Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Asceticism » Exemplified in celibacy
"If that," said the disciples, "is the position of a man with regard to his wife, it is better not to marry."
My advice, then, to those who are not married, and to widows, is this: It would be well for them to remain as I am myself.
Are you married to a wife? Then do not seek to be separated. Are you separated from a wife? Then do not seek for a wife.
and they discourage marriage and enjoin abstinence from certain kinds of food; though God created these foods to be enjoyed thankfully by those who hold the Faith and have attained a full knowledge of the Truth.
These are the men who never defiled themselves in their intercourse with women; they are as pure as virgins. These are the men who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were redeemed as the first-fruits of mankind for God and for the Lamb.
Continence » Instances of » Paul
My advice, then, to those who are not married, and to widows, is this: It would be well for them to remain as I am myself.
Example » Paul, our
I left nothing undone to show you that, laboring as I labored, you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said himself-- 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
Keep before you, as an example of sound teaching, all that you learnt from me as you listened with that faith and love which come from union with Christ Jesus.
Yet mercy was shown me for the express purpose that Christ Jesus might exhibit in my case, beyond all others, his exhaustless patience, as an example for those who were afterwards to believe on him and attain Immortal Life.
Brothers, unite in following my example, and fix your eyes on those who are living by the pattern which we have set you.
Therefore I entreat you-Follow my example.
Imitate me, as I myself imitate Christ.
All that you learned and received and heard and saw in me put into practice continually; and then God, the giver of peace, will be with you.
I should wish every one to be just what I am myself. But every one has his own gift from God-one in one way, and one in another. My advice, then, to those who are not married, and to widows, is this: It would be well for them to remain as I am myself.
For you know well that you ought to follow our example. When we were with you, our life was not ill-ordered, Nor did we eat any one's bread without paying for it. Night and day, laboring and toiling, we used to work at our trades, so as not to be a burden upon any of you. This was not because we had not a right to receive support, but our object was to give you a pattern for you to copy. read more.
Indeed, when we were with you, what we urged upon you was-- 'If a man does not choose to work, then he shall not eat.'
Indeed, when we were with you, what we urged upon you was-- 'If a man does not choose to work, then he shall not eat.'
Marriage » Who should get married
I say this, however, as a concession, not as a command. I should wish every one to be just what I am myself. But every one has his own gift from God-one in one way, and one in another. My advice, then, to those who are not married, and to widows, is this: It would be well for them to remain as I am myself. read more.
But, if they cannot control themselves, let them marry, for it is better to marry than to be consumed with passion.
But, if they cannot control themselves, let them marry, for it is better to marry than to be consumed with passion.
Marriage » Advised
I should wish every one to be just what I am myself. But every one has his own gift from God-one in one way, and one in another. My advice, then, to those who are not married, and to widows, is this: It would be well for them to remain as I am myself.
Brothers, let every one remain in the condition in which he was when he was called, in close communion with God. With regard to unmarried women, I have no command from the Master to give you, but I tell you my opinion, and it is that of a man whom the Master in his mercy has made worthy to be trusted. I think, then, that, in view of the time of suffering that has now come upon us, what I have already said is best-that a man should remain as he is. read more.
Are you married to a wife? Then do not seek to be separated. Are you separated from a wife? Then do not seek for a wife. still, if you should marry, that is not wrong; nor, if a young woman marries, is that wrong. But those who marry will have much trouble to bear, and my wish is to spare you. What I mean, Brothers, is this-The time is short. Meanwhile, let those who have wives live as if they had none, Those who are weeping as if not weeping, those who are rejoicing as if not rejoicing, those who buy as if not possessing, And those who use the good things of the world as using them sparingly; for this world as we see it is passing away. I want you to be free from anxiety. The unmarried man is anxious about the Master's Cause, desiring to please him; While the married man is anxious about worldly matters, desiring to please his wife; And so his interests are divided. Again, the unmarried woman, whether she is old or young, is anxious about the Master's Cause, striving to be pure both in body and in spirit, while the married woman is anxious about worldly matters, desiring to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not with any intention of putting a halter round your necks, but in order to secure for the Master seemly and constant devotion, free from all distraction. If, however, a father thinks that he is not acting fairly by his unmarried daughter, when she is past her youth, and if under these circumstances her marriage ought to take place, let him act as he thinks right. He is doing nothing wrong-let the marriage take place. On the other hand, a father, who has definitely made up his mind, and is under no compulsion, but is free to carry out his own wishes, and who has come to the decision, in his own mind, to keep his unmarried daughter at home will be doing right. In short, the one who consents to his daughter's marriage is doing right, and yet the other will be doing better. A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives; but, if the husband should pass to his rest, the widow is free to marry any one she wishes, provided he is a believer. Yet she will be happier if she remains as she is-in my opinion, for I think that I also have the Spirit of God.
