Another Practical Guide to the Logic, Philosophy, and Thoughts of Christianity

Section 1 - Article 1

It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid

fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her

own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and

likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own

body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his

own body, but the wife.

The above passage speaks about the original plan of oneness for the

married couple. After the Fall, polygamy became a practice for some of the

Patriarchs, most notably, King Solomon, who despite his wisdom, decided to

have harems and eventually fell from his role as a God-guided King for the

many foreign concubines and worship to their gods.

Before we dwell deeper into the topic, the first verse has to be taken in

context with other parts of the Scripture, both in quoting the Lord Jesus, and

also in other Pauline writings. It is by no means to be used for imposing

celibacy.

1Timothy 4:1-3: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times

some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and

doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience

seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain

from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of

them which believe and know the truth.

Imposed celibacy is a doctrine of the devil. Together with 1 Corinthians 7:2, the union of man and woman is to be acted upon if there is temptation for fornication by either party. And so how is it for anyone to be or not be married under biblical advice and guidelines? Let us continue and look at a few verses in context.

Matthew 19:9-12: And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife,

except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery:

and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. His

disciples say unto him, if the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not

good to marry. But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying,

save they to whom it is given. For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

Celibacy is a gift, and quoting the Lord Jesus, not all men are meant to

be celibate, and it is a gift to a few to whom it is given. Everything,

including the inability to have children has its ordained purpose in the

kingdom of heaven.

But why? Why is it good for a man not to marry? For this, I will need

to slightly re-order 1 Corinthians 7, but I should do so in context.

1Corinthians 7:32-35: But I would have you without carefulness. He that is