Does Matthew 19 refer to one's spirit being married to Christ?

by G.
(Missouri, USA)

Rick Brentlinger Answers -

When I approach Matthew 19, I read the text literally, taking it at face value instead of spiritualizing it. When events in Matthew occurred the apostle Paul was not yet saved therefore the writing of 1 Corinthians and Ephesians was still 25-30 years in the future. For that reason the apostles would not have spiritualized what Jesus was saying as you suggest.

From our twenty first century perspective, with Matthew, Ephesians and 1 Corinthians on the table in front of us, we have a tendency to read back into the text things which the apostles would not have understood from Jesus' words to them since they didn't have access to Paul's writings during the earthly ministry of Christ.

Instead, the apostles took what Jesus said in a more normal literal way. Their response to Jesus, that "its better not to marry" (Matthew 19:10) makes no sense if they understood Jesus to be making a spiritual analogy to the bride and bridegroom. While Augustine had a tendency to read hidden spiritual meanings into the Biblical text, I don't believe it is wise for us to do that.

The disciples' response to Jesus in Matthew 19:10 makes perfect sense if they understood Jesus to be speaking of normal human marriage.

We should not ignore the
astonishing points Jesus makes

1. that some eunuchs are born that way - i.e., they did not make a choice to be eunuchs and no human being else made a choice for them to be eunuchs
   
   
2. that born eunuchs are exceptions to the Adam and Eve marriage paradigm
   
   
3. that Jesus differentiates between born eunuchs and metaphysical eunuchs who make a personal choice not to marry.
   
   Since Jesus has already excluded born eunuchs from the Adam and Eve paradigm and since He has also differentiated between born eunuchs and metaphysical eunuchs who chose not to participate in the Adam and Eve paradigm, what may we reasonably conclude from Jesus' carefully chosen words?

We may conclude that Jesus is leaving the door open for born eunuchs who are not subject to the Adam and Eve (opposite sex) marriage paradigm to enter a same sex marriage.

Jesus as the ultimate Author of scripture knows that the bride of Christ contains both men and women who will eventually "marry" the man Christ Jesus. Therefore it does not strain credulity to believe that both opposite sex marriage and same sex marriage fit the Christs bride typology.

Remember that it was commonly understood in the first century by Jews especially and by other cultures that a born eunuch was one who was not attracted to the opposite sex yet who also was anatomically whole and not castrated.

Rather than Jesus making only a spiritual allusion to bride-bridegroom typology in Matthew 19, He was in fact answering a rubber meets the road question about a raging controversy in His day, between followers of Hillel and followers of Shamai.

More Informative Links

Gay marriage throughout church history

Is there evidence of an actual gay marriage in the Bible?

Are there same sex couples in ancient history?

Since same sex couples cannot legally marry is sex in a committed relationship sin?

Did Jesus define marriage as only between a man and a woman?

Did God intend men or women to have committed same sex relationships?

Isn't the Bible pretty clear that gay marriage is wrong?

G's Original Question:

"I believe the Matthew 19 passage refers to ones spirit being married to Christ. If you look at the context it is in reply to a disciples question about the appropriateness of divorce and the reply is "Some are not ready to receive the word (the truth).

The metaphor is referring to receiving the word (salvation)-not marital choice. Some are born away from his spirits. Others are drawn away from the spirit by outsiders, and some choose to be outside the spirit.

Ultimately this is an extension of the bridegroom analogy carried out throughout the bible concerning our relationship with Jesus (Matthew 25). I will continue to pray on this but those who know the truth should share the truth."