Bible Study Paul his views on celabcy and marriage

[greyfeather]

I have a question in the following passages it seems as though Paul prefered being celabte as opposed to being married . I may be wrong and if so will welcome any anserws you can give. I have often wondered if thats where the catholics got the belife that being celabte was what God wanted, if so was it do to Pauls writtings?

1 Corinthians
1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.

7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I.
9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

 

[JohnR]

I have a question in the following passages it seems as though Paul prefered being celabte as opposed to being married.

This is the same as the teaching of Jesus.

Matthew 19:10-12
His disciples said to Him, "If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry."
[11] But He said to them, "All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: [12] For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it."

 

[guibox]

Do you really want to know the real reason why the Catholic church instituted celibacy?

It is because some of the worst fornicators and mistress keepers were clergy, cardinals and a few popes in some instances. Specifically, between the 9th and 13th centuries simony (the selling of church offices) was rampant and whoremongerers, murderers, adulterers, and in one instance, a satanist were occupying the papal throne.

Finally a church council was formed to try and reform this behavior amongst the priests. Hence, it was made church law that the clergy remain celibate.

 

[evanman]

Imposing Celibacy didn't work, cos they're still at it!

 

[Free]

Celibacy has been, and is, used more by many of the Christian mystics and ascetics as a way to be unhindered in their walk with God. It is something that is either a gift from God or it requires complete dependence on, and strength from, God.

 

[guibox]

I do have problem with forced celibacy. It is not fair in the least to make someone choose between their faith and a loving relationship merely because 'the church says so'. Celibacy should be a personal recommendation like Paul said. If someone is dedicated enough, they will choose it individually.

Who do you think is more devoted to their faith and someone you'd want in a parish position?

a. Someone who chooses to remain celibate and serve the Lord without distraction

b. Someone forced to deny their God given sexuality for companionship an procreation because they still feel strongly in serving the Lord and to do so they have no other choice.

Perhaps the church might have more discipline with their priests if they could serve both God and their wife and have a balance like God intended it to begin with.

 

[evanman]

ALL believers, male and female, are priests of God. Peter said so!

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Apostle John also said so:

Re 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

 

[greyfeather]

Payuls view on celebacy and marriage

Well when I look at Genesis 2 I see that God had marriage in mind for people. He wanted man and women too be together and to replenish the earth. Same thing in Genesis 1

24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Genesis 1
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Genesis 1
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

 

[Dean]

grey, it's OK not to accept it. In NEITHER instance did Paul or Jesus INSIST on celibate, exclusive, focus on God.

You seem to be seeking a license to remarry, by citing GENESIS, where God addresses the FIRST TWO HUMANS to fill the Earth (btw they did a pretty fair job) as more applicable than Jesus and Paul directly addressing Believers!

You have been married. If you can focus exclusively on God, that is the preferred, but not the commanded, path. Paul basically DEMANDED that widows remarry. You are not a widow, however, so it's a little less clear. Many Christians struggle with remarriage after divorce (since divorce is more prevalent within the Church than outside it).

I could NOT have remained single. But if for some reason my marriage failed, I would strongly attempt to resist remarriage. The painful truth for the faithful is that remarriage outside of a widowing event is not endorsed in the NT. Nevertheless, "it is better to marry than to burn".

 

[greyfeather]

Paul his views on celebacy and marriage

Dean,

I was not seeking a license to remarry. I am divorced because I was beaten for 9 years, plus other things. I was engaged to be married to a man a Christain who delighted in the Lord. He died this past April and at my age I am fine with being alone. I would never find anyone to replace Paul and trust me Im not looking too. God put him in my life for a reason and I cherish every moment that God allowed him too be in my life. I know there was a reason he put us together and a reason he took him home , but I know Paul is with The Lord in whom he put all his faith and love and this gives me peace.

 

[Dean]

I'm very sorry for your loss, and forgive my presumption. I misunderstood the direction of your argument.

God bless you and give you His promised peace.

 

[greyfeather]

Dean,
Thats ok no harm done. Sometimes I do not articulate what I am trying to say well, so maybe thats why you thought I was going in a different direction.

 

[serapha]

I have a question in the following passages it seems as though Paul prefered being celabte as opposed to being married . I may be wrong and if so will welcome any anserws you can give. I have often wondered if thats where the catholics got the belife that being celabte was what God wanted, if so was it do to Pauls writtings?

1 Corinthians
1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.

7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I.
9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

1 Cor 7
6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.

The word in 1 corinthians 7:6 is "epitage" meaning a mandate or a command. So, Paul speaks with permission of God, not by mandate from God. It isn't a "commandment" that cannot be broken, but as an instruction given under the permissive leading of God.

Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

By way of permission (kata sungnwmhn). Old word for pardon, concession, indulgence. Secundum indulgentiam (Vulgate). Only here in N.T., though in the papyri for pardon. The word means "knowing together," understanding, agreement, and so concession. Not of commandment (ou kat epitaghn). Late word (in papyri) from epitassw, old word to enjoin. Paul has not commanded people to marry. He has left it an open question.

~serapha~

 

[greyfeather]

Paul views on ceibacy and marriage

searpha,
He does seem to put in his own views alot and thats why I get mixed messages . I think he should have been a little clearer but I understand it now anyway thanks though.