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Topics — pvj-16: Paul's Celibacy Preference vs Jesus on Marriage

CELIBACY (score: 0.71)

General scriptures concerning: MAT 19:10-12; 1CO 7:1,2,7-9,25,26,32-40; 9:5; 1TI 4:1-3; REV 14:1-5

MARRIAGE (score: 0.58)

  • Consanguinous marriages (Abraham/Sarah, Isaac/Rebekah, Jacob and wives)
  • Levirate marriage (brother required to marry brother's widow): GEN 38:8,11; DEU 25:5-10; RUT 4:5; MAT 22:24; MRK 12:19-23; LUK 20:28
  • Parents contract for children
  • Jesus present at wedding: JHN 2:1-5
  • Celibacy deplored: JDG 11:38; ISA 4:1; JER 16:9
  • Celibacy advised: 1CO 7:7,8,24-40
  • Obligations under marriage inferior to duty to God: DEU 13:6-10; MAT 19:29; LUK 14:26
  • Not binding after death: MAT 22:29,30; MRK 12:24,25
  • Unclassified scriptures: GEN 2:23,24; MAT 5:31,32; MRK 6:17,18; 10:2-12; MAT 19:2-9; LUK 16:18; ROM 7:1-3; 1CO 6:16; 7:1-40; 9:5; 11:11,12; 1TI 3:2,12; 4:1,3; 5:14; HEB 13:4
  • Figurative: ISA 54:5; EPH 5:30-32; REV 19:7-9

VIRGINITY (score: 0.44)

See VIRGIN topic. Key references for this study: 1CO 7:25-38.

POLYGAMY (score: 0.42)

  • Forbidden: DEU 17:17; MAL 2:14,15; MAT 19:4,5; MRK 10:2-8; 1TI 3:2,12

Key Observations from Topics

  1. Nave's lists CELIBACY as a distinct topic with scripture references from BOTH Jesus (Mat 19:10-12) and Paul (1 Cor 7). This indicates both authors address the topic.

  2. The MARRIAGE topic notes celibacy as both "deplored" (OT references) and "advised" (1 Cor 7 reference), showing the topic has complexity within Scripture.

  3. The MARRIAGE topic explicitly notes "Obligations under, inferior to duty to God" — both Jesus (Mat 19:29) and Paul address marriage's place relative to kingdom service.

  4. 1 Timothy 4:1-3 appears under BOTH the CELIBACY and MARRIAGE topics — Paul calls "forbidding to marry" a doctrine of devils.