In those days, people didn't date. They typically married at young ages. Sometimes they were betrothed. Often people had their spouse selected for them by their family at a young age.
I doubt people back then fretted as much about the "gift of singleness" back then, or wondered what it meant. Or if, God forbid, God gave them such a dreadful gift.
But, yes, when Paul lists the spiritual gifts, he doesn't mention celibacy or singleness. A lot of times when people talk about the "gift of singleness," they'll say that, if you have the ability to be single without any problems or struggles, then you have that gift. So, uh, if I have the "gift of marriage," then that means I have the ability to enjoy a marriage without any problems or struggles? Wow. Gee, that sounds nice. lol.
A popular idea that Christians have is that singleness requires some sort of "special calling." That the "gift of singleness" is some sort of superpower God gives certain people. Of course, if you need a special supernatural ability to be able to deal with singleness, well, then singleness must be objectively awful. It's like the "gift" of anesthesia during a surgery.
Besides, didn't Paul say that, if you "burn with passion," it may be better to marry? Sexual desires are not "sinful" in and of themselves.
We're talking about ancient history here.
In those days, people didn't date. They typically married at young ages. Sometimes they were betrothed. Often people had their spouse selected for them by their family at a young age.
I doubt people back then fretted as much about the "gift of singleness" back then, or wondered what it meant. Or if, God forbid, God gave them such a dreadful gift.
But, yes, when Paul lists the spiritual gifts, he doesn't mention celibacy or singleness. A lot of times when people talk about the "gift of singleness," they'll say that, if you have the ability to be single without any problems or struggles, then you have that gift. So, uh, if I have the "gift of marriage," then that means I have the ability to enjoy a marriage without any problems or struggles? Wow. Gee, that sounds nice. lol.
A popular idea that Christians have is that singleness requires some sort of "special calling." That the "gift of singleness" is some sort of superpower God gives certain people. Of course, if you need a special supernatural ability to be able to deal with singleness, well, then singleness must be objectively awful. It's like the "gift" of anesthesia during a surgery.
Besides, didn't Paul say that, if you "burn with passion," it may be better to marry? Sexual desires are not "sinful" in and of themselves.
So amazingly helpful! God bless you!