{"id":1551,"date":"2012-10-31T21:02:55","date_gmt":"2012-10-31T15:02:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/intelligent-torvalds.74-208-171-134.plesk.page\/?p=1551"},"modified":"2024-06-27T09:37:59","modified_gmt":"2024-06-27T14:37:59","slug":"young-virginal-or-single","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/?p=1551","title":{"rendered":"Young, Virginal or Single"},"content":{"rendered":"

In Romans, Part 30<\/em><\/a> I said that sexual desire for someone other than my wife was like a distant early warning system, alerting me to which I<\/em><\/a> was asserting control.\u00a0 Things may not be so clear, however, for the young, virginal or single.\u00a0 Simply put, how does one distinguish between the sexual desire that is of the flesh and sexual desire for a spouse-to-be?<\/p>\n

Paul wrote, If anyone thinks he is acting inappropriately<\/em> (\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03bd\u03b5\u1fd6\u03bd<\/a>, a form of \u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03bd\u03ad\u03c9<\/a>) toward his virgin, if she is past the bloom of youth and it seems necessary<\/em> (\u1f40\u03c6\u03b5\u1f77\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9<\/a>, a form of \u1f40\u03c6\u03b5\u03af\u03bb\u03c9<\/a>), he should do what he wishes<\/em> (\u03b8\u1f73\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9<\/a>, a form of \u03b8\u03ad\u03bb\u03c9<\/a>); he does not sin.\u00a0 Let them marry <\/em>(\u03b3\u03b1\u03bc\u03b5\u1f77\u03c4\u03c9\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd<\/a>, a form of \u03b3\u03b1\u03bc\u03ad\u03c9<\/a>).1<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 So if a man (Paul seems to be addressing men) thinks his kissing, fondling, whatever, is inappropriate toward a virgin\u2026 \u00a0(And I wouldn\u2019t get too carried away with the technicality virgin<\/em>.) \u00a0If a man thinks his kissing, fondling, whatever is inappropriate toward a woman he has not married\u2026\u00a0 The word translated thinks he is acting inappropriately<\/em> here is the same word translated rude<\/em> in [Love] is not rude <\/em>(\u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03bd\u03b5\u1fd6<\/a>, another form of \u1f00\u03c3\u03c7\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03bd\u03ad\u03c9<\/a>), it is not self-serving<\/em>, it is not easily angered or resentful<\/em>.2<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

If she is past the bloom of youth<\/em>, in other words, she is not too young, and it seems necessary<\/em> (\u1f40\u03c6\u03b5\u1f77\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9<\/a>, a form of \u1f40\u03c6\u03b5\u03af\u03bb\u03c9<\/a>)\u2026\u00a0 I realize, on the surface of things, this reads like the man alone makes this decision.\u00a0\u00a0But here with Paul\u2019s reprise of a woman\u2019s sexual rights<\/em>, or a sexual debt<\/em> owed to the woman\u00a0(A husband should give to his wife her sexual rights<\/a> <\/em>[\u1f40\u03c6\u03b5\u03b9\u03bb\u1f74\u03bd<\/a>, a form of \u1f40\u03c6\u03b5\u03b9\u03bb\u03ae<\/a>])3<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0that superficial reading comes most profoundly into question.\u00a0 Once a woman has decided that she is owed<\/em> sexual gratification there is not much a man can do about it but marry her or drop her hard.\u00a0 I hope it is clear that the third option, to take advantage of her sexually and then drop her hard, is of the flesh.<\/p>\n

Paul made no secret of the fact that he preferred that men remain single, An unmarried<\/em> (\u1f04\u03b3\u03b1\u03bc\u03bf\u03c2<\/a>) man is concerned about the things of the Lord, how to please<\/a> the Lord. \u00a0But a married<\/em> (\u03b3\u03b1\u03bc\u1f75\u03c3\u03b1\u03c2<\/a>, another form of \u03b3\u03b1\u03bc\u03ad\u03c9<\/a>) man is concerned about the things of the world, how to please<\/a> his wife<\/em>, and he is divided<\/a><\/em>.4<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0I wish<\/em><\/a> (\u03b8\u03ad\u03bb\u03c9<\/a>) that everyone was as I am<\/em>, he wrote.\u00a0 But<\/a> each has his own gift from God, one<\/a> this way, another<\/a> that<\/em>.5<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 In the next verse of instruction to the unmarried it seems on the surface that Paul has stacked the deck in favor of remaining single, but as I examine his word choices in detail I think the opposite is actually the case, so that no one but those gifted by God to do so choose to remain single.<\/p>\n

