Eunuchs

October 6, 2025

Some time ago, I did a word study using Strong’s Greek to settle something for my own understanding, and so be able to share with confidence the truth.

The subject is a precept from when Jesus was teaching his Disciples regarding divorce — recorded in Matthew 19:4–12, and specifically verses 11 & 12. My hope is that others will benefit from my efforts… and I apologize ahead of time in case anyone is offended by something I write here. Responses for discussion are welcome, while vituperative attacks will be ignored…

This is the verse I am quoting, but using one excerpt from two different Bible versions. I intend to expound on one word in them, and afterward, briefly pointing to a secondary, related topic.

• Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others — and 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.” — New International Version (NIV).
• Jesus told them, “Only those people who have been given the gift of staying single can accept this teaching. Some people are unable to marry because of birth defects or because of what someone has done to their bodies. Others stay single in order to serve God better. Anyone who can accept this teaching should do so.” — Contemporary English Version (CEV).

To say that “Not everyone can accept this word,” is a minimalist statement,” and yet, it is one of those many Bible teachings that have caused quite a raucous. And this one word, “eunuch,”is such a word.

Arguments surrounding these verses have wrongly centered this excerpt with the controversies surrounding homosexuality. Not surprisingly to me, this is due to a wrong understanding of the one word “eunuchs.” Apparently, it has become a tripwire that causes many explosive reactions. Here’s the trip: Some argue that that word refers to homosexuals.

Yes. I know. Some eunuchs were castrated, but that didn’t make them homosexual.

Well, Jesus is not even talking about homosexuality here at all. So, it is a moot point, and eunuchs have nothing to do with that controversial topic. Nothing. Zilch. Zero.

Now, you must have heard or come across those raging arguments about what the Bible says about homosexuality… and as I wrote above, the arguments surrounding eunuchs are way off track and have absolutely nothing to do with homosexuality.

In my research online, eunuchs are described in this fashion; “young eunuchs served as guards in the court harem or as attendants in the sultan’s palace. However, older and more educated men often had important political roles…” — https://iu.pressbooks.pub

We would have to look elsewhere where the subject is bridged in the Bible. For example, Paul’s view on homosexuality remained steadfast and was in line with the Law of Moses: Source: 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 and Leviticus 20:13 to get to that discussion.

Anyways, please let’s push that aside for now.

By extension the question Jesus was answering was related to one to which the Apostle Paul discussed — a New Testament and more gracious view about the decision of whether or not to have their bed or not, similar to the saying “You can’t have your cake and eat it, too!” meaning you can’t have it both ways and so have to decide on which one is best for you…

So, what was Jesus talking about in the first verse I quoted ?

He was answering a specific question put to Him about marriage and divorce. Here’s the discussion in context:

Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” .

“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’ ? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” — verses 3–6. ibid.

However, the Disciples took umbrage with that, being somehow annoyed by Jesus’ confining restriction, and they challenged Him with this declaration: “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.” — verse 10, ibid.

Regarding that extreme response, the Apostle Paul wrote, I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry… — 1 Corinthians 7:7–9, NIV.

Now, I am going to push the question about what harm can come from divorce. You see “sin,” according to my Bible studies, is doing what hurts or harms other people or yourself. You see, I have found God is like our good and loving parents who try to guard children from all hurts and harm and are always around to rescue them when any evil comes around.

To answer those questions regarding what hurt and what harm is caused by sin according to the Bible, even Secular Studies have given many obvious answers as to the hurtful and harmful results of marital problems and divorce…

Here is Sociologists’ view in brief: After a divorce, the couple often experiences effects including decreased levels of happiness, a change in economic status, and emotional problems. The effects on children can include academic, behavioral, and psychological problems. — Wikipedia.

Seems like there is a lot of possible hurt and harm there. Right?

Even during a marriage there are hurts and harm caused by our inability to deal with money problems, childcare issues, daily stress, busy schedules, poor communication, and/or self-destructive behaviors like drugs or extra-marital affairs (ibid), and so on. Arguments, blaming the other person, selfishness and self interest — all have hurtful and harmful effects. Right?

And aren’t those situations the basis for Paul’s advice? The whole chapter is about Paul’s concern about divided devotions and any distractions from serving God and the mismanagement of those priorities. Read it for yourselves to see if I am correct…

Furthermore, the Bible’s basic solution for all hurting and harming is to turn from our self-centered and corrupt fallen nature, turning to God, and through the good news from Jesus, to receive a new godly nature which is other-centered and generous — what the Greeks called agapē love (ἀγάπη).