Does the Bible call Christians to celibacy?

[BeHereNow]

Does the Bible call Christians to be fruitful and multiply, or to prefer the celibate life?

The Bible calls Christians to celibacy.
This is not to say it commands them to be celibate.
Rather, Paul tells us, with God’s permission, that those who are unmarried, will be happier, and better Christians.
Christians are invited to be celibate. It is one of the recommended courses of conduct, over marriage.

[1 Cor. 3:6] But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.
[BHN: Paul tells us that what follows is true, but not a commandment. He has not been commanded to tell us these things, but has been given permission. Some things Paul was commanded to tell us. He could not disobey God. Some things he received no commandment, but he went to the Lord and received permission to tell us certain other things. If these things were imperatives, God would have commanded it. It would seem that these are thoughts or instructions that have God’s stamp of approval, but which originate with Paul. God has chosen Paul to share additional instructions, as his representative on earth. Now it seems this is a curious thing if God means them to have the authority of commandments. In that case, Paul would not preface his comments with “I speak this by permission, and not commandment.” Paul is careful to let us know when commandments are issued, and what are merely his suggestions, which he humbly concedes are divinely inspired. We do not need to doubt that they are true to God’s intentions. We are invited to follow them, but not commanded.
The Bible offers many invitations to Christians. Invitations can be accepted, or declined.
Commandments are orders to be followed and obeyed, and can not be declined.
When Paul tells us that these are divine suggestions, but not commandments, he is telling us they are invitations.
It is his wish and God’s wish that we accept the invitation, but a gracious Lord understands when a faithful servant has other obligations, possibly accepting another invitation, of equal importance.]

[7] For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
[8] I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
[BHN: Paul would have all men (and women by other passages), be as he himself was, an unmarried person. It is good for single persons to remain unmarried.]

[9] But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
[BHN: If the trouble of the flesh (see 1 Cor. 7:28, below) comes to them as unmarried persons, they should get married. Given the choice between marriage or burning in hell for adultery, choose marriage.]

[10] And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
[BHN: Paul has given his suggestions for the unmarrieds. Now his advice for the marrieds. This time it is a commandment, not just from him, but from the Lord. The commandment is that a wife must not depart from her husband.]

[11] But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
[BHN: But if she does depart from him, she must remain unmarried, or be reconciled to him, go back to him.]

[12] But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
[13] And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
[14] For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
[BHN: Christians should not divorce unbeliever if the unbeliever wants to remain married.]
[15] But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
[BHN: Now this says if the unbeliever wants to leave, let them leave. It does not say the Christian can remarry.]

[16] For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
[BHN: There is no guarantee that if you remain married to an unbeliever, they will become a believer.]

[17] But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
[BHN: The Lord calls the married and the unmarried to follow him.]


~ ~ ~
[1 Cor 7: 20-40] Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
[21] Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
[22] For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
[23] Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
[24] Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
[BHN: whatever your lot in life, live it with god. If you are servant to a master, know that Christ is your real master, and what you do honors him. If you are a master, know that you are a servant of Christ, and called upon to follow him. You must do as he does, and treat your fellow man accordingly.]

[25] Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
[BHN: Paul has been asked some question about the conduct of virgins. What follows is not a commandment from Jesus, but does represent the opinion of Paul, whom he modestly describes as one having received the blessings of God for being faithful. He modestly tells us that he has it on good authority, that what follows, represents the thoughts of Jesus.]

[26] I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.
[27] Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
[BHN: Men should stay as they are, concerning marriage. If they are married, they should try to remain so. If they are single (for whatever reason), they should remain single. ]

[28] But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
[BHN: If you get married, that’s okay. Jesus understands. But remember, the ones who get married will have, not spiritual problems, but trouble in the flesh. Problems in the carnal world. The lifestyle of being married is an invitation to trouble in the flesh. Paul would like to spare us of that risky behavior, and recommends that we all stay single. We might well suppose that this “trouble in the flesh” is of a sexual nature. Lasciviousness and such. There is no proof for this interpretation, but I think it reasonable. If it does not mean this, I would think it means the materialism associated with a married life. The nice house, furnishings, fancy clothing. The single person is more likely to be free of these fleshly needs.]

[29] But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
[30] And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
[31] And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
[BHN: Life on this earth is short. In the next life all will be equal, so your lot in life, whether servant or master, single or married, in the end does not matter.]

