Celibacy is indeed a kingdom sacrifice, but contrary to those who teach otherwise, it is not a kingdom mandate.
As support for a mandatory celibate priesthood, some may reference 1 Corinthians 7:7 where Paul said, "I wish that everyone was as I am. But each has his own gift from God, one this way, another that." What they do not reference is 1 Corinthians 7:6 where Paul said, "I say this as a concession, not as a command."
As support for a mandatory celibate priesthood, some may reference 1 Corinthians 7:32-34 where Paul said, "And I want you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the things of the world, how to please his wife, 34 and he is divided. An unmarried woman or a virgin is concerned about the things of the Lord, to be holy both in body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the things of the world, how to please her husband." What they do not reference is 1 Corinthians 7:35 where Paul said, "I am saying this for your benefit, not to place a limitation on you, but so that without distraction you may give notable and constant service to the Lord."
As support for a mandatory celibate priesthood, some may reference 2 Timothy 2:3-4 where Paul said, "Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please the one who recruited him." What they do not reference is 1 Timothy 3:1-5 where Paul said (to the same Timothy of 2 Timothy 2:3-4), "This saying is trustworthy: “If someone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work.” 2 The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, 3 not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money. 4 He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity. 5 But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for the church of God?" Paul would also continue to qualify the office of a deacon as a "husband of one wife" (1 Timothy 3:8-13).
The spiritual truth of the matter is celibacy can be a voluntary sacrifice for the kingdom of God, but celibacy is not a kingdom mandate given by God to his church. We know some of the apostles were married (1 Corinthians 9:4), and we know intimacy between a man and a woman in a spiritually lawful marriage is not a sin (Matthew 19:7-9; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5; Hebrews 13:4). Therefore, we know that marriage is not a disqualifier when it comes to fulfilling our kingdom-wide role as priests to God through Jesus (1 Peter 2:4-10).
“Now I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another commits adultery.” 10 The disciples said to him, “If this is the case of a husband with a wife, it is better not to marry!” 11 He said to them, “Not everyone can accept this statement, except those to whom it has been given. 12 For there are some eunuchs who were that way from birth, and some who were made eunuchs by others, and some who became eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who is able to accept this should accept it.” 13 Then little children were brought to him for him to lay his hands on them and pray.” (Matthew 19:9-13)
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