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Type 3 Eunuch

B

BigSodaExposer

Member
Jesus said its not for everyone to marry. He listed these as Eunuchs.

According to Jesus there are three types of Eunuchs (mathew 19:12)

1.Those born eunuch from the womb
2.those made eunuch by men
3.those who make themselves eunuch for the sake of the faith

What then is an Eunuch exactly?
Websters dictionary -
1
: a castrated man placed in charge of a harem or employed as a chamberlain in a palace
2
: a man or boy deprived of the testes or external genitals
3
: one that lacks virility or power <political eunuchs>

What then of a type 3 eunuch?

I believe that Paul was a type 3 eunuch, a celibate man. A celibate woman (nun) would also be a type 3 eunuch.

1 Corinthians 7:7-9
""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""

Paul said it was better to be as himself. Unmarried, but if one can't do that, then marry, because being married is better than to burn, go to hell. Almost like saying being married will keep one out of trouble (sin)

I have saw others refer to an Eunuch as one who made them self celibate for the faith, as in Paul's case.


Scripture does not say that Paul castrated himself in order to be celibate. Following Jesus is a voluntarily humility, not a law. This can be compared to many countries that practice FGM (female genital mutilation) on females in order to force them into non promiscuous activity by removing their sexual desire by FGM. But Jesus explained how you can do the same thing by simply practicing thought control. Don't look on women with lust. Don't think harmful thoughts of your brother. Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

The old testament portrays Eunuchs as those that take care of a harem of women, therefore a man without sexual desire and lust would be desired to be around such large quantities of women.
 
I don't think choosing to abstain from sex makes one a eunuch. By definition (as I understand it), a eunuch is sterile.
 
@BigSodaExposer

I think you are correct in saying that the type 3, are those who choose celibacy in order to be always free to serve God without other obligations. This is why......
YLT
Mat 19:12 ....and there are eunuchs who kept themselves eunuchs because of the reign of the heavens: he who is able to receive it --let him receive.'
I believe this is a spiritual ability to keep themselves celibate, for surely actual castration would be an offensive to God.
1Co 7:7 for I wish all men to be even as I myself am ; but each his own gift hath of God, one indeed thus, and one thus.
I think Paul sees this as being a position that the Lord has enabled and not given to all.
1Co 7:25 And concerning the virgins, a command of the Lord I have not; and I give judgment as having obtained kindness from the Lord to be faithful:
I think, Paul is saying that the Lord spiritually intervened (obtained kindness) in the natural desire to help him refrain so that he could be faithful to doing the work the Lord sent him to do. But he goes on to say, clarifying....

1Co 7:26 I suppose, therefore, this to be good because of the present necessity, that it is good for a man that the matter be thus: --
and he lines out the different positions of thoughts on no marriage/marriage and so children.

I also found in a commentary that there was a sect of the Jews who lived celibate lives, the Essences. Adam Clarke's Commentary
Other good commentaries on this subject Matthew Henry, John Gill, and others.
"For there are some eunuchs,.... Our Lord here distinguishes the various sorts of persons, that can and do live in a single state with content: some by nature, and others by violence offered to them, are rendered incapable of entering into a marriage state; and others, through the gift of God, and under the influence of his grace, abstain from marriage cheerfully and contentedly, in order to be more useful in the interest of religion;"
http://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/matthew/19.htm

 
Deborah13 said:
@BigSodaExposer

I think you are correct in saying that the type 3, are those who choose celibacy in order to be always free to serve God without other obligations. This is why......
YLT
Mat 19:12 ....and there are eunuchs who kept themselves eunuchs because of the reign of the heavens: he who is able to receive it --let him receive.'
I believe this is a spiritual ability to keep themselves celibate, for surely actual castration would be an offensive to God.
1Co 7:7 for I wish all men to be even as I myself am ; but each his own gift hath of God, one indeed thus, and one thus.
I think Paul sees this as being a position that the Lord has enabled and not given to all.
1Co 7:25 And concerning the virgins, a command of the Lord I have not; and I give judgment as having obtained kindness from the Lord to be faithful:
I think, Paul is saying that the Lord spiritually intervened (obtained kindness) in the natural desire to help him refrain so that he could be faithful to doing the work the Lord sent him to do. But he goes on to say, clarifying....

1Co 7:26 I suppose, therefore, this to be good because of the present necessity, that it is good for a man that the matter be thus: --
and he lines out the different positions of thoughts on no marriage/marriage and so children.