[32] But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
[BHN: Single people care about the things of Jesus, and how to please Jesus.]
[33] But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
[34] There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
[35] And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
[36] But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.
[37] Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
[BHN: If a man can remain true to his heart, true to the invitation of God, and not succumb to the troubles of the flesh, and remain unmarried and not an adulterer, he does well.]

[38] So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.
[BHN: A married man does well, but un unmarried man does better.]

[39] The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
[BHN: Only widows may remarry.]

[40] But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
[BHN: But a woman will be happier if she remains unmarried, like Paul, who has the spirit of God.]

[jerickson314]

Does the Bible call Christians to be fruitful and multiply, or to prefer the celibate life?

Quite simple. It calls early Old Testament humans to be fruitful and multiply.

It says that New Testament and beyond Christians should ideally prefer the celibate life.

The whole idea of "be fruitful and multiply" was to get the human population started. Not an issue any more.

[McCulloch]

In 1 Corinthians

But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

Clearly, Paul was expecting Jesus prophesy of the return coming within their lifetime to be fulfilled.

[BeHereNow]

jerickson314: It says that New Testament and beyond Christians should ideally prefer the celibate life.

I do not know about you, but I have never heard a preacher speak on the wonderful merits of remaining celibate. If this is the ideal, shouldn’t it be promoted even just a little?

McCulloch: Clearly, Paul was expecting Jesus prophesy of the return coming within their lifetime to be fulfilled.

And so it has been with every generation. The signs are always here.
Large groups of every generation know the second coming or rapture is due becuse the infallible word of God tells them so.

[perplexed101]

McCulloch: Clearly, Paul was expecting Jesus prophesy of the return coming within their lifetime to be fulfilled.

And so it has been with every generation. The signs are always here.
Large groups of every generation know the second coming or rapture is due becuse the infallible word of God tells them so.

perhaps its not that they actually expected it to happen but rather fulfilling a duty to pass on the message. The jews believe in a great day of wrath while in the NT Jesus added His second coming to happen before that event takes place.

as far the topic is concerned, i believe polarizing celebacy as being the accurate depiction of the biblical intention is false. It is easier for a single person than a married person for their attention is not divided but nevertheless the helpful marriage outweighs than just to be fruitful and multiply.

[BeHereNow]

perhaps its not that they actually expected it to happen but rather fulfilling a duty to pass on the message.

I think you are underestimating the power of belief.
The most common expression of this teaching is simply that “it will happen in my lifetime”. This is believed steadfast. In the more extreme cases congregations have sold everything and severed all family ties, knowing in their hearts not only the day, but the hour as well.

as far the topic is concerned, i believe polarizing celebacy as being the accurate depiction of the biblical intention is false. It is easier for a single person than a married person for their attention is not divided but nevertheless the helpful marriage outweighs than just to be fruitful and multiply.

Many Biblical truths are polarizing, yet they remain Biblical truths.
Is it you feel my depiction is false, or the Biblical teaching is false?

[perplexed101]

I think you are underestimating the power of belief.
The most common expression of this teaching is simply that “it will happen in my lifetime”. This is believed steadfast. In the more extreme cases congregations have sold everything and severed all family ties, knowing in their hearts not only the day, but the hour as well.

i think you are underestimating that events arent suppose to happen on a time line that matches with God's time, apparently there is someone or something that must take place in a major way.
the same way was said for when He was to be born, every jew expected that event to happen within their lifetime and this going way back in the very earliest parts of the given hebrew history.

Many Biblical truths are polarizing, yet they remain Biblical truths.
Is it you feel my depiction is false, or the Biblical teaching is false

i have read the passages pertaining to marrage and being single but neither is being stressed as being the necessity over the other. Show me a passage that depict what you are stressing and i'll show you that its not stressing that at all.

[BeHereNow]

perplexed101: Show me a passage that depict what you are stressing and i'll show you that its not stressing that at all.

I thought I did this acceptably in my OP (original post).
Are you saying there is nothing there worthy of a response?

[perplexed101]

the following is my point exactly:

1 Cor. 3:6] But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.

Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Eph 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
Eph 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Eph 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

[BeHereNow]

You have shown me passages to show how things should be if one makes the less desirable choice to marry to avoid burning with lust. Paul certainly allows for that.
Nothing you have provided shows that I am misreading Paul’s advice. Nothing refutes my claim that the Bible recommends that we remain celibate.
It may be helpful if you explain what the verses mean to you, rather than simply quoting them. Or is it that you think all persons take the same meaning from each verse?