The Bible presents various teachings regarding priests, celibacy, and the commitment to serving God. While marriage is a blessing, some scriptures highlight the idea of priests dedicating their lives wholly to God, free from worldly attachments. This article explores biblical perspectives on priests not marrying, with supporting verses.
Also Read: Bible Verses About To Honor Pastors
Dedication to the Lord Requires Undivided Devotion
Throughout Scripture, spiritual leaders are often called to a higher standard of devotion. The Apostle Paul and Jesus both emphasized the value of undistracted service to God. By choosing not to marry, priests can focus entirely on their spiritual duties without divided loyalties. Celibacy is presented as a way to serve God wholeheartedly, dedicating one’s life fully to ministry and worship.
1 Corinthians 7:32-33
“I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife.”
Matthew 19:12
“Some are born as eunuchs, some have been made eunuchs by others, and some choose not to marry for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. Let anyone accept this who can.”
2 Timothy 2:4
“Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.”
Luke 14:26
“If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.”
Revelation 14:4
“They have kept themselves as pure as virgins, following the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been purchased from among the people on the earth as a special offering to God and to the Lamb.”
Jesus and the Apostles Modeled a Life of Celibacy
Jesus Christ, the High Priest, remained unmarried, dedicating His life entirely to God’s mission. Many of His apostles also followed this path, prioritizing the spread of the Gospel over personal relationships. Their example serves as a model for those who seek to devote their entire lives to ministry.
Matthew 8:20
“But Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.'”
1 Corinthians 9:5
“Don’t we have the right to bring a believing wife with us as the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers do, and as Peter does?”
Luke 9:23
“Then he said to the crowd, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.'”
Mark 10:28-30
“Then Peter began to speak up. ‘We’ve given up everything to follow you,’ he said. ‘Yes,’ Jesus replied, ‘and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.'”
Philippians 3:8
“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.”
Singleness as a Gift for Ministry
The Bible acknowledges that singleness can be a special calling and gift from God. While marriage is a blessing, some are called to remain unmarried to focus on serving God more effectively. This calling allows priests and other ministers to dedicate themselves fully to the work of the Lord without the responsibilities that come with family life.
1 Corinthians 7:7
“But I wish everyone were single, just as I am. Yet each person has a special gift from God, of one kind or another.”
1 Corinthians 7:35
“I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.”
Matthew 22:30
“For when the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. In this respect they will be like the angels in heaven.”
Jeremiah 16:2
“He gave me this message: ‘Do not get married or have children in this place.'”
Isaiah 56:4-5
“For this is what the Lord says: I will bless those eunuchs who keep my Sabbath days holy and who choose to do what pleases me and commit their lives to me. I will give them—within the walls of my house—a memorial and a name far greater than sons and daughters could give. For the name I give them is an everlasting one. It will never disappear!”
Also Read: Bible Verses For Missionaries
Worldly Concerns Can Distract from God’s Work
Marriage brings responsibilities that can take time and attention away from ministry. The Bible warns about the cares of this world, which can hinder one’s spiritual focus. For priests, remaining unmarried can be a way to avoid these distractions and prioritize God’s kingdom.
Mark 4:19
“But all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.”
Luke 10:41-42
“But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.'”
1 Corinthians 7:29-31
“But let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short. So from now on, those with wives should not focus only on their marriage. Those who weep or who rejoice or who buy things should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy or their possessions. Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away.”
Luke 21:34
“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware.”
Matthew 6:33
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Those Set Apart for God Are Called to Holiness
Priests and those dedicated to God’s service are often called to a higher standard of holiness. In the Old Testament, the Levitical priests had strict regulations, and in the New Testament, spiritual leaders were encouraged to pursue purity and devotion. Remaining unmarried can be a reflection of this consecration.
Leviticus 21:6
“They must be set apart as holy to their God and must never bring shame on the name of God. They must be holy because they are the ones who present the special gifts to the Lord, gifts of food for their God.”
1 Peter 1:15-16
“But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, ‘You must be holy because I am holy.'”
Romans 12:1
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”
2 Corinthians 6:17
“Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.”
Hebrews 12:14
“Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.”
Devotion to God Is More Important Than Earthly Relationships
The Bible consistently teaches that our relationship with God should come before all else. While marriage is honorable, devotion to God is even more crucial. Priests who choose not to marry demonstrate their commitment by prioritizing their relationship with the Lord above all earthly ties.
Matthew 10:37
“If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.”
Psalm 73:25
“Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.”
Luke 18:29-30
“Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come.”
Colossians 3:2
“Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.”
Deuteronomy 6:5
“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.”