What does Matthew 19 5-12 teach us about commitment?

Answer 1

A few things really.

The Bible says : ". . .Just let YOUR word Yes mean Yes,and YOUR No, No; for what is in excess of these is from the wicked one."(Matthew 5:37) God dignifies us with the ability to think and act with integrity. He expects us to think before we speak and be accountable for what we say and do(Psalms 15:4). It's very clear how God feels about commitment when he says: "Whenever you vow a vow to God, do not hesitate to pay it, for there is no delight in the stupid ones. What you vow, pay. Better is it that you vow not, than that you vow and do not pay. . . ."(Ecclesiastes 5:4-6)

A marriage vow is made to our marriage mate, but also before God. It is a promise to BOTH that we will do our best to keep the marriage safe and honorable in his sight. Showing the seriousness of marriage, we are told at Matthew 19:5-12 'For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and will stick to his wife, and the two will be one flesh'...what God has yoked together let no man put apart." ... I say to YOU that whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of fornication, and marries another commits adultery." Unlike much of what we hear and see around us today, the Bible shows that God expects Christians to be committed to each other in a marriage arrangement, to build each other up, to work hard at making the marriage successful and happy.

Marriage, however, though a wonderful arrangement, and encouraged for those who want a family (1 Corinthians 7:36-38), is not a command. If one chooses to remain single for a time, to make himself/herself more available to serve God and other people, the Bible says "... Let him that can make room for it (singleness) make room for it."

Because a faithful Christian would never have sex outside of marriage, staying single would make them a 'self made' eunuch. So, for however long they decide, they will commit themselves to serving God whole souled, without the complication of a family, for how ever long they want to do it. But it doesn't have to be permanent(1 Corinthians 9:5) and it's not for everyone.

Concerning this, Matthew 19:12 finished up by saying: "Not all men make room for the saying, but only those who have the gift. For there are eunuchs ... that have made themselves eunuchs on account of the kingdom of the heavens."

Answer 2

This word does not occur in the KJV Bible.

The dictionary meaning of the word implies a promise or pledge, and Jesus indicates that making a promise is not good:

But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. (Matthew 5.37)