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Did the Apostle Paul have a wife?
Did the Apostle Paul have a wife?
Thank you for your question. Although some have speculated that
Paul had a wife, because they say that he was a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, I must go
by the Word of God.
The
Bible clearly shows that Paul did not have a wife, but could have, if he had chosen to do
so.
The
Bible says in I Corinthians 9:3-6, "Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
Have we not power to eat and to drink? Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife,
as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? Or I only and
Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?"
Paul
was saying, "We could have a wife, like other apostles do, and like the Lord's
brothers do, and like Cephas (Peter) has." We know that Peter was married from
another statement in the Bible, too. Matthew 8:14 says, "And when Jesus was come into
Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever." Peter had a
mother-in-law, so he was clearly married.
Paul
was saying in I Corinthians 9:3-6 that he could also have a wife, if he had so wanted one.
His point was that just because he was an apostle, did not mean that he could not marry,
or that he had to work an outside job besides preaching. He just did these things
willingly, but was under no bondage to them. I Corinthians 9:1,2 says, "Am I not an
apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the
Lord? If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine
apostleship are ye in the Lord." And then read verses 3-6 again.
I
Corinthians 7:1-8 also makes it clear that Paul was not married. "Now concerning the
things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless,
to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own
husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife
unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise
also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the
other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and
prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. But I
speak this by permission, and not of commandment. For I would that all men were even as I
myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another
after that. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide
even as I."
Paul
writes that it is better for a man to have a wife, than to go around lusting -- that would
be sin. And that once a husband and wife are married, they should take care to be loving
one to another, lest Satan bring temptation into their lives. Then Paul finishes by saying
that he is speaking all of that by permission -- not by commandment. That is, he is not
commanding that men and women have to get married, but just giving permission for them to
do so. Because he says, "I would that all men were even as I myself." How was
he? "I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide
even as I." That is, he was not married. There is no sin in getting married, but
being unmarried just allowed Paul more time to serve the Lord.
I
Corinthians 7:32-36 says, "But I would have you without carefulness. He that is
unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: But
he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his
wife. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for
the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is
married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. And this I
speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is
comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. But if any man think
that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age,
and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry."
The
point is clear that Paul is making. When you are married, it is easy for a man to all
wrapped up in making money in life to buy all sorts of things to please his wife; a nice
home, a nice car, etc. The wife can fall into the same trap in life -- worrying more about
pleasing her husband than pleasing God. The life of being single just allows a person more
time to accomplish things for God -- there are less distractions. But Paul makes it clear,
"But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she
pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not:
let them marry." There is no sin in getting married. The Bible says in Proverbs
18:22, "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the
LORD." There is also no sin in being single. I Corinthians 7:7 says, "For I
would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one
after this manner, and another after that."
The
Scripture is clear that Paul was not married. He was single, and saw it as a means of
accomplishing more for the Lord, because of fewer distractions in life. But he clearly
stated that he could get married if he wanted to do so, and it would not be sin.
Marriage is a wonderful relationship that was ordained by God. Genesis
2:24 says, "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave
unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." But there is an even more important
relationship -- a relationship with Jesus Christ. Have you said "I do" to
Christ? Have you received Him as your personal Savior? John 1:12 says, "But as many
as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that
believe on his name."
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