Matt. 19:10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
12 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.
A common question people ask is what Master Y'shua (Jesus) had to say on the subject of homosexuality. As followers of the Way Y'shua the Anointed is the central authority we turn to when determining the Will of HaShem.
Christians who know that one can be both Christian and homosexual often defend their position by saying something this:
- "If homosexuality is a sin Y'shua would have told us!"
Christians who believe that homosexuality in any form is a sin usually say something like this:
- "If homosexuality wasn't a sin Y'shua would have said so!"
Both positions sound reasonable but both are based on silence.
The fact that Y'shua never mentioned something doesn't mean it is or is not biblically acceptable.
The fact is, as far as anyone knows, Y'shua never commented on homosexuality either way.
This is to be expected because in the first century world in which he lived it was a non-issue. What we today call homosexuality was merely part of the fabric of sexual practice in his day.
Y'shua did make an interesting point regarding eunuchs however:
Matt. 19:10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
12 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.
There are lots of people who believe this instruction is a reference to homosexual men (mainly because of the line: "For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb"). The argument being that as a fetus obviously cannot be castrated, either literally or figuratively, the reference must be to something else. The obvious one, this view holds, is natural homosexuality.
This interpretation holds that this supports not only that Master Y'shua accepted homosexuality as normal social behavior, but also that some people are born that way (as their natural sexual orientation).
Personally, I don't believe this verse is speaking of homosexuality but of celibacy and eunuchs (both castrato and castrata).
First, the context in which this teaching appears does not support this interpretation as a reference to homosexuality in my opinion.
This interpretation would mean these people were saying, "Since the marriage laws are so strict maybe it would be better to just be gay." It seems very unlikely to me that they meant this.
It would also devalue same gender relationships by categorizing them as inferior to opposite gender marriages. It would say in effect that GLBT relationships demand/deserve less sanctity than heterosexual marriage vows.
In my opinion therefore interpreting verse as a reference to homosexuality would establish the only teaching in the Bible negative towards homosexuyality and that teaching would have come from the Master himself.
For some people celibacy is a VERY difficult thing. The idea going a few weeks of a month without sex would be like going without food and water. For others sex has never been a big deal and the idea of living as a celibate in order to do missionary work -- which is the context here -- would be no big deal.
I think the phrase is mainly used here as a figure of speech. Many Christians, especially those in the ministry, live a celibates -- both LGBT AND heterosexual Believers.
This is however a useful counter position to the argument that that unless one marries (an opposite gendered person) one is not in God's will or design. This view points to verses like Titus 1:6 as evidence that in order to be in the ministry one must "be the husband of one wife."
Here Y'shua clearly says that there are those who renounce their sexuality and dedicate themselves body, soul and mind to God and that this is a good thing if they can handle it. This by the way is part of how the Catholic Church supports the idea of a celibate priesthood; personally I think they take this idea a bit too far, its a noble option, a personal choice, but not a requirement.
And Paul goes even further with this idea:
I Corinthians 7:7 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 [i.e. celibate and single]. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn" [i.e. in their passions]
Paul renounced married life after accepting his calling as an apostle of Master Y'shua. He lived as a celibate missionary for many years. What happened to his wife is unknown: he may have been a widower, she may have left him when he embraced the Master, we are not told.
The celibate lifestyle -- in which one lives fully in and for the service of the Master at all times without the distractions of a spouse and children -- Paul believed, is best. He also understood the power of human sexuality however and acknowledged that it is better to 'marry than to burn' in ones sexual needs. The celibate life is not suitable for everyone but works wonderfully for others. Those with strong sex drives should not become "eunuchs for the kingdom." For them it would be a constant distraction and lead to the types of abuses that all too often occur among Catholic priests.
God accepts everyone who comes in faith.
Regardless of sexual orientation or other considerations.
Wont you come?
Regardless of sexual orientation or other considerations.
Wont you come?
Still have doubts or questions? Let me know! I'm here to help.
The Grace Inclusive Christian Prayer And/Or Bible and Homosexuality (and discussion) groups
The Grace Inclusive Christian Prayer And/Or Bible and Homosexuality (and discussion) groups
Who cares, I'm glad YOU'RE here!
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