Was Peter married?

[U R my Sonshine]

Matt. 19:11-12 - Jesus says celibacy is a gift from God and whoever can bear it should bear it. Jesus praises and recommends celibacy for full-time ministers in the Church. Because celibacy is a gift from God, those who criticize the Church's practice of celibacy are criticizing God and this wonderful gift He bestows on His chosen ones.



Matt. 19:29 - Jesus says that whoever gives up children for the sake of His name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life. Jesus praises celibacy when it is done for the sake of His kingdom.

Matt. 22:30 - Jesus explains that in heaven there are no marriages. To bring about Jesus' kingdom on earth, priests live the heavenly consecration to God by not taking a wife in marriage. This way, priests are able to focus exclusively on the spiritual family, and not have any additional pressures of the biological family (which is for the vocation of marriage). This also makes it easier for priests to be transferred to different parishes where they are most needed without having to worry about the impact of their transfer on wife and children.

1 Cor 7:1 – Paul teaches that it is well for a man not to touch a woman. This is the choice that the Catholic priests of the Roman rite freely make.

1 Cor. 7:7 - Paul also acknowledges that celibacy is a gift from God and wishes that all were celibate like he is.

1 Cor. 7:27 – Paul teaches men that they should not seek marriage. In Paul’s opinion, marriage introduces worldly temptations that can interfere with one’s relationship with God, specifically regarding those who will become full-time ministers in the Church.

1 Cor. 7:32-33, 38 - Paul recommends celibacy for full-time ministers in the Church so that they are able to focus entirely upon God and building up His kingdom. He “who refrains from marriage will do better.”

1 Tim. 3:2 - Paul instructs that bishops must be married only once. Many Protestants use this verse to prove that the Church's celibacy law is in error. But they are mistaken because this verse refers to bishops that were widowers. Paul is instructing that these widowers could not remarry. The verse also refers to those bishops who were currently married. They also could not remarry (in the Catholic Church's Eastern rite, priests are allowed to marry; celibacy is only a disciplinary rule for the clergy of the Roman rite). Therefore, this text has nothing to do with imposing a marriage requirement on becoming a bishop.

1 Tim. 4:3 - in this verse, Paul refers to deceitful doctrines that forbid marriage. Many non-Catholics also use this verse to impugn the Church's practice of celibacy. This is entirely misguided because the Catholic Church (unlike many Protestant churches) exalts marriage to a sacrament. In fact, marriage is elevated to a sacrament, but consecrated virginity is not. The Church declares marriage sacred, covenantal and lifegiving. Paul is referring to doctrines that forbid marriage and other goods when done outside the teaching of Christ and for a lessor good. Celibacy is an act of giving up one good (marriage and children) for a greater good (complete spiritual union with God).

1 Tim. 5:9-12 - Paul recommends that older widows take a pledge of celibacy. This was the beginning of women religious orders.

2 Tim. 2:3-4 - Paul instructs his bishop Timothy that no soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim his to satisfy the One who enlisted him. Paul is using an analogy to describe the role of the celibate priesthood in the Church.

Rev. 14:4 - unlike our sinful world of the flesh, in heaven, those consecrated to virginity are honored.

Isaiah 56:3-7 - the eunuchs who keep God's covenant will have a special place in the kingdom of heaven.
Jer. 16:1-4 - Jeremiah is told by God not to take a wife or have children.

http://www.scripturecatholic.com/the_priesthood.html#priesthood-IV

Hi Jeff. This is all so perfectly sensible. I think the verses completely back up the BENEFITS of preists remaining celibate. Any one who has a spouse that works alot could see the benefits. You can give more to one than you can to two.

I for one find it admirable. Sure....there are some who have a hard time with celibacy. They are sinners like the rest of us. At least they strive for that and USUALLY make it work....for the good of the church.

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

...I for one find it admirable. Sure....there are some who have a hard time with celibacy. They are sinners like the rest of us. At least they strive for that and USUALLY make it work....for the good of the church.

 

[JerryShugart]

Matt. 19:29 - Jesus says that whoever gives up children for the sake of His name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life. Jesus praises celibacy when it is done for the sake of His kingdom.

JefferyLoyd,

Matthew 19:29 is not speaking about pledged celibacy at all:

"And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life"(Mt.19:29).

