghen-NAW-oh) into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1:3)

The word Peter uses is ἀναγεννάω, prounounced a-na-gen-NAH-oh. (Strong, G313) This is similar language as the John 3:7 conversation with Nicodemus. John uses the famous phrase γεννάω, gen-NAH-oh, ἄνωθεν, AH-no-then, meaning born again or new birth. (Strong, G1080 and G509)

When Peter speaks about unhealthy sexuality, he uses the familiar erotic rage (ἐπιθυμία, eh-pee-thew-MEE-ah) term linking this violent word with immorality, the coercion of the sacred sex trade, and a word Luke uses in his Gospel. Luke 15 records the snap shot of the Good Father and prodigal son. The lifestyle of the addict son describes as wild living (ἀσωτία, ah-so-TEE-ah). The problematic behavior of the son includes being sexually joined to a Greek citizen for pay.  The “righteous” brother further argues the prodigal engaged in the sacred sex trade using the Good Father’s finances. Peter also uses the Sodom and Gomorrah sexual violence image of Genesis 19. He introduces a new sexual health term in 2 Peter 2:14. Peter combines both adultery (μοιχαλίs, moy-kah-LIS) with the new term sexual seduction, (δελεάζω, deh-lee-AH-dzoh)

Peter’s final image is Balaam. This OT unhealthy sexuality figure coerced the people of Israel to participate in the for profit religious economy of sex trafficking. 

They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness. (2 Peter 2:15)

Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion. (Jude 1:11)

Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols (εἰδωλόθυτος, eye-doe-LAH-thew-toss) and committed sexual immorality (πορνεύω, par-NEW-oh). (Revelation 2:14; Strong, G2532 and G4203)

The Books of John

The Books of John feature numerous intimacy terms and images. The one unhealthy sexuality term John uses is idols connecting to the sacred sex trade.

Dear children, keep yourselves from idols (εἴδωλον, AI-doe-lawn). (1 John 5:21)

The Book of Jude

The Book of Jude focuses primarily on sexual violence terms. Jude uses the familiar 

Sodom and Gomorrah, with the word pollute, μιαίνω, mee-EYE-noh. Jude introduces two terms unseen before in the Bible. He adds the preposition ek, to par-NEW-oh, sacred sex trade, ἐκπορνεύω, ek-par-NEW-oh,  and the phrase “other flesh”, ἕτερος σάρξ, HEH-tew-ross SARKS.

In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality (ἐκπορνεύω, ek-par-NEW-oh) and perversion (HEH-tew-ross SARKS). They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute (μιαίνω, mee-EYE-noh);their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. (Jude 1:7-8)

The phrase “other flesh”, ἕτερος σάρξ, HEH-tew-ross SARKS, appears once in the Bible. Other NT sexual health passages using the term σάρξ, SARKS are:

and said, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh”? (Matthew 19:5)

So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.( Matthew 19:6)

and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. (Mark 10:8)

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” (Ephesians 5:31)

Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires (ἐπιθυμία, eh-pee-thew-MEE-ah) of the flesh. (Romans 13:14)

Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” (1 Corinthians 6:16)

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery. (Galatians 5:19)

The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. (Revelation 17:6)

In the New Testament σάρξ, SARKS appears in sexual health context 9 times. 5 uses of the term connect to sexual health and genital sexual intercourse in marriage. 3 times σάρξ, SARKS connects to the sacred sex trade. Once the term occurs with erotic violence, (ἐπιθυμία, eh-pee-thew-MEE-ah). The majority of uses of σάρξ, SARKS in the New Testament connect to sexual health in marriage. The remainder of the passages relate to the sacred sex trade and erotic violence.

In the Old Testament flesh  (σάρξ, SARKS) is used twice in sexual health contexts. When God speaks to Noah about judgement by tsunami for the violence of sexual nihilism, the term flesh (σάρξ, SARKS) is used. The second passage appears with the incest prohibitions of Leviticus 18. Based on the word usage in the OT and NT flesh  (σάρξ, SARKS) most likely connects to the sexual violence of human trafficking and incest.

So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people (σάρξ, SARKS) for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. (Genesis 6:13)

No one is to approach any close relative (σάρξ, SARKS) to have sexual relations. I am the LORD. (Leviticus 18:6)

Jude finishes his work with a possible image from Greek sexual health narratives, Aphrodite.

They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up (ἐπαφρίζω, eh-paw-FRIH-dzoh) their shame (αἰσχύνη, ai-SKEW-nay) wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever. (Jude 1:13)

Aphrodite emerged from the bloody foam of a violent castration snap shot. She is the goddess of love in Greek sexual health narratives. Her name may connect to the Greek word for foam, ἐπαφρίζω, eh-paw-FRIH-dzoh. Jude then connects this image to shame. Perhaps this is the shame of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3?