Eunuchs

For a few weeks now, I have been thinking about the term Eunuch and how its used in the Bible. Typically a Eunuch is thought to be a castrated man, used to watch over wives of kings and emperors. In several readings, I found that eunuchs go way back. Often times a Eunuch would be castrated pre-pubescent, thus hindering the "normal" development of male characteristics. The level of testosterone will be much lower. Voices would remain higher pitched, facial hair would likely not grow in or be sporadic, castrated men will most likely be more effeminate. According to Joesph Thayer ("Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Coded with Strong's Concordance Numbers,") a eunuch is not only someone who has been castrated, but is also "one naturally incapacitated, either for marriage or for begetting children." He also further defines the word eunuch as "one who abstains from marriage". Jesus talks about eunuchs in only one scripture (that I know of). He and his disciples are discussing marriage and divorce. In Matthew 19:12 Jesus says, "For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it." In this context Paul would technically be a Eunuch because he remained single and celibate so that he could fully focus on the mission given to him. In Acts 8:26-40, Phillip guides an Ethiopian Eunuch to conversion. The Eunuch is the first noted non-Hebrew christian in scripture.

I'm not entirely sure what to make of all this yet, but what I do know is that some people are born gay and I think that some of the above explains that God is okay with that!