Celibacy is the state of abstaining from marriage and sexual relations. It is a calling that some Christians feel led towards in order to devote themselves fully to God and ministry. The Bible has a number of passages that mention celibacy and singleness. Here is an overview of some of the key Bible verses about celibacy:
1 Corinthians 7:1-9 – Paul’s teaching on celibacy
The most well-known passage on celibacy is found in 1 Corinthians 7. The apostle Paul responds to questions from the Corinthian church about whether it is better to marry or remain single/celibate. Paul emphasizes that both marriage and singleness are gifts from God, and people have different callings. He sees value in celibacy, as it allows one to be less distracted from focus on God and ministry. However, he also recognizes marriage is honorable. Paul notes that not everyone has the gift of celibacy, and it is better to marry than to burn with passion (v.9).
Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband…I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. (1 Corinthians 7:1-2, 7-9)
Matthew 19:10-12 – Jesus speaks on celibacy
In this passage, Jesus’ disciples remark that it seems better not to marry if divorce is prohibited. Jesus acknowledges that some choose celibacy for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He indicates that celibacy is a special gift from God, not something everyone can accept. But it allows for undistracted devotion to God.
The disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.” (Matthew 19:10-12)
1 Corinthians 7:25-35 – The benefits of celibacy
In this passage, Paul advocates for celibacy, noting that it allows one to be devoted to the Lord without distraction. He indicates that married persons are concerned about pleasing their spouse, while the unmarried can be single-minded in pleasing the Lord.
Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is…the unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. (1 Corinthians 7:25-28, 32-34)
1 Corinthians 7:32-35 – Celibacy allows greater devotion
Paul advocates celibacy again in this passage, stating that unmarried persons are able to devote themselves fully to the Lord in both body and spirit.
I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord. (1 Corinthians 7:32-35)
1 Timothy 4:1-5 – Celibacy and asceticism addressed
Paul warns Timothy against false teachers who were promoting extreme asceticism and forbidding marriage. He affirms that both marriage and celibacy can be received with thanksgiving.
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4:1-5)
1 Corinthians 7:39-40 – Celibacy after spousal loss
Paul states that a widow is free to marry or remain celibate after the death of her husband. He sees value in remaining celibate to serve the Lord without distraction.
A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God. (1 Corinthians 7:39-40)
Revelation 14:4 – Special honor for celibacy
This passage describes the 144,000 redeemed servants of God who “have not defiled themselves with women.” This indicates they were celibate. Their celibacy is symbolic of special spiritual devotion and sacrificial service.
It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless. (Revelation 14:4-5)
1 Corinthians 9:5 – Celibate ministry
Paul notes that he and Barnabas gave up the right to take along a believing wife for their ministry travels. This perhaps indicates their embrace of celibacy to allow greater focus in ministry.
Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? (1 Corinthians 9:5)
Matthew 22:30 – No marriage in the resurrection
Jesus teaches that there will be no marriage in the resurrection life to come. All believers will then experience a state of celibacy.
For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. (Matthew 22:30)
1 Kings 19:19-21 – The celibate prophets
The prophets Elijah and Elisha seemed to embrace a celibate lifestyle, allowing greater focus on their prophetic ministries. Elisha even burned his plow as a sign of leaving his former occupation to follow Elijah.
So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him. (1 Kings 19:19-21)
Jeremiah 16:1-4 – Jeremiah called to celibate prophetic ministry
God calls the prophet Jeremiah to avoid marriage and family life, as a sign of the coming destruction and barrenness of the land. His celibacy is tied to his prophetic calling.
The word of the Lord came to me: “You shall not take a wife, nor shall you have sons or daughters in this place. For thus says the Lord concerning the sons and daughters who are born in this place, and concerning the mothers who bore them and the fathers who fathered them in this land: They shall die of deadly diseases. They shall not be lamented, nor shall they be buried. They shall be as dung on the surface of the ground. They shall perish by the sword and by famine, and their dead bodies shall be food for the birds of the air and for the beasts of the earth.” (Jeremiah 16:1-4)
1 Corinthians 7:6-8 – Celibacy as a concession, not command
Paul notes that his advocacy for celibacy is a concession, not a command. He recognizes that celibacy is a gift not given to everyone. Married life is honorable as well.
Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. (1 Corinthians 7:6-8)
Matthew 19:11-12 – Celibacy must be chosen voluntarily
Jesus indicates that the choice to remain celibate must be made voluntarily. It is not something that should be forced or commanded.
But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.” (Matthew 19:11-12)
1 Timothy 5:11-15 – Widows encouraged to remarry
Contrary to requiring celibacy, Paul encourages younger widows to remarry to avoid idleness and inappropriate behavior that could bring discredit.
But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. For some have already strayed after Satan. (1 Timothy 5:11-15)
Summary
In summary, the Bible presents both celibacy and marriage as good gifts from God. Celibacy is not commanded or required, but for those who have the gift, it allows greater devotion and service to God and his kingdom without distraction. Paul sees value in celibacy but recognizes marriage is honorable and necessary for those without the gift of celibacy. Ultimate celibacy will be experienced by all believers in the resurrection. While marriage is the norm, celibacy can be received as a special calling, when chosen voluntarily out of a desire to honor God.