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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Matthew 19:10 - 19:12
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_19:10-12
10The disciples said to Him, "If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry." 11But He said to them, "Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given 12For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it.
Mat_19:10 "disciples said. . .it is better not to marry" Jesus' statement shocked them. They had the views of their culture ingrained in their minds. So do we! Marriage is God's will for humans (this is a first class conditional sentence). It is a great blessing but also a great responsibility. In days of frequent divorces the witness of a strong, godly marriage is very powerful to a lost world.
Mat_19:10-11 Marriage is the norm (cf. Gen_1:28; Gen_9:17), but celibacy is a godly option (cf. 1Co_7:7; 1Co_7:17). A believer's prayerful desires will guide him/her in this area. If one chooses to be single, it should be for service to God (cf. 1Co_7:32).
The Jews of Jesus' day rejected singleness as a godly option. Jesus is challenging the standards of His culture in several areas.
1. the husband's total authority
2. couples should remain together and work out their problems
3. singleness is a godly option
Mat_19:12 Jesus discusses the different types of singles.
1. born that way
a. birth defect
b. personal tendency
2. forceful castration (eunuchs, i.e., Est_2:3; possibly Daniel and his friends, Act_8:27)
3. personal choice of singleness for the purpose of ministry (I do not think this demands physical castration although some early church leaders did it to themselves, i.e., Origen)
Notice how Mat_19:12 is framed
1. Mat_19:11, all men cannot be single
2. Mat_19:12 c, some me can accept this lifestyle
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS FOR Mat_19:13-15
A. Mat_19:13-15 are paralleled in Mar_10:13-31 and Luk_18:15-30.
B. The New Testament does not discuss children's spiritual relationship with God.
C. Matthew 18 does not discuss the spiritual status of children but uses them as an example for new believers.