For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven’s sake. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it.”
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 12. And there are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs, and so forth It is not to be taken in the literal sense, but of such who have taken a firm and commendable resolution of leading a single life.—He that can receive it, let him receive it. Some think that to receive, in this and the foregoing verse, is to understand; and so will have the sense to be, he that can understand what I have said of different eunuchs, let him understand it; as when Christ said elsewhere, he that hath ears to hear, let him hear. But others expound it as an admonition to men and women, not to engage themselves in a vow of living a single life, unless, after a serious deliberation, they have good grounds to think they can duly comply with this vow, otherwise let them not make it. Thus S. Jerom on this place, and Saint John Chrysostom where they both expressly take notice, that this grace is granted to every one that asketh and beggeth for it by prayer. Witham.—To the crown and glory of which state, let those aspire who feel themselves called by heaven.