Stoicism: Paul Teaches: Celibacy

Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good to abstain from sexual relations. …

Now about virgins, I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.

Because of the present crisis, I think it is good for a man to remain as he is.

I want you to be free from concern. The unmarried man is concerned about the work of the Lord, how he can please the Lord.

But the married man is concerned about the affairs of this world, how he can please his wife,

A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord.

In my judgment, however, she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.