On Celibacy

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.” 1 Corinthians 7v1 (KJV)

“Now regarding the questions you asked in your letter. Yes, it is good to abstain from sexual relations.” 1 Corinthians 7v1 (NLT)

“Now as to the matters of which you wrote me. It is well [and by that I mean advantageous, expedient, profitable, and wholesome] for a man not to touch a woman [to cohabit with her] but to remain unmarried.” 1 Corinthians 7v1 (AMP)

The church at Corinth had written to Paul to ask him certain things. Perhaps, it had become a matter of great concern for them that they needed his perspective on things. In the previous chapter, Paul had made it known unto them that the body was not made for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body (1 Corinthians 6v13). But in questions concerning the married and unmarried, what was to be done? Paul here says it is profitable, advantageous, wholesome for a man not to touch a woman or have sexual relations. Paul and Jesus were examples of people who remained celibate. Certain advantages of this are seen in 1 Corinthians 7v32-40, where Paul speaks of an unmarried person spending his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking of how to please Him, while the married person thinks of pleasing his or her spouse. Albeit, Jesus also spoke of this matter:

Supplementary Text

“The disciples said to Him, If the case of a man with his wife is like this, it is neither profitable nor advisable to marry. But He said to them, Not all men can accept this saying, but it is for those to whom [the capacity to receive] it has been given. For there are eunuchs who have been born incapable of marriage; and there are eunuchs who have been made so by men; and there are eunuchs who have made themselves incapable of marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let him who is able to accept this accept it.” Matthew 19v10-12 (AMP)

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day. We thank You for Your goodness, Your faithfulness and love. We thank You for who You have called each one of us to be and the plans You have for every life. We pray that Your will be done in us in Jesus name, amen.