He is speaking of forsaking families that already exist.None of the verses which you give support the idea of pledged celibacy.

In His grace,--Jerry

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

....None of the verses which you give support the idea of pledged celibacy.

I disagree. I suggest people read the verse and decide for themselves.

 

[JerryShugart]

I disagree. I suggest people read the verse and decide for themselves.

Here are the words of the Lord again:

"And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life"(Mt.19:29).

If this is speaking of not having children then the Lord would have said that those who have forsaken "having children" shall receive everlasting life.

But that is not what He said.

In His grace,--Jerry

 

[ThankyouJesus]

yes, Peter was married ~ but he did pick up his cross and followed Jesus and I think that was the main thing he did in his life ~ He leaded the rest of the disciples as s good Shepherd until his death. Throughout the Gospels Peter was willing to do anything for Jesus ~ even if he slacked alittle ~ he was the Leader to the Apostels when Jesus Asecended to Heaven ~ Jesus made him the Shepherd to feed his flock.

 

[U R my Sonshine]

Here are the words of the Lord again:

"And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life"(Mt.19:29).

If this is speaking of not having children then the Lord would have said that those who have forsaken "having children" shall receive everlasting life.

But that is not what He said.

In His grace,--Jerry

As far as pledged celibacy...Why not? I imagine it is alot easier to stick to if there is a commitment/a vow....instead of a "I will be celibate until I decide to change my mind."

I mean if they don't mind.....they give up having a standard family to be 100% available to the church who are we to question their calling, thier conscience, and thier convictions?

I KNOW being a wife is stressful....I can't imagine leading a church too...and I know my husband has MUCH more stress supporting us financially and emotionally than I do....so to add him leading a church would really be difficult...I know our protestant ministers do it....but I have also seen some family problems arise from it....I think it is great if a man can devote himself to one or the other. Just my .02 they are both beautiful areas of ministry.

 

[holeinone]

Matt. 19:11-12 - Jesus says celibacy is a gift from God and whoever can bear it should bear it. Jesus praises and recommends celibacy for full-time ministers in the Church. Because celibacy is a gift from God, those who criticize the Church's practice of celibacy are criticizing God and this wonderful gift He bestows on His chosen ones.



Matt. 19:29 - Jesus says that whoever gives up children for the sake of His name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life. Jesus praises celibacy when it is done for the sake of His kingdom.

Matt. 22:30 - Jesus explains that in heaven there are no marriages. To bring about Jesus' kingdom on earth, priests live the heavenly consecration to God by not taking a wife in marriage. This way, priests are able to focus exclusively on the spiritual family, and not have any additional pressures of the biological family (which is for the vocation of marriage). This also makes it easier for priests to be transferred to different parishes where they are most needed without having to worry about the impact of their transfer on wife and children.

1 Cor 7:1 – Paul teaches that it is well for a man not to touch a woman. This is the choice that the Catholic priests of the Roman rite freely make.

1 Cor. 7:7 - Paul also acknowledges that celibacy is a gift from God and wishes that all were celibate like he is.

1 Cor. 7:27 – Paul teaches men that they should not seek marriage. In Paul’s opinion, marriage introduces worldly temptations that can interfere with one’s relationship with God, specifically regarding those who will become full-time ministers in the Church.

1 Cor. 7:32-33, 38 - Paul recommends celibacy for full-time ministers in the Church so that they are able to focus entirely upon God and building up His kingdom. He “who refrains from marriage will do better.”

1 Tim. 3:2 - Paul instructs that bishops must be married only once. Many Protestants use this verse to prove that the Church's celibacy law is in error. But they are mistaken because this verse refers to bishops that were widowers. Paul is instructing that these widowers could not remarry. The verse also refers to those bishops who were currently married. They also could not remarry (in the Catholic Church's Eastern rite, priests are allowed to marry; celibacy is only a disciplinary rule for the clergy of the Roman rite). Therefore, this text has nothing to do with imposing a marriage requirement on becoming a bishop.

1 Tim. 4:3 - in this verse, Paul refers to deceitful doctrines that forbid marriage. Many non-Catholics also use this verse to impugn the Church's practice of celibacy. This is entirely misguided because the Catholic Church (unlike many Protestant churches) exalts marriage to a sacrament. In fact, marriage is elevated to a sacrament, but consecrated virginity is not. The Church declares marriage sacred, covenantal and lifegiving. Paul is referring to doctrines that forbid marriage and other goods when done outside the teaching of Christ and for a lessor good. Celibacy is an act of giving up one good (marriage and children) for a greater good (complete spiritual union with God).

