Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Asceticism » Exemplified in celibacy
thereupon his disciples said, if the case between man and wife be such, it is best not to marry.
As to the unmarried and widows, I say, it is best for them to continue so, as I do.
are you contracted to a wife? seek not to be disengag'd. are you disengag'd from your wife? don't look out for another;
interdicting marriage; and the use of animal food; which God created for the repast of the faithful, who embrace the truth with thankfulness.
these are they who were not defiled with women: for they are virgins: these are they who follow the lamb wherever he goes: these were ransom'd from among men, being the first fruits unto God, and to the lamb.
Continence » Instances of » Paul
As to the unmarried and widows, I say, it is best for them to continue so, as I do.
Example » Paul, our
my constant example has shown you that the disabled should be assisted by your labours, remembring the words of the Lord Jesus, who said, "it is a greater happiness to give than to receive."
Keep that form of sound doctrine you receiv'd from me, which consists in christian faith and charity:
however I obtained mercy, that Jesus Christ might demonstrate the greatness of his clemency, by making me an eminent instance of it to those who should hereafter believe in him, in order to eternal life.
tread in my steps, my brethren, and fix your eyes upon those who follow the example I give you.
and therefore I intreat you, to copy after me.
Imitate herein my example as I do that of Christ.
practise what I have taught, what you have learnt of me, what you have heard me preach, and seen me practise. this do, and the God of peace will then be with you.
for I wish that all men were as I myself am: but every man hath his proper gift from God, some one way, and some another. As to the unmarried and widows, I say, it is best for them to continue so, as I do.
for you know what an example we have given for your imitation: that our conduct among you was regular: that we did not eat any man's bread for nothing: but with toil and fatigue work'd night and day to avoid being chargeable to any of you: not, that we had no just claim, but to present ourselves as a pattern, which you should imitate, read more.
pursuant to the maxim, which we laid down, when among you, "he that refuses to work should be deny'd food."
pursuant to the maxim, which we laid down, when among you, "he that refuses to work should be deny'd food."
Marriage » Who should get married
but as for the rest, I speak it by way of counsel, and not of command. for I wish that all men were as I myself am: but every man hath his proper gift from God, some one way, and some another. As to the unmarried and widows, I say, it is best for them to continue so, as I do. read more.
but if they have not the gift, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to be in pain.
but if they have not the gift, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to be in pain.
Marriage » Advised
for I wish that all men were as I myself am: but every man hath his proper gift from God, some one way, and some another. As to the unmarried and widows, I say, it is best for them to continue so, as I do.
brethren, let every man conscientiously continue in the state he was in when he was converted. As to the case of celibacy, I have no positive instructions: yet my advice deserves to be regarded, as coming from one the divine favour has distinguished. I think therefore it is best, considering the present distress, I say, it is best, for a single person to continue so still. read more.
are you contracted to a wife? seek not to be disengag'd. are you disengag'd from your wife? don't look out for another; not that it is a sin for you to marry; nor is it so if a virgin marry; but they that do, will be troubled for their relations, and that I would prevent. This I say, brethren, because the time is coming, when they who have wives will be as those that have none; and they that weep, as those that are unconcern'd; and they that rejoice, as those that do not; and they that buy, as those that have no possessions; and they that possess this world, as those that can't make an ill use of it. for the scene of this world is continually shifting. I would have you free from anxiety. the unmarried is religiously concerned, how he may please the Lord: he that is married is worldly concern'd, how he may please his wife. there is the same difference between a married woman and a virgin: the last is religiously concern'd to be holy, both in body and mind: but she that is married is taken up with worldly cares to please her husband. And this I say for your particular advantage, not to lay any constraint upon you, but as that which is most suitable to a state of uninterrupted attendance upon religion. if any man thinks it would be a reflexion upon his manhood to be a stale batchelor, and so ought to marry; let him follow his bent, he is at liberty, let such marry. but he that has been steady in his purpose, and finds no necessity to alter it; if he is a master of his passion, and is heartily determin'd to keep his virginity, it is well. so that he who marries, does well; but he who lives single, may have less trouble. The wife is bound as long as her husband lives: but if her husbnd be dead, she is at liberty to be married, if she pleases; provided it be to a christian. but she will be happier, if she remain a widow, in my opinion: and I think the divine spirit suggests the same.
are you contracted to a wife? seek not to be disengag'd. are you disengag'd from your wife? don't look out for another; not that it is a sin for you to marry; nor is it so if a virgin marry; but they that do, will be troubled for their relations, and that I would prevent. This I say, brethren, because the time is coming, when they who have wives will be as those that have none; and they that weep, as those that are unconcern'd; and they that rejoice, as those that do not; and they that buy, as those that have no possessions; and they that possess this world, as those that can't make an ill use of it. for the scene of this world is continually shifting. I would have you free from anxiety. the unmarried is religiously concerned, how he may please the Lord: he that is married is worldly concern'd, how he may please his wife. there is the same difference between a married woman and a virgin: the last is religiously concern'd to be holy, both in body and mind: but she that is married is taken up with worldly cares to please her husband. And this I say for your particular advantage, not to lay any constraint upon you, but as that which is most suitable to a state of uninterrupted attendance upon religion. if any man thinks it would be a reflexion upon his manhood to be a stale batchelor, and so ought to marry; let him follow his bent, he is at liberty, let such marry. but he that has been steady in his purpose, and finds no necessity to alter it; if he is a master of his passion, and is heartily determin'd to keep his virginity, it is well. so that he who marries, does well; but he who lives single, may have less trouble. The wife is bound as long as her husband lives: but if her husbnd be dead, she is at liberty to be married, if she pleases; provided it be to a christian. but she will be happier, if she remain a widow, in my opinion: and I think the divine spirit suggests the same.
