Matthew 19:9-12
9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.
10 His disciples said to Him, If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.
11 But He said to them, All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: 12 For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mothers womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heavens sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.
1 Corinthians 7:36-38
36 But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry. 37 Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well. 38 So then he who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.
In the situation described above, the man feels that he is behaving improperly toward a woman and that it would be better for him to marry her. But what if the woman doesn't feel the same way? What if she can control herself? I would think that many woman can control themselves. Though this isn't such with all woman, but generally we can keep our desires in check. Should she refuse his proposal? It seems that the Bible teaches that a person who is able to accept celibacy, should.
And if the person that chooses to control himself does better than the person who marries, then shouldn't all Christians strive for this? We are supposed to love the Lord with all our heart, so shouldn't we strive for the best? Isn't one of the fruits of the Spirit self-control? But striving for celibacy is never something I hear taught. I always hear teachings on marriage, though.
Maybe I'm missing something? Thoughts/opinions/explanations?
9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.
10 His disciples said to Him, If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.
11 But He said to them, All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: 12 For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mothers womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heavens sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.
1 Corinthians 7:36-38
36 But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry. 37 Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well. 38 So then he who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.
In the situation described above, the man feels that he is behaving improperly toward a woman and that it would be better for him to marry her. But what if the woman doesn't feel the same way? What if she can control herself? I would think that many woman can control themselves. Though this isn't such with all woman, but generally we can keep our desires in check. Should she refuse his proposal? It seems that the Bible teaches that a person who is able to accept celibacy, should.
And if the person that chooses to control himself does better than the person who marries, then shouldn't all Christians strive for this? We are supposed to love the Lord with all our heart, so shouldn't we strive for the best? Isn't one of the fruits of the Spirit self-control? But striving for celibacy is never something I hear taught. I always hear teachings on marriage, though.
Maybe I'm missing something? Thoughts/opinions/explanations?