1 Tim. 5:9-12 - Paul recommends that older widows take a pledge of celibacy. This was the beginning of women religious orders.

2 Tim. 2:3-4 - Paul instructs his bishop Timothy that no soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim his to satisfy the One who enlisted him. Paul is using an analogy to describe the role of the celibate priesthood in the Church.

Rev. 14:4 - unlike our sinful world of the flesh, in heaven, those consecrated to virginity are honored.

Isaiah 56:3-7 - the eunuchs who keep God's covenant will have a special place in the kingdom of heaven.
Jer. 16:1-4 - Jeremiah is told by God not to take a wife or have children.

http://www.scripturecatholic.com/the_priesthood.html#priesthood-IV

Were all the married popes and bishops and priests out of gods order?

Catholics always like to go back and say such and such a practice was obseverd by the early church .

The early church had married clergy .Priests had wives and children .

"At the Council of Nicaea in 325, a proposal to require celibacy for all priests was defeated and at the Council of Trullo in 692, marriage rights for priests were reasserted.

Schillebeeckx says that, first in the fourth century came a law that forbade a married priest from having sexual intercourse the night before celebrating the Eucharist. However, when the Western Church began celebrating a daily mass, abstinence became a permanent factor for married priests."

In 1022 Pope Benedict VIII banned marriages and concubines for priests and in 1139 (The Second Lateran Council) Pope Innocent II voided all marriages of priests and all new priests had to divorce their wives and that mandatory celibacy was officially imposed on all priests.
Any marriage entered into by a priest was regarded as invalid and anyone currently married had to separate from their spouses leaving them to whatever fate God had in store for them, even if it meant leaving them destitute.

"One does not approach the alter and consecrated vessels with soiled hands," had been the pagan view and then became the cornerstone for compulsory Christian celibacy. (ibid) Other not-necessarily concurrent or chronological developments also contributed to the establishment of the celibacy requirement for catholic priests. More bishops began to be chosen from the ranks of monks who had already taken monastic vows of chastity. Another factor was an economic development as the Church began acquiring his own property. According to Rice, there was a real danger that legitimate children of priests could inherit and deprive the Church of its land. At the time, common law prevented illegitimate children from inheriting property.


In reality, the 1139 law did not enact celibacy but merely changed marriage into concubinage. Rice quotes from a document on celibacy prepared by church historian Hubert Jedin for the Second Vatican Council:

"It would be a mistake to imagine that these permanent concubines, especially in the countryside, would have aroused a lot of scandal," said Jedin. "We know of many cases where these `keepers of concubines' possessed the sympathies of their parishioners and were looked upon as good and virtuous pastors." (ibid page 162)



No finer mind than Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologia II-IIa, 88, 11)had provided stubborn opposition to those who saw celibacy rulings as part of divine law. Thomas contended that the celibacy requirement for Catholic priests was merely Church law that could be reversed by any time by papal or conciliar authority. (MacGregor pages 108-109)

http://www.arthurstreet.com/celibacy1993.html

 

[tall73]

Enforced celibacy no. But preferred celibacy yes.

Jesus made it clear that some would become eunuchs for the kingdom of God. Those who can accept it should.

Paul also put it in those terms saying one has this gift, another has that.

As a married pastor it IS a challenge to balance both family and church. And I know a lot of pastors who have served their church well and lost their family.

Do I think it should be required for all? No, some have one gift, some another. Paul said he had the RIGHT to take a believing wife, but chose not to. So I would say we should endorse that choice too.

If they wish to make a pledge of celibacy that is entirely their choice.

 

[Talcara]

Just out of interest, I was wondering why can't Catholic priests be married? I assume that there would be a reason for it. In fact, I've heard that there is some dicussion about changing that because numbers of incoming priests are low.

 

[Borealis]

Just out of interest, I was wondering why can't Catholic priests be married? I assume that there would be a reason for it. In fact, I've heard that there is some dicussion about changing that because numbers of incoming priests are low.

