I came across this strange verse in Matthew 19:11-12

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.


Break up :
1. Some eunuchs are born that way.
2. Some are made that way.
3. Some made themselves that way for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.

Now, nowhere in the bible do we ever read of followers of Christ making themselves eunuchs for the sake of kingdom of heaven. So I guess we can assume that the third group of Eunuchs only lived as eunuchs in the sense they refrained from sexual activity with women.

Some translations of the verse in question teaches that the they...

....have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven.
(New International Version)

....some choose not to marry for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven.
(New Living Translation)

...are celibate because they have made themselves that way for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.
(International Standard Version)

Basically steering away from the idea that the third group of eunuchs literally became eunuchs. (ouch)
I personally am more inclined to believe that they only became as eunuchs by refraining from sexual activity with women, for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.

Later on in revelations we read the 144,000 who are described as being extremely righteous and virgins by not having had sex with women.Could it be that this extreme group of people who "became as eunuchs" were part of the 144,000.

Discuss.
Please keep it civil.

I always thought a eunuch referred to the servants of old who had their manhood removed so they could mingle with the kinds concubines, being that the kings of old like their women only for themselves.

People practised asceticism in more extreme ways in ancient times. Today this verse would be interpreted as "virgin" or "celibate" rather than "balls cut off."

It's pretty amusing if you take all of this literally: it went from "Be fruitful and multiply." to "Cut off your balls Heaven's sake!"



Okay I'm done talking about castration, the brutality of it reminds me of female circumcision.

Originally posted by sk0rpi0n
Basically steering away from the idea that the third group of eunuchs literally became eunuchs. (ouch)
I personally am more inclined to believe that they only became as eunuchs by refraining from sexual activity with women, for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.

Which do you think is more difficult, to be a mental eunuch or physical eunuch?

Personally, I would think the former is more difficult. To be a physical eunuch, all desire to commit sexual sin is gone for the rest of your life!

Here are the reasons why having relationships with women is a stumbling block to spirituality:

Most often, women tend to be social conformists - in biblical terms - to conform to the image of the world which Jesus regarded as evil. Women also tend to be hell bent on self-preservation which also causes the attitude of social conforming, playing safe, whatever. They are lovers of security, whether financial or physical which Jesus teaches against!

They love stability as opposed to change. To be in a meaningful relationship with women, you'll have to bend over their rules. They take everything seriously and give much value to the things of this world, which Jesus instructed to give no value...

"Honey, Jesus said to sell our stuff that is not needed for survival and give the proceeds to the poor" And divorce is quickly in order!

"Honey, Jesus told we should pack our bags and head over to the slums in South Africa with our kids because no one is preaching the Gospel to them" They quickly head to granny's house!

"Honey, I think we should quit inviting our friends to our dinner parties and invite the poor and strangers instead as Jesus instructed" You're sleeping outside!

"Honey, we should empty our banks and give it to the poor for John the baptist commanded, if we had extras, give it to those who had none" Get out of the house right now!!

"Honey, we're moving to a smaller house in a cheaper neighborhood, we're selling our big house to give the proceeds to the poor. We don't need all these comfort when the rest of the world wallows in poverty, besides, if we find our lives, give value to it, we are not putting God first in our lives but rather in ourselves" I don't know you anymore, get out you cultist!!

You simply cannot be in a radical relationship with God if you are in a relationship with women.

I know there are women who are exceptions.... but they tend to be ugly physically!

Coincidence???

I'm not trying to make fun out of women. I'm just stating facts, real life observations and being frank about it. We need to wake up!!!!!

Beauty is of the devil!!!

Also given the teachings of Jesus and the real Christianity, only few will ever make it to salvation. Bringing children into this world is just damning souls to hell Regardless of whether you're Christian parents. the odds are all against you. Stop this madness already. Raising families is satanic concept. If your home is in heaven why put any value to perpetuating your bloodline?

I am Christian and honestly I have no clue what that means, doesn't seems important for my spiritual developement anyway.

This is not said in a defensive voice but humble.

I was a beauty in my younger days, I had turned down 4 marriage proposals before I asked my hubby to marry me on Leap Year Day.

I have given money to tramps and it was my hubby that criticised me.

I pursue truth and philosphy and love books.

I have given even when we were in serious debt. (I didn't get us in debt, it was the tax man.)

I have been a leader in my church.

On a course, my hubby was given a word, that I was a Princess warrior. I love the colour pink yet a nickname I got was 'curly burly girly', cos my body shape was an inverted V. In my twenties I had an athletic shape as I used to canoe, horseride, badminton, marshal arts, biking, archery, trampolining and others.

And I scare the **** out of men, I have no idea why, as I am a really nice person, it's just that I have a very strong will. And a lot of compassion.

I stress that I was very pretty (I have liver problems now; too much aspartame) but the looks are coming back.

You have just never met me, so you didn't know any difference.
Please don't tar us all with the same brush.

I plan to be one of the 144,000 if I am found worthy, in the next dimension, your spirit's talents and not your body's, will be the requirement. Miracles will be normal; as Jesus did but more.
Having a focused mind and a spirit right with God will be necessary.

If you take it literally, then these 144,000 will need to be able to sing. Look up Revelation 14v3.
So if you meet all the other requirements that you are suggesting, but you sing like a bulwalrus, you won't make the cut?????

I think that the eunuch idea is saying that you need to be castrated from the spritual idolatries, ie the babylonian whore. Meaning that you didn't even get aroused, even from thinking of mucking about with the Babylonian mysteries. Because Jesus said 'if you thunk it you did it'. (my paraphrase)

That's my opinion.

Originally posted by kingkool
A priest must live a life of less in order to achieve closeness to God and then en part what is learned to his congregation.

Hey if you want to see a fun movie that touches on a lot of these themes and other Zen-like themes pick up a movie starring David Carradine called "Circle of Iron".

Interesting! If living a life of less brings you closer to God then why don't the rest of those who claim to love God do the same to get closer to God if they truly love God?

Don't we do the same crazy things to get closer to other things we love? In order for me to afford that 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, I will quit fine dinings on weekends, skip afternoon meals, maybe even break up with my girlfriend

To those who are not rich as Bill Gates, we tend to sacrifice other less valuable things to get something we value higher. Do our lives prove we value God above all as a Christian? Is it just the duty of priests or to show which things we really value and love and God is at the bottom of the list.

P.S. Thanks for the movie, will look for it!

Originally posted by AriesJedi
You have just never met me, so you didn't know any difference.
Please don't tar us all with the same brush.

I plan to be one of the 144,000 if I am found worthy, in the next dimension, your spirit's talents and not your body's, will be the requirement. Miracles will be normal; as Jesus did but more.
Having a focused mind and a spirit right with God will be necessary.

No I don't. As I've said, there will be exceptions to the rule.... But honestly, they are so hard to find!! Not that I'm looking for one

I personally know a few exceptions.. But it's sad to think they are literally, one in a million. I know of one, my aunt, and now you! I tried to look for one couple of years ago. But recently decided to stop looking and remain single, don't care about perpetuating our bloodline, for this is not our home. Nothing in this world matters or has any value.

I can't even tell that to my Christian parents for that will give them great sorrow. It's sad what Christianity has turned into - a religion that values the things of this world like marriage and building a family, opposing the teachings of Jesus.