Looking for list of NT verses supporting celibacy

[David_Eckel]

I am 46 and have never been married. A coworker was telling me today that I need to get married and start “being fruitful.” I pointed out that it may not be G-d’s Will. She replied that was only for Jesus, and the Bible says that all people must get married. I know there are several NT passages where celibacy is encouraged and lauded, but I’m hoping that someone has a list of those passages, since it would mean that I can give her the list sooner.

 

[pablope]

I am 46 and have never been married. A coworker was telling me today that I need to get married and start “being fruitful.” I pointed out that it may not be G-d’s Will. She replied that was only for Jesus, and the Bible says that all people must get married. I know there are several NT passages where celibacy is encouraged and lauded, but I’m hoping that someone has a list of those passages, since it would mean that I can give her the list sooner.

From 1Cor 7…

(Portions for brevity)

29 What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; 30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
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.

 

[KP3243]

I am 46 and have never been married. A coworker was telling me today that I need to get married and start “being fruitful.” I pointed out that it may not be G-d’s Will. She replied that was only for Jesus, and the Bible says that all people must get married. I know there are several NT passages where celibacy is encouraged and lauded, but I’m hoping that someone has a list of those passages, since it would mean that I can give her the list sooner.

I think Saint Paul talks about it.

 

[Peter_Plato]

Matthew 19:10-12

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

Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. 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.”*

 

[Nita]

Revelations 14:1 - 4 Then I looked, and lo, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder; the voice I heard was like the sound of harpers playing on their harps, and they sing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the earth. ** It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are chaste; it is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes; these have been redeemed from mankind as first fruits for God and the Lamb, **

 

[exoflare]

Is your coworker Catholic?

Also,

*1 Corinthians 7:9
But if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry, since it is better to be married than to be burnt up.

*Paul speaks of celibacy as preferable to marriage in that chapter and maybe elsewhere too, but that’s the one verse I think sums it up the best.

 

[jcrichton]

I am 46 and have never been married. A coworker was telling me today that I need to get married and start “being fruitful.” I pointed out that it may not be G-d’s Will. She replied that was only for Jesus, and the Bible says that all people must get married. I know there are several NT passages where celibacy is encouraged and lauded, but I’m hoping that someone has a list of those passages, since it would mean that I can give her the list sooner.

…actually, you don’t need a huge list, just Jesus’ Word:

10 The disciples said to him, ‘If that is how things are between husband and wife, it is advisable not to marry.’ 11 But he replied, ‘It is not everyone who can accept what I have said, but only those to whom it is granted. 12 There are eunuchs born so from their mother’s womb, there are eunuchs made so by human agency and there are eunuchs who have made themselves so for the sake of the kingdom of Heaven. Let anyone accept this who can.’ (St. Matthew 19:10-12)

…though I am not a linguist, I’m pretty sure that remaining celibate (chaste) is comparable to self-made eunuch; Jesus is saying that not evenyone is able to serve God in the Sacramante of Matrimony and that nature as well as man make some incapable of being married… and that still others have chosen to remain celibate to Serve God!

…your friend, as well-intended as she may be, has bought into hollowood’s version of happiness (sense and sensibilities); if God is calling you to a Vocation (Priesthood or Religious) or to simply serve as an unmarried man, you must listen to God not society’s expectations (something that none of us could ever fulfill–“can’t please everyone all the time…”); I’ll pray for you… you should ask the Holy Spirit to Guide you and strengthen your resolve!

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[R_C]

So basically all of God’s ordained ministers for the past few centuries are in a state of mortal sin because they are disobeying God through their celibacy? Do you understand that this calls into question the very existence of the Church?

From which I can easily assume your co-worker is protestant

Don’t worry at all. Marriage is a vocation. Just one of many vocations. What we all should do is love God and our neighbor, because salvation is gained for us by Christ, but is attained by good works.

Ultimately, we are all married, in a mystical sense, for the Church is truly the Bride of Christ, and furthermore we are His body, for it is in the nature of matrimony that “the two spouses shall become one flesh”.