Joe wrote:What is Christ talking about in Matthew 19:12.
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.
It is a difficult thing for a man not to marry when he has the opportunity, as Paul explains in 1 Corinthians chapter 7, in a different context. "8 But I say to those unmarried and to those widowed, well for them it is if perhaps they should remain even as I. 9 But if they have no self control, they must marry, for it is better to be married than to be inflamed.... 25 Now concerning virgins, a commandment of the Prince I do not have, but I give an opinion, as one having received mercy from the Prince to be trustworthy. 26 Really then I suppose that to be such is good, because of the present violence, that it is well for a man to be so. 27 Have you been bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Have you been released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if then you should be married, you have not erred; And if perhaps the virgin should be married, she has not erred; but such as these will have anxiety in the flesh, and for my part, of you I am merciful.... 36 But if one does consider to be unseemly towards his virgin, if perhaps he is beyond adolescence, (and in this way he ought to be,) that which he wishes he must do, he does not err: they must marry. 37 But he who has stood firm, steadfast in his heart, not holding forcibly but who has authority over his own will, and he has decided in his heart to keep himself a virgin, he does well; 38 and therefore he that is giving himself to a virgin in marriage will do well, but he not giving in marriage will do better. "
If you marry a woman who has been put away for reason of fornication, you make yourself a partner in her fornication. That is how I would read verse 9, since Christ is telling us that the only legitimate reason to put away a spouse is for fornication. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 6:16 "Or do you not know that he joining himself to the harlot is one body?"
Christ gave the instruction concerning men who make themselves eunuchs which you have cited from Matthew 19:12 to his disciples in response to their statement that "If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry."
If you remain unmarried for the kingdom of heaven's sake you do well for the cause of God. Not only do you not sin with a harlot, but being a disciple of Christ you may better serve your calling.
Perhaps Paul answers further in 1 Corinthians 9, albeit again in a different context: "1 Am I not free? Am I not an ambassador? Have I not seen Yahshua our Prince? Are you not my work in the Prince? 2 If to others I am not an ambassador, yet at any rate to you I am; indeed the assurance of my message is you in the Prince. 3 My answer to those who examine me is this: 4 Do we not have license to eat and to drink? 5 Do we not have license to always have with us a kinswoman: a wife, as also the other ambassadors, and the brethren of the Prince, and Kephas? ... 12 ... Rather we have not used this authority, but we cover all ourselves, in order that we should not give any hindrance to the good message of the Anointed." Here Paul is explained that he did not take a wife, so that he would not be burdened nor would he burden the assemblies in his mission to spread the gospel of Christ, thereby better serving the people of Yahweh.
Hope this helps
