9 Bible Verses about Celibacy
Most Relevant Verses
"If this is the case with a man in relation to his wife," said the disciples to Him, "it is better not to marry."
And I would have you free from worldly anxiety. An unmarried man concerns himself with the Lord's business--how he shall please the Lord;
I now deal with the subjects mentioned in your letter. It is well for a man to abstain altogether from marriage.
Yet I would that everybody lived as I do; but each of us has his own special gift from God--one in one direction and one in another.
I think then that, taking into consideration the distress which is now upon us, it is well for a man to remain as he is.
A minister then must be a man of irreproachable character, true to his one wife, temperate, sober-minded, well-behaved, hospitable to strangers, and with a gift for teaching;
Now the Spirit expressly declares that in later times some will fall away from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and the teachings of demons; through the hypocrisy of men who teach falsely and have their own consciences seared as with a hot iron; forbidding people to marry, and insisting on abstinence from foods which God has created to be partaken of, with thankfulness, by those who believe and have a clear knowledge of the truth.
These are those who had not defiled themselves with women: they are as pure as virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They have been redeemed from among men, as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.
"If this is the case with a man in relation to his wife," said the disciples to Him, "it is better not to marry." "It is not every man," He replied, "who can receive this teaching, but only those on whom the grace has been bestowed. There are men who from their birth have been disabled from marriage, others who have been so disabled by men, and others who have disabled themselves for the sake of the Kingdom of the Heavens. He who is able to receive this, let him receive it."
From Thematic Bible
Stoicism » Paul teaches » Celibacy
A woman is bound to her husband during the whole period that he lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to marry whom she will, provided that he is a Christian. But in my judgement, her state is a more enviable one if she remains as she is; and I also think that I have the Spirit of God.
I now deal with the subjects mentioned in your letter. It is well for a man to abstain altogether from marriage. But because there is so much fornication every man should have a wife of his own, and every woman should have a husband. Let a man pay his wife her due, and let a woman also pay her husband his. read more.
A married woman is not mistress of her own person: her husband has certain rights. In the same way a married man is not master of his own person: his wife has certain rights. Do not refuse one another, unless perhaps it is just for a time and by mutual consent, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer and may then associate again; lest the Adversary begin to tempt you because of your deficiency in self-control. Thus much in the way of concession, not of command. Yet I would that everybody lived as I do; but each of us has his own special gift from God--one in one direction and one in another. But I tell the unmarried, and women who are widows, that it is well for them to remain as I am. If, however, they cannot maintain self-control, by all means let them marry; for marriage is better than the fever of passion.
Concerning unmarried women I have no command to give you from the Lord; but I offer you my opinion, which is that of a man who, through the Lord's mercy, is deserving of your confidence. I think then that, taking into consideration the distress which is now upon us, it is well for a man to remain as he is.
And I would have you free from worldly anxiety. An unmarried man concerns himself with the Lord's business--how he shall please the Lord; but a married man concerns himself with the business of the world--how he shall please his wife.
