Hello! To what extent are commands in scripture culture-specific? For example, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,” or “neither…the effeminate… shall inherit the kingdom of God.” Is masculinity or femininity defined by the culture in which you live? I am trying to form a Biblical position on transgender/sex expression. If the Bible doesn’t say it’s wrong for men to wear dresses or makeup but men are not to be feminine, should a Christian man in America dress or present themselves like a cultural American woman? I don’t blink twice when I see an Irish man in a kilt, but I would if my next door neighbor wore a dress and makeup. Any help to think about this or other verses would be appreciated.
I want to begin with a few comments about the Bible verses quoted in the question.
First, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths” isn’t the entire verse. In fact, Paul shows us that his statement isn’t culturally specific, but is rooted in being transformed by faith in Christ. For he writes…
You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29 NET)
In no culture is it appropriate to allow unwholesome words to come out of your mouth. And, in all cultures, it is wholesome to speak words that build up others.
Second, “neither…the effeminate… shall inherit the kingdom of God” is from the King James Version (KJV). If you don’t know, the KJV uses English from centuries ago, which can make it challenging to interpret as we impose modern English definitions on a non-modern translation.
Here are some modern English translations of the entire passage being quoted (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. – ESV
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! The sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, passive homosexual partners, practicing homosexuals, 10 thieves, the greedy, drunkards, the verbally abusive, and swindlers will not inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Some of you once lived this way. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. – NET
These modern translations shift our focus from masculinity or femininity (which is what comes to mind with the KJV’s use of “effeminate”) and show us that the verse is focused on sexually immoral behavior. And the morality or immorality of sexual behavior is not dependent upon the culture in which we live, but is based on the authority of God’s Word.
Finally, regarding what the Bible does say about men, women, and what they wear, I’d suggest considering Deuteronomy 22:5 (though carefully, as it’s easy to become legalistic in defining which clothes are men’s and which are women’s).
Regarding the topics of transgenderism and transvestitism, two different issues by the way, the primary biblical categories to consider are God as Creator and that of lying (especially as it pertains to the ninth commandment).
As Christians, we believe that God is the Creator of everyone and everything. Just as he had Adam name all of the creatures in the Garden, God has an even greater authority over all of his creation. Those he creates as men are men. Those he creates as women are women. God, not us, has the final say on who we are sexually (and gender, for those who separate sex and gender).
Regarding lying and the ninth commandment, the Westminster Larger Catechism question 144 asks, “What does the ninth commandment require?” It’s answer…
The ninth commandment requires that we maintain and promote truthfulness in our dealings with each other, and the good reputation of others as well as ourselves. We must come forward and stand up for the truth, speaking the truth and nothing but the truth from our hearts, sincerely, freely, clearly, and without equivocation, not only in all matters relating to the law and justice but in any and every circumstance whatsoever. We must have a charitable regard for others, loving, desiring, and rejoicing in their good reputation as well as regretting and putting the best light on their failings. We must freely acknowledge their talents and gifts, defending their innocence, readily receiving a good report about them and reluctantly admitting a bad one. We should discourage gossips, flatterers, and slanderers; we should love and protect our own good reputation and defend it when necessary; we should keep every lawful promise we make no matter what; and finally we should do the best we can to focus our lives and thoughts on things that are true, noble, lovely, and admirable.
Question 145 asks, “What particular sins does the ninth commandment forbid?” It’s answer…
The ninth commandment forbids everything detrimental to the truth and the good reputation of others as well as our own, with special reference to legal matters in the courts. We must not give untrue evidence, suborn perjury, knowingly appear and plead on behalf of an evil cause, or engage in overbearing and boastful exaggeration. We should never participate in passing an unjust sentence, call evil good or good evil, or reward the wicked in a way appropriate to the righteous or the righteous in a way appropriate to the wicked. Forgery is forbidden, as is concealing the truth, remaining silent in a just cause, and not taking it on ourselves to reprove or complain to others about some wrong. We must not speak the truth at an inappropriate time, or maliciously to promote a wrong purpose, nor pervert it into a wrong meaning, into ambiguous equivocations, or in such ways as to undermine truth and justice. Also forbidden are: saying anything untrue, as well as lying, slandering, backbiting, belittling, gossiping, whispering, ridiculing, reviling, and expressing any kind of judgmental opinion that is rash, harsh, or prejudiced; misconstruing intentions, words, and actions; flattery and ostentatious boasting; thinking or speaking too highly or too poorly of ourselves or others; denying the gifts of God or the effects of his grace on us; exaggerating the significance of trivial faults; concealing, excusing, or rationalizing our sinful behavior when we are called to confess it voluntarily; gratuitously revealing the problems and failings of others; spreading false rumors, receiving and approving evil reports, and refusing to listen to a just defense; harboring evil suspicions; being envious of or grieved by the deserved honors others receive, trying to discredit those honors, and rejoicing at someone else’s disgrace or evil reputation; scornful contempt and foolish admiration; breaking our lawful promises; and, finally, failing to promote everyone’s good name, and doing, not avoiding, or not hindering in others, as we can, those things that give people a bad name.
If, as Christians, we believe that God created everyone and everything and that his words are true, just as he is Truth, then, when it comes to human sexuality, God’s truth of who we are must influence our view of transgenderism and transvestitism. Especially if we want to obey the ninth commandment.