But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
Christ shows plainly that continence is not given to all, but only to some by special gift. Whoever thinks he can simply lay upon himself a vow of celibacy without this gift mistakes badly; God will punish contempt of His own appointment. This reproves those proud enough to claim what Christ manifestly refuses them.
AI summary
Not everyone has the gift of continency, indeed very few do. The saying the disciples made may hold in part, but not for all; it is proper only to those to whom God has given grace to live unmarried with content. This is not nature but grace, the gift of God alone.
AI summary
The unmarried state might serve well in times of persecution or when laboring in religion without family burden, and some apostles lived so; but it was not given to all men. Marriage or singleness must be lawful according to circumstances and the capacity God grants.
AI summary