I also found in a commentary that there was a sect of the Jews who lived celibate lives, the Essences. Adam Clarke's Commentary
Other good commentaries on this subject Matthew Henry, John Gill, and others.
"For there are some eunuchs,.... Our Lord here distinguishes the various sorts of persons, that can and do live in a single state with content: some by nature, and others by violence offered to them, are rendered incapable of entering into a marriage state; and others, through the gift of God, and under the influence of his grace, abstain from marriage cheerfully and contentedly, in order to be more useful in the interest of religion;"
http://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/matthew/19.htm
Click to expand...
Just to clarify for me, are you saying that being a eunuch is a state of mind and not a physical state or maybe a little of both?
 
WIP said:
Just to clarify for me, are you saying that being a eunuch is a state of mind and not a physical state or maybe a little of both?
Click to expand...

When I read Matthew 19:12 it appeared to me to be three distinct classification. Two being caused by something physical.
The third being something spiritual that can be done, by God's grace and specifically to serve God.
Dr. Gill, said the same.

I think this verse gives support to that view,
1Co 7:9 and if they have not continence--let them marry, for it is better to marry than to burn;
I don't think when Paul says 'burn' here he is referring to sin and condemnation but to actual burning desire because he says if they can't control themselves, it would take God's grace to do this.
I think this is the same reason Paul gave in Timothy for not allowing young widows to agree to live in celibacy. She had already known a husband and surely knew intimacy.
 
WIP said:
Just to clarify for me, are you saying that being a eunuch is a state of mind and not a physical state or maybe a little of both?
Click to expand...
Both. Like you can have physical castrated eunuchs, and you can have a mental state eunuch. The mental state eunuchs could be those that control thoughts to the point of being like a physical eunuch, OR it could be those born mentally different that might possible lack the same desires as other men. Its at least possible isn't it?
 
Deborah13 said:
When I read Matthew 19:12 it appeared to me to be three distinct classification. Two being caused by something physical.
The third being something spiritual that can be done, by God's grace and specifically to serve God.
Dr. Gill, said the same.

I think this verse gives support to that view,
1Co 7:9 and if they have not continence--let them marry, for it is better to marry than to burn;
I don't think when Paul says 'burn' here he is referring to sin and condemnation but to actual burning desire because he says if they can't control themselves, it would take God's grace to do this.
I think this is the same reason Paul gave in Timothy for not allowing young widows to agree to live in celibacy. She had already known a husband and surely knew intimacy.
Click to expand...

Thats very interesting Deborah, I didnt think of the word burn in THAT way. I was thinking burning in hell. Its very interesting how one can look at certain scripture in a negative or positive way.
 
Deborah13 said:
@BigSodaExposer

I think you are correct in saying that the type 3, are those who choose celibacy in order to be always free to serve God without other obligations. This is why......
YLT
Mat 19:12 ....and there are eunuchs who kept themselves eunuchs because of the reign of the heavens: he who is able to receive it --let him receive.'
I believe this is a spiritual ability to keep themselves celibate, for surely actual castration would be an offensive to God.
1Co 7:7 for I wish all men to be even as I myself am ; but each his own gift hath of God, one indeed thus, and one thus.
I think Paul sees this as being a position that the Lord has enabled and not given to all.
1Co 7:25 And concerning the virgins, a command of the Lord I have not; and I give judgment as having obtained kindness from the Lord to be faithful:
I think, Paul is saying that the Lord spiritually intervened (obtained kindness) in the natural desire to help him refrain so that he could be faithful to doing the work the Lord sent him to do. But he goes on to say, clarifying....

1Co 7:26 I suppose, therefore, this to be good because of the present necessity, that it is good for a man that the matter be thus: --
and he lines out the different positions of thoughts on no marriage/marriage and so children.

I also found in a commentary that there was a sect of the Jews who lived celibate lives, the Essences. Adam Clarke's Commentary
Other good commentaries on this subject Matthew Henry, John Gill, and others.
"For there are some eunuchs,.... Our Lord here distinguishes the various sorts of persons, that can and do live in a single state with content: some by nature, and others by violence offered to them, are rendered incapable of entering into a marriage state; and others, through the gift of God, and under the influence of his grace, abstain from marriage cheerfully and contentedly, in order to be more useful in the interest of religion;"
http://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/matthew/19.htm
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the information sister. That is making a lot of sense.
 
BigSodaExposer said:
Both. Like you can have physical castrated eunuchs, and you can have a mental state eunuch. The mental state eunuchs could be those that control thoughts to the point of being like a physical eunuch, OR it could be those born mentally different that might possible lack the same desires as other men. Its at least possible isn't it?
Click to expand...
I don't know. It would require going against one's natural desire. Can a person do that on their own? I think Deborah13 is saying it could be done with God, and I could certainly agree if it is God's will.
 
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