malakoi and arsenokoitai: In Defence of Tertullian's Translation
The debate over the translation of malakoi and arsenokoitai in 1 Cor 6.9 can and should be settled by a non polemical and complete survey of the material now that comprehensive databases of ancient texts are available. The translation of arsenokoitai by Tertullian, several Vetus Latina MSS and the Vulgate has the best evidential foundation. To establish the meaning of this term one has to turn to etymology and usage, a semantic domain of terms for sexual intercourse, and patristic and classical texts. Once the semantics of arsenokoites is better grounded, the ancient Latin translation of malakoi becomes the most probable.
New Testament Studies