Celibacy is a lifestyle choice often linked to religious vows and spiritual discipline. The Bible provides various references and insights on celibacy, offering guidance to those seeking a deeper understanding of this path.
What is Celibacy According to the Bible?
Celibacy is a state of being unmarried and abstaining from sexual relations as a form of religious devotion. As per the Bible, celibacy is viewed as a commitment to leading a pure life, totally dedicated to the service of God. It is neither mandatory nor is it considered superior to married life. Instead, the Bible poses celibacy as a personal calling, a way for some individuals to devote themselves to God without distraction. This voluntary choice depends heavily on a person’s spiritual discernment, gift, and calling.
Who Advocates for Celibacy in the Bible?
Jesus Christ and Apostle Paul are two key figures in the Bible who advocated celibacy, although neither claimed it as a universal requirement. Jesus acknowledged celibacy as a gift, saying not everyone can receive it. Paul, on the other hand, wrote in his letters about the advantages of celibacy. For him, being unmarried meant a life with fewer worldly concerns, making it easier to concentrate on spiritual matters. However, Paul was clear not to impose celibacy on everyone. He recognized it as a gift that some can carry out, but not something expected of every believer.
Where Does the Bible Discuss Celibacy?
Celibacy is discussed in several parts of the New Testament. In the book of Matthew, Jesus discusses eunuchs – those incapable of sexual relations, voluntarily or otherwise – and implies that some choose this path for the kingdom of heaven. In his first letter to Corinthians, Paul extensively discusses celibacy. Amid advising the Corinthians about marriage, he expressed that remaining as he (celibate) is an ideal situation, lest passions lead to immorality. However, these are choices to be made, not imposed rules.
Why is Celibacy Celebrated in the Bible?
Celibacy is celebrated in the Bible for the discipline and devotion it portrays. The Bible does not elevate celibacy over marriage or vice versa but presents celibacy as a different path of serving God. Celibacy is about more than just abstaining from marriage or sexual relations. It is about surrendering earthly desires and concerns to serve God with undivided attention. Consequently, it is not perceived as a superior or inferior path but a different calling to serve God with undivided devotion.
When Should One Decide on Celibacy According to the Bible?
According to the Bible, the decision to embrace celibacy should stem from personal conviction and spiritual discernment. It should not be due to cultural, religious, or societal pressures. The Bible fosters the idea of free will, and believers are advised to choose celibacy only if they possess the gift and calling for it. The Bible neither prescribes nor prohibits celibacy. It is a path of service to God that some may choose, but not a requirement for all believers.
Below is our full list of bible verses on celibacy (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Celibacy
1 Corinthians 7:32-40
“32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.37 Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.38 So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.”
Related Themes: Dating
1 Corinthians 7:7-9
“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.9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.”
Related Themes: Chastity
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
“18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
1 Corinthians 7:2
“2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.”
Related Themes: Dating Adultery Marriage Lust Abstinence
1 Timothy 3:2
“2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;”
Related Themes: Strangers Reputation Arguing Reputation Marriage
Matthew 19:10-12
“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.”
1 Corinthians 7:26
“26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.”
1 Timothy 4:1-3
“1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.”
Related Themes: Discernment Manipulation Apostasy Holy Spirit Atheism
1 Corinthians 6:9
“9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Lust Abomination
1 Corinthians 10:13
“13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
Related Themes: Lust Self-Control Addiction Strength Temptation
1 Corinthians 9:5
“5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?”
Related Themes: Omnipotence Marriage
Matthew 19:12
“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.”
Revelation 14:1-5
“1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.”
1 Corinthians 7:1
“1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.”
1 Corinthians 7:7
“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.”
Related Themes: Chastity
Matthew 19:10
“10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.”
Matthew 19:11-12
“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.”
Genesis 1:28
“28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”
Related Themes: Earth Children Stewardship Creativity Dominion
1 Timothy 4:3
“3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.”
1 Timothy 1:9-10
“9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;”
Related Themes: Holiness
1 Corinthians 7:25
“25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.”
Related Themes: Trespassing
Romans 12:2
“2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Related Themes: Complaining Lust Creativity Attitude Business
1 Corinthians 7:32
“32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:”
Related Themes: Dating
Hebrews 13:4
“4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”
1 Timothy 4:1
“1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”
Related Themes: Discernment Manipulation Apostasy Holy Spirit Atheism
Leviticus 20:13
“13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.”
Related Themes: Criticism Impurity Lust Morality Reputation
Matthew 19:9-12
“9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.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.”
Titus 1:6
“6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.”
Related Themes: Voting
Revelation 14:4
“4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.”
Related Themes: Virginity
1 Corinthians 7:9
“9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.”
Related Themes: Lust Self-Control Indulgence Marriage Self Destruction