But the man who is firm<\/em> (\u1f15\u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03ba\u03b5\u03bd<\/a>, a form of \u1f35\u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03bc\u03b9<\/a>) in his<\/a> commitment<\/em> (\u1f11\u03b4\u03c1\u03b1\u1fd6\u03bf\u03c2<\/a>), and is under<\/em> (\u1f14\u03c7\u03c9\u03bd<\/a>, a form of \u1f14\u03c7\u03c9<\/a>) no necessity<\/em> (\u1f00\u03bd\u1f71\u03b3\u03ba\u03b7\u03bd<\/a>, a form of \u1f00\u03bd\u03b1\u03b3\u03ba\u03ae<\/a>) but has<\/em> (\u1f14\u03c7\u03b5\u03b9<\/a>, another form of \u1f14\u03c7\u03c9<\/a>) control<\/em> (\u1f10\u03be\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u1f77\u03b1\u03bd<\/a>, a form of \u1f10\u03be\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03af\u03b1<\/a>) over his will<\/em> (\u03b8\u03b5\u03bb\u1f75\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2<\/a>, a form of \u03b8\u03ad\u03bb\u03b7\u03bc\u03b1<\/a>), and has decided<\/em> (\u03ba\u1f73\u03ba\u03c1\u03b9\u03ba\u03b5\u03bd<\/a>, a form of \u03ba\u03c1\u03af\u03bd\u03c9<\/a>) in his own<\/a> mind<\/em> (\u03ba\u03b1\u03c1\u03b4\u1f77\u1fb3<\/a>, a form of \u03ba\u03b1\u03c1\u03b4\u03af\u03b1<\/a>) to keep<\/em><\/a> (\u03c4\u03b7\u03c1\u03b5\u1fd6\u03bd<\/a>, a form of \u03c4\u03b7\u03c1\u03ad\u03c9<\/a>) his own virgin, does well<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>(\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u1ff6\u03c2<\/a>; literally, “beautifully<\/a>“).6<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

The phrase firm in his commitment<\/em> (to stand immovable<\/em>) is fairly clear even in English as an allusion to an erection.\u00a0 Paul wanted men to really grapple with the caliber of commitment required.\u00a0 Then, and is under<\/em> (literally, having<\/em>) no necessity<\/em>, hearkens back to verse 2, because of<\/em>\u00a0\u03c0\u03bf\u03c1\u03bd\u03b5\u1f77\u03b1\u03c2<\/a> (a form of\u00a0\u03c0\u03bf\u03c1\u03bd\u03b5\u03af\u03b1<\/a>), let each man have<\/em> (\u1f10\u03c7\u1f73\u03c4\u03c9<\/a>, another form of \u1f14\u03c7\u03c9<\/a>) his own wife<\/em>.7<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Though necessity<\/em> here might refer to a pregnancy, I\u2019m convinced that Paul would say that that man\u2019s choice to marry was already made.\u00a0 It is the same word (\u1f00\u03bd\u1f71\u03b3\u03ba\u03b7\u03bd<\/a>, a form of \u1f00\u03bd\u03b1\u03b3\u03ba\u03ae<\/a>) Paul used in verse 26, Because of the impending crisis <\/em>(\u03c4\u1f74\u03bd<\/a> \u1f10\u03bd\u03b5\u03c3\u03c4\u1ff6\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd<\/a> \u1f00\u03bd\u03ac\u03b3\u03ba\u03b7\u03bd<\/a>) I think it best for you to remain as you are<\/em>.8<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 In the NKJV the same phrase was translated the present distress<\/em>.\u00a0 The allusion now is to a painful erection.<\/p>\n

