Why would St. Paul think that celibacy is holier than having a concubine or marriage? Did Jesus teach this?

Answer 1

Then your not putting anything before your relationship with God.

Answer 2

I don't know that you intended this, but the question seems tendentious. Paul did not assert that celibacy is "holier" than marriage. What he said, in 1 Corinthians 7:7 is that he would prefer that unmarried men remain unmarried (note the "I wish" which is contrasted by the "but each one has his gift from God").

If you read a little further in the context you'll find Paul explaining his reason. In v. 35 he says that the unmarried are able to "serve the Lord without distraction." He thought that in light of the "present distress" (v. 26) that it would be better for those who were contemplating vocational Christian service to remain single. And yet he recognized that those who married were fully equal in the work of the Lord (1 Co 9:5).

So Paul advocated celibacy for those whom God had called to fulltime service so that their energies and loyalties would remain undivided.

But nothing about it being "holier..." And yes, Jesus taught this in Matthew 19.12.

Answer 3

He didn't think it was holier than anything. He merely felt that a person could better serve the Lord whole-heartily if they were married. He believed that if you were married and had a family that would distract you from fully serving the Lord. But he also said that if you can't refrain from your own lustful urges then that's when you should get married.

Jesus himself did not teach this, it was Paul's own belief.
And as far as having concubines, The Word does say that a man shall have one wife and she one husband.

Answer 4

If you read that passage carefully, Paul actually indicates that what he is saying in that passage is "not from the Lord, but I speaking"; however, what he is doing is making a compelling argument for celibacy. Since we know that being single is sometimes the dispostion of some people, I believe this was put in the Bible to give comfort to those people.

Even in this context, Paul says that if a person "burns with passion", I believe the phrase is, that it is right and good to marry.

Answer 5

I think Paul let his hideous appearance affect his teachings. No, Jesus would want you to have a partner if you wanted!

Concubines are a little old-school, though. Went out with feudal system I think.

Answer 6

Paul had a real downer on sex. He singles it out as a sin worse than other sins, sometimes with sacreligious acts.

Jesus rarely mentions it but, in the sermon on the mount he says something like

You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell"

Which suggest that "looking at a woman with lust" is very bad, that adultery is not confined to have sex with someone else's wife or while one is married.

Assuming that by "having a concubine or marriage" you are talking about engaging in sex, and assuming that sex requires lust, then I think that we can read into the above words of Jesus, the statement by Paul to the effect that it would be best to be celebate.

Answer 7

Its not holier .Paul said it was good to save from troubles of the world and be to able to be completely devoted to God, yet he didn't recommend it to everyone I once went to a church where the pastor would repeat this all most every week emphasizing that God prefers you to be single .{ and I never agreed with him ] I believe it was meant to save people during the time of persecution from having extra pain and suffering due to seeing their family massacred

Allthough having a concubine is wrong. obviously lol

Answer 8

Paul knew that if one was married, his/her work for the Lord would be diminished because of the marital responsibilities to ones spouse. Jesus never said to marry or not, but the Holy Spirit is the Supreme Author of the Bible, thus Paul's words were inspired by God and Jesus was well aware of them.

Answer 9

I have respect for anyone who chooses to be single because they feel this will allow them to serve God more fully. As I am married with two children, I know that my main focus must be on being the best father and husband I can be.

That said, my relationship with my wife and children have brought me closer to God. I admire priests/nuns for their commitment, but feel they're missing out on more than just sex when they choose to be celibate.

I think Paul is clearly saying it is better to be single, but I don't think it is necessary for non literal-minded Christians to refrain from marriage!

In fact, if we need to become like children to enter the kingdom of God (like Jesus said), what better way to learn than from your own kids?

Answer 10

The first step toward truth is to know how Paul (Saul) came to be Christian, and the second step is to know how he managed to corrupt Jesus son of Mary teachings.

Answer 11

When men become priests or women become nuns, they are MARRIED to the church. It is a holy union. Just as one between man and woman. They are committed to the teachings of God and Jesus. They put those pleasures aside as not to have them interfere with their devotion to the church.