Are you married to a wife? Then do not seek to be separated. Are you separated from a wife? Then do not seek for a wife. still, if you should marry, that is not wrong; nor, if a young woman marries, is that wrong. But those who marry will have much trouble to bear, and my wish is to spare you. What I mean, Brothers, is this-The time is short. Meanwhile, let those who have wives live as if they had none, Those who are weeping as if not weeping, those who are rejoicing as if not rejoicing, those who buy as if not possessing, And those who use the good things of the world as using them sparingly; for this world as we see it is passing away. I want you to be free from anxiety. The unmarried man is anxious about the Master's Cause, desiring to please him; While the married man is anxious about worldly matters, desiring to please his wife; And so his interests are divided. Again, the unmarried woman, whether she is old or young, is anxious about the Master's Cause, striving to be pure both in body and in spirit, while the married woman is anxious about worldly matters, desiring to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not with any intention of putting a halter round your necks, but in order to secure for the Master seemly and constant devotion, free from all distraction. If, however, a father thinks that he is not acting fairly by his unmarried daughter, when she is past her youth, and if under these circumstances her marriage ought to take place, let him act as he thinks right. He is doing nothing wrong-let the marriage take place. On the other hand, a father, who has definitely made up his mind, and is under no compulsion, but is free to carry out his own wishes, and who has come to the decision, in his own mind, to keep his unmarried daughter at home will be doing right. In short, the one who consents to his daughter's marriage is doing right, and yet the other will be doing better. A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives; but, if the husband should pass to his rest, the widow is free to marry any one she wishes, provided he is a believer. Yet she will be happier if she remains as she is-in my opinion, for I think that I also have the Spirit of God.
Sexual activities » Avoiding fornication
Food exists for the stomach, and the stomach for food; but God will put an end to both the one and the other. The body, however, exists, not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body; And, as God has raised the Lord, so he will raise up us also by the exercise of his power. Do not you know that your bodies are Christ's members? Am I, then, to take the members that belong to the Christ and make them the members of a prostitute? Heaven forbid! read more.
Or do not you know that a man who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body (for 'the two,' it is said, 'will become one'); While a man who is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit? Shun all immorality. Every other sin that men commit is something outside the body; but an immoral man sins against his own body. Again, do not you know that your body is a shrine of the Holy Spirit that is within you-the Spirit which you have from God? Moreover, you are not your own masters; you were bought, and the price was paid. Therefore, honor God in your bodies.
Or do not you know that a man who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body (for 'the two,' it is said, 'will become one'); While a man who is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit? Shun all immorality. Every other sin that men commit is something outside the body; but an immoral man sins against his own body. Again, do not you know that your body is a shrine of the Holy Spirit that is within you-the Spirit which you have from God? Moreover, you are not your own masters; you were bought, and the price was paid. Therefore, honor God in your bodies.
With reference to the subjects about which you wrote to me: It would be well for a man to remain single. But, owing to the prevalence of immorality, I advise every man to have his own wife, and every woman her husband. A husband should give his wife her due, and a wife her husband. read more.
It is not the wife, but the husband, who exercises power over her body; and so, too, it is not the husband, but the wife, who exercises power over his body. Do not deprive each other of what is due-unless it is only for a time and by mutual consent, so that your minds may be free for prayer till you again live as man and wife-lest Satan should take advantage of your want of self-control and tempt you. I say this, however, as a concession, not as a command. I should wish every one to be just what I am myself. But every one has his own gift from God-one in one way, and one in another. My advice, then, to those who are not married, and to widows, is this: It would be well for them to remain as I am myself. But, if they cannot control themselves, let them marry, for it is better to marry than to be consumed with passion.
It is not the wife, but the husband, who exercises power over her body; and so, too, it is not the husband, but the wife, who exercises power over his body. Do not deprive each other of what is due-unless it is only for a time and by mutual consent, so that your minds may be free for prayer till you again live as man and wife-lest Satan should take advantage of your want of self-control and tempt you. I say this, however, as a concession, not as a command. I should wish every one to be just what I am myself. But every one has his own gift from God-one in one way, and one in another. My advice, then, to those who are not married, and to widows, is this: It would be well for them to remain as I am myself. But, if they cannot control themselves, let them marry, for it is better to marry than to be consumed with passion.
Stoicism » Paul teaches » Celibacy
A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives; but, if the husband should pass to his rest, the widow is free to marry any one she wishes, provided he is a believer. Yet she will be happier if she remains as she is-in my opinion, for I think that I also have the Spirit of God.
With reference to the subjects about which you wrote to me: It would be well for a man to remain single. But, owing to the prevalence of immorality, I advise every man to have his own wife, and every woman her husband. A husband should give his wife her due, and a wife her husband. read more.
It is not the wife, but the husband, who exercises power over her body; and so, too, it is not the husband, but the wife, who exercises power over his body. Do not deprive each other of what is due-unless it is only for a time and by mutual consent, so that your minds may be free for prayer till you again live as man and wife-lest Satan should take advantage of your want of self-control and tempt you. I say this, however, as a concession, not as a command. I should wish every one to be just what I am myself. But every one has his own gift from God-one in one way, and one in another. My advice, then, to those who are not married, and to widows, is this: It would be well for them to remain as I am myself. But, if they cannot control themselves, let them marry, for it is better to marry than to be consumed with passion.
It is not the wife, but the husband, who exercises power over her body; and so, too, it is not the husband, but the wife, who exercises power over his body. Do not deprive each other of what is due-unless it is only for a time and by mutual consent, so that your minds may be free for prayer till you again live as man and wife-lest Satan should take advantage of your want of self-control and tempt you. I say this, however, as a concession, not as a command. I should wish every one to be just what I am myself. But every one has his own gift from God-one in one way, and one in another. My advice, then, to those who are not married, and to widows, is this: It would be well for them to remain as I am myself. But, if they cannot control themselves, let them marry, for it is better to marry than to be consumed with passion.
With regard to unmarried women, I have no command from the Master to give you, but I tell you my opinion, and it is that of a man whom the Master in his mercy has made worthy to be trusted. I think, then, that, in view of the time of suffering that has now come upon us, what I have already said is best-that a man should remain as he is.
I want you to be free from anxiety. The unmarried man is anxious about the Master's Cause, desiring to please him; While the married man is anxious about worldly matters, desiring to please his wife;