Thread

I think it is important to ground the discussion in what Scripture actually requires. Celibacy is never commanded as a mandate for any office in the church. Elders, overseers, and deacons are consistently described as husbands of one wife, managing their households well. Singleness is honoured as a gift, but Scripture treats it as a personal calling, not a qualification. Paul presents celibacy as optional and explicitly tied to individual circumstance and conviction, not institutional expectation. The moment we start adding requirements or social pressure for celibacy, we drift toward imposing burdens Scripture never places on people. If someone chooses singleness for the sake of ministry, that is admirable. If someone pursues marriage, that is also honourable. Both are valid biblical vocations. The church should make room for both without implying that one is spiritually superior or that individuals must “signal” their choice through a formal role.