The basic reason is that the Church believes (and has taught for centuries, though not as a doctrine of faith) that forsaking marriage allows a man to more fully devote his life to the service of God, without having to balance family and church duty. I have heard that many Protestant pastors have family difficulties because of being unable to maintain this balance. Hearsay only, so kindly don't jump down my throat with denials.

The discussion about allowing married priests is mainly among the laypeople, not the priesthood. As my priest put it a while ago, if you support having married priests and you're putting less than $25 in the collection plate, you'd better plan to put at least that much in because you'll have to support a priest AND his family. And since priests aren't going to be using birth control...

 

[Monica02]

Why do some people care if Cathoilic priests marry or not? I do not care if ministers of other faiths are married or not.

 

[Sophia7]

In my denomination, we have kind of the opposite situation to that of the Catholic and Orthodox churches as far as marriage of clergy. Theology students who are about to graduate and are looking for jobs are often overlooked if they are not married. I'm not sure why; perhaps those who do the hiring are concerned about possible inappropriate relationships with church members. (However, a married pastor can be tempted just as easily as an unmarried one.) My husband (Tall73) did not get a job until after we were married. In any case, I don't believe it is right to make marital status the main criterion for hiring. What about that person's call to the ministry by God?

Both Jesus and Paul seemed favorable to the idea that for some it would be better not to marry. Here is what they said:

Matthew 19:8 Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery."

10 The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry."

11 Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. 12 For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."

1 Corinthians 7:1 Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry. 2 But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. 5 Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.

8 Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. 9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

1 Corinthians 7:32 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs--how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world--how he can please his wife-- 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world--how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.

I believe that for some it is better to remain unmarried because, as the Bible says, then they can devote themselves more fully to the work of the Lord. As my husband said, a married pastor does have a difficult task in juggling the demands of both the ministry and a family. My husband does a good job of it, but we know several pastors who don't, and in that situation it is usually the family that gets neglected, and then the children often end up leaving the church when they grow up.

I don't think the biblical counsel on this should apply only to clergy, though. Paul also advises women not to marry, and I don't think he had in mind their becoming priests or pastors (although some churches would say that now, but that is a topic for another thread). Neither do I believe that a vow of celibacy should be a requirement for the clergy, but if a man wants to become a priest and is willing to take that vow, I don't see anything wrong with it. I believe that it should be up to the individual to determine whether God is calling him to a life of celibacy--whether, as Paul put it, he would burn with passion if he remained unmarried or whether he would be unable to handle his divided interests if he married.

 

[ebia]

In my denomination, we have kind of the opposite situation to that of the Catholic and Orthodox churches as far as marriage of clergy. Theology students who are about to graduate and are looking for jobs are often overlooked if they are not married. I'm not sure why; perhaps those who do the hiring are concerned about possible inapropriate relationships with church members.

Or they are expecting the minister's spouse to also put in lot of unpaid work and like to get 'two for the price of one'.

 

[Sophia7]

Or they are expecting the minister's spouse to also put in lot of unpaid work and like to get 'two for the price of one'.

Maybe so. That does happen sometimes.

 

[moicherie]

Has anyone mentioned Jesus healed Peters mother in law, to have one of those marriage enters the equation.

 

[moicherie]

Interestingly, the person who wrote this strongly advocated for celibacy.

1 Cor 7:8, "To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain single as I do."

He gave his opinion based on the fact the church was under severe persecution at the time it was probably sensible advice. If he thought the letter on the subject would be used 2000 years later to promote a celibate priesthood amongst a very affluent annd mainstream religion - Christiandom methinks it would read very differently.

 

[lismore]

Has anyone mentioned Jesus healed Peters mother in law, to have one of those marriage enters the equation.

yes moicherie. Paul writes later in Corinthians that peter had a wife at that time.

It seems to be a big issue, dont really know why? Is it something to do with claims of Peter being the first pope?

 

[moicherie]

yes moicherie. Paul writes later in Corinthians that peter had a wife at that time.

It seems to be a big issue, dont really know why? Is it something to do with claims of Peter being the first pope?

Well the OP question has been answered Peter was married just like any old good Jewish boy, does that mean the topic is now dead and buried?

 

[Tonks]

Well the OP question has been answered Peter was married just like any old good Jewish boy, does that mean the topic is now dead and buried?

Pretty much. Catholics and Protestants agree that at one point he was married. However, no discussion in GT is complete without a debate about why Catholics do the things they way they do.