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When someone asks where everything is written in the Bible, it shows that they do not know or understand the Holy Bible and its history well. When someone insists on "show me where something is written in the Bible," it is to show that they are very knowledgeable about the Bible and have read it all, so they understand everything in the Bible, but they do not know the Bible; but are simply memorizing the Bible.!
And this issue of neglecting the issue of marriage reveals how we are a generation of fornication, as if we think that LIFE lies in having sex! No way.
Paul says "Because of fornication it is better to marry and to be given in marriage" (1 Corinthians 7:2-9) These are not just words to enjoy and laugh about; they mean "IT IS AIMING AT THOSE WHO HAVE FAILED IN WHAT IT LOVES"(1 Corinthians 7:1-8) Now we must ask ourselves, have we failed that much? That is not praise!
1 Corinthians 7:1-8
"Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman. But I say to the unmarried and the widows, it is good for them to remain as I am."
And the Apostle Paul says, "It is better to marry or to remain in marriage" but he didn't say "You MUST get married"
The issue of celibacy for priests, according to history, began very early at the beginning of the second millennium with the Second Lateran Council in 1139 so that they could serve God freely and without restrictions or hindrances.(1 Corinthians 7:32-35)
1 Corinthians 7:32-35
"But I want you to have no worries. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;33 but the married man is anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife.There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how she may be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about the things of the world, how she may please her husband., I say this for your benefit, not that I may cast a snare on you, but for the things that are pleasing, and that you may serve the Lord without distractions."
Some people think that being single is a sin, If that is the case, then even Jesus was mistaken, meaning he did not marry. Jesus himself teaches about virginity (Matthew 19: 10-12)
Matthew 19:10-12,
"His disciples said to him, If things between husband and wife are like this, it would be better for us to remain unmarried. But He told them 'NOT ALL CAN RECEIVE THE WORD, BUT ONLY THOSE TO WHOM IT IS GIVEN, For there are some who were born so from their mothers' wombs; and there are some who men made eunuchs; and there are some who have made themselves eunuchs FOR THE SAKE OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN." "He who can receive this word, let him receive it."
Jesus himself explains this matter in detail, in the list of eunuchs that Jesus mentioned, Priests are eunuchs who made themselves so for the church's service and the kingdom of God.
Again, Jesus tells us that "not all can receive this word" That is, now not everyone can become Eunuchs (Priests), but only those who have been granted that grace by God. Those who cannot live as priests marry and have families. Again, Jesus concludes by saying, "Whoever can receive this teaching, let him receive it." in other words, it means "This teaching or edict is not necessary." Those who can live that life should accept it, and those who can't, should leave it!
Likewise, the Apostles, in order to follow Jesus fully, left all they had, including their families, to serve the Lord.(Matthew 19:27-29)
Matthew 19:27-29:
"Then Peter answered and said to him, 'Behold, we have left everything and followed you,What will we get then? Truly I tell you, everyone who has left home or brothers or sisters, or father or mother or children or lands FOR MY NAME'S SAKE, will receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life." In that gospel, Jesus reveals that the one who leaves those things mentioned is not because he cannot obtain them at all, but because he has left all of them FOR THE NAME OF JESUS, he will receive much on earth and then inherit the kingdom of heaven.
The priests have left all that, they have left the house, their families and everything NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ABLE OR CANNOT ACQUIRE THOSE THINGS, but THEY HAVE LEFT THEM BECAUSE THEY WANT TO SERVE GOD ACCORDING TO THE HOLY SCRIPTURES and because of their desire to fully live the COUNSELS OF THE GOSPEL including CELIGACY.
The words of the Apostle Paul and those of Jesus himself about serving God without getting married are not accidental but are the best and most suitable way and acceptable before God. Therefore, when you see priests not getting married, know that the reason is that "They have dedicated themselves to serving the Church."
(And I am also very surprised by people who criticize priests for not getting married, I wonder if those priests have forbidden them from getting married?)..And if the answer is no, now what does "the pepper from the field that you don't eat do?"
PRAISE JESUS CHRIST!