So I have a man who is 1) firm in his commitment, 2) has no necessity or distress concerning that commitment, but 3) has\u00a0control<\/em> (\u1f10\u03be\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u1f77\u03b1\u03bd<\/a>, a form of \u1f10\u03be\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03af\u03b1<\/a>) over his will<\/em> (\u03b8\u03b5\u03bb\u1f75\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2<\/a>, a form of \u03b8\u03ad\u03bb\u03b7\u03bc\u03b1<\/a>).\u00a0 This hearkens back to the \u1f10\u03be\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03b9\u1f71\u03b6\u03b5\u03b9 that the wife has over her husband\u2019s body: it is not the husband who has the rights <\/em>(\u1f10\u03be\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03b9\u1f71\u03b6\u03b5\u03b9<\/a>, a form of \u1f10\u03be\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03b9\u03ac\u03b6\u03c9<\/a>) to his own body<\/em> (\u03c3\u1f7d\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2<\/a>, a form of \u03c3\u1ff6\u03bc\u03b1<\/a>), but<\/a> the wife.<\/em>9<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 In other words, this particular woman has not crept very deeply into this particular man\u2019s mind, or heart<\/em> as the case may be.\u00a0 And, 4) he has decided<\/em> (\u03ba\u1f73\u03ba\u03c1\u03b9\u03ba\u03b5\u03bd<\/a>, a form of \u03ba\u03c1\u03af\u03bd\u03c9<\/a>;\u00a0judged<\/em>) in his own mind<\/em> (\u03ba\u03b1\u03c1\u03b4\u1f77\u1fb3<\/a>, a form of \u03ba\u03b1\u03c1\u03b4\u03af\u03b1<\/a>; literally, heart<\/em>) to keep<\/em> (\u03c4\u03b7\u03c1\u03b5\u1fd6\u03bd<\/a>, a form of \u03c4\u03b7\u03c1\u03ad\u03c9<\/a>) his own virgin<\/em>.<\/p>\n

It sounds as if the man has decided to keep the woman a virgin, but I think there is more to \u03c4\u03b7\u03c1\u03b5\u1fd6\u03bd (a form of \u03c4\u03b7\u03c1\u03ad\u03c9)<\/a> than that.\u00a0 He will keep<\/em> her, provide for her maintenance and support, love her, care for her (perhaps live with her) in every way a man would keep<\/em> a wife, except that he will not have sexual relations with her.\u00a0 And how firm<\/em> in his commitment<\/em> will he remain, without painful distress, having control<\/em> over his will<\/em>?\u00a0 That, I think, is more what Paul had in mind here, so that the one who dared such a thing did it with the power of God and, at very least, the acquiescence of his beloved, if not her full participation and support. [Addendum June 27, 2024: I had a change of heart about the Greek in this passage later<\/a>.]<\/p>\n

I have played a lot of weddings in my life, for the ceremony, not the party after.\u00a0 I have heard the jokes by priests, pastors and preachers at the rehearsal, that \u201cthis isn\u2019t the real thing.\u201d\u00a0 I was close enough to one of those pastors to actually get at what he meant.\u00a0 He hated wedding rehearsals, not because it was another night away from his family without pay, but because he feared that the young couple would be so carried away by the rehearsal that they would have sex (with each other) twenty-four hours too soon.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t know what to make of that at the time.\u00a0 Now I wish to say clearly that I think it is part of the religious mind.\u00a0 It is exactly the same species of religious thought as the one who supposes that he is free of the sin of adultery because his serial sexual relationships were never blessed by a priest, pastor or rabbi.<\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

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1<\/sup><\/a> 1 Corinthians 7:36 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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2<\/sup><\/a> 1 Corinthians 13:5 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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3<\/sup><\/a> 1 Corinthians 7:3a (NET) Table<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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4<\/sup><\/a> 1 Corinthians 7:32-34a (NET) Table<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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5<\/sup><\/a> 1 Corinthians 7:7 (NET) Table<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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6<\/sup><\/a> 1 Corinthians 7:37 (NET) Table<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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7<\/sup><\/a> 1 Corinthians 7:2a (NKJV)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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8<\/sup><\/a> 1 Corinthians 7:26 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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9<\/sup><\/a> 1 Corinthians 7:4b (NET) Table<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In Romans, Part 30 I said that sexual desire for someone other than my wife was like a distant early warning system, alerting me to which I was asserting control.\u00a0 Things may not be so clear, however, for the young, … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[990,365,995,991,992,989,994,996,993],"class_list":["post-1551","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-section-two","tag-1-corinthians-135","tag-1-corinthians-72","tag-1-corinthians-726","tag-1-corinthians-73","tag-1-corinthians-732-34","tag-1-corinthians-736","tag-1-corinthians-737","tag-1-corinthians-74","tag-1-corinthians-77"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1551","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1551"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1551\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24299,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1551\/revisions\/24299"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1551"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1551"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1551"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}