Sexual activities » Avoiding fornication
"meat is design'd for the belly, and the belly for meat:" true, yet God has design'd both for destruction. now the body is not design'd for licentiousness, but for the glory of the Lord; since the Lord died for the glorification of the body: for as God hath raised up the Lord, so will he likewise raise us up to partake of his own power. Don't you know, that your bodies are parts of Christ's mystical body? now, how can that which is Christ's, be made the property of a very creature? read more.
it cannot be. why, don't you perceive, that where there is such an attachment, they are but as one person? for the scripture says, "they two shall be as one." but he that is attach'd to the Lord, is united to him by one and the same spirit. flee licentiousness. no other sin that a man commits does affect the church as a body: but the licentious commits a fraud against the whole body to which he belongs. what! know ye not that your bodies are the temple of the holy spirit, which is in you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? for you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
it cannot be. why, don't you perceive, that where there is such an attachment, they are but as one person? for the scripture says, "they two shall be as one." but he that is attach'd to the Lord, is united to him by one and the same spirit. flee licentiousness. no other sin that a man commits does affect the church as a body: but the licentious commits a fraud against the whole body to which he belongs. what! know ye not that your bodies are the temple of the holy spirit, which is in you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? for you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
Now as to the question you writ to me about; "whether it is best for a man not to marry?" I answer, with regard to the licentious, it is best for a man, to have his wife; and for a woman to have her husband. let the husband discharge his obligations to his wife: and likewise the wife to the husband. read more.
the wife has not the right of her own person, but the husband: and so likewise the husband has not the right of his own person, but the wife. don't desert one another, unless you mutually consent to retire for a time, to the solemnity of prayer; and then come together again, lest satan make an attempt upon your continency. but as for the rest, I speak it by way of counsel, and not of command. for I wish that all men were as I myself am: but every man hath his proper gift from God, some one way, and some another. As to the unmarried and widows, I say, it is best for them to continue so, as I do. but if they have not the gift, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to be in pain.
the wife has not the right of her own person, but the husband: and so likewise the husband has not the right of his own person, but the wife. don't desert one another, unless you mutually consent to retire for a time, to the solemnity of prayer; and then come together again, lest satan make an attempt upon your continency. but as for the rest, I speak it by way of counsel, and not of command. for I wish that all men were as I myself am: but every man hath his proper gift from God, some one way, and some another. As to the unmarried and widows, I say, it is best for them to continue so, as I do. but if they have not the gift, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to be in pain.
Stoicism » Paul teaches » Celibacy
The wife is bound as long as her husband lives: but if her husbnd be dead, she is at liberty to be married, if she pleases; provided it be to a christian. but she will be happier, if she remain a widow, in my opinion: and I think the divine spirit suggests the same.
Now as to the question you writ to me about; "whether it is best for a man not to marry?" I answer, with regard to the licentious, it is best for a man, to have his wife; and for a woman to have her husband. let the husband discharge his obligations to his wife: and likewise the wife to the husband. read more.
the wife has not the right of her own person, but the husband: and so likewise the husband has not the right of his own person, but the wife. don't desert one another, unless you mutually consent to retire for a time, to the solemnity of prayer; and then come together again, lest satan make an attempt upon your continency. but as for the rest, I speak it by way of counsel, and not of command. for I wish that all men were as I myself am: but every man hath his proper gift from God, some one way, and some another. As to the unmarried and widows, I say, it is best for them to continue so, as I do. but if they have not the gift, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to be in pain.
the wife has not the right of her own person, but the husband: and so likewise the husband has not the right of his own person, but the wife. don't desert one another, unless you mutually consent to retire for a time, to the solemnity of prayer; and then come together again, lest satan make an attempt upon your continency. but as for the rest, I speak it by way of counsel, and not of command. for I wish that all men were as I myself am: but every man hath his proper gift from God, some one way, and some another. As to the unmarried and widows, I say, it is best for them to continue so, as I do. but if they have not the gift, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to be in pain.
As to the case of celibacy, I have no positive instructions: yet my advice deserves to be regarded, as coming from one the divine favour has distinguished. I think therefore it is best, considering the present distress, I say, it is best, for a single person to continue so still.
the unmarried is religiously concerned, how he may please the Lord: he that is married is worldly concern'd, how he may please his wife.