By Gregory Coles. On this particular Sunday, we read Matthew aloudβand, to help make the reading experience as lively as possible, we chose to read from The Message. But once in a while, I stumble across an interpretation in The Message that seems dramatically off base.
I find myself wondering, If somebody as smart as Eugene Peterson is interpreting this passage this way, how many other Christians might be doing the same? Why get married? It requires a certain aptitude and grace. Some, from birth seemingly, never give marriage a thought.
Others never get askedβor accepted. And some decide not to get married for kingdom reasons. For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by othersβand there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it. The problem is, a close reading of the passage yields a nearly opposite interpretation.
In my church, we love and celebrate each one of these beautiful unmarried siblings in the faith. Neither should we. Skip to main content.
Donate Now. Join Login. August 20, This also helps to explain why he immediately goes on to describe three different types of unmarried people. More articles.
