here is a myth making the rounds in some circles, that those people identified as eunuchs in scriptures were homosexuals. This is a totally ridiculous idea and nothing could be further from truth. It is indeed astounding that any learned person could come to such a contrived conclusion. Of course when you have people determined to base interpretations on the social climate of the day, or the imaginations of men's hearts, it is quite understandable. Because it is then easy for one to formulate and then read any belief they want "into" the scriptures. This is obviously a teaching that is not in scripture, and any Theologian worth his salt can come to no other conclusion.

The word eunuch in the old testament is [caric](pronounced saw-reece') meaning to be castrated. Figuratively meaning to live unmarried or celibate. Kings and rulers would often use castrated men or eunuchs as people charged with the management and care of women's chambers. This was done for obvious reasons, since it would be impossible for them to have sexual relations with the women under their care. Thus they were the ideal guards of harems and servants quarters. For this reason the word [caric] is also translated chamberlain in scripture. It illustrates those given charge of the bedchambers of women. For example:

Ester 2:3

• "And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them:"

Ester 2:14

• "In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name."

In the new testament the Greek word Eunuch is [eunouchizo] meaning literally to "hold bed". It's taken from the root Greek words [enue] meaning bed, and the verb tense [echo], meaning to hold (possession). By extension it illustrated a castrated person who was normally the chamberlain or holder of the women's bed chambers. Basically it has the same meaning as the old testament word illustrated. In it's narrowest technical sense, it means literally or figuratively, a celibate or emasculated man. These were those who were often used as chamberlains. We can also see a vivid example of this service illustrated in the Ethiopian eunuch who had charge of the Queen's Chamber.

Acts 8:27

• "And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,"

So, as we've seen, the word is used to illustrate a castrated person, but it is self evident from scripture that God uses the word in the New Testament in a wider application. It is a common misconception that the word is "always" used in scripture for castrated males. That is the root meaning, but by extension the word identifies anyone who cannot lawfully have lawfully sexual union with a woman. For example anyone who for conscience sake will not enter into sexual union has by implication made himself a eunuch. Jesus uses the word signifying those abstaining from sexual union, such as those who choose to remain single or celibate.

However, there is not a single phrase anywhere in scripture declaring, or even implying that homosexual activity or lifestyle is related to eunuchs. God having already condemned the practice of homosexuality many times, it would be contradictory to call homosexuals (if they were eunuchs) Christians. And so these arguments by some that these eunuchs are homosexuals is an untenable position, and without any biblical foundation. The word eunuch can mean a castrated man, but by extension it can also means any man who has cut himself off from having sexual relations with women. i.e., any man who has for some reason denied himself women, sexually. Not to be confushed with the word homosexual, which means men who are attracted to men, or women who are attracted to women. A totally different definition. For example, Christ spoke of those who "would not marry" for the kingdom of God's sake, as Eunuchs. These were men who would remain single so that they could better serve God.

Matthew 19:12

• "For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him RECEIVE It."

Others will never have sexual union because someone has taken it upon himself to physically make him that way. Either by castration, so as to be chamberlains, or as slaves were often castrated, or because of cruelty. In our day it might even be for medical reasons.

And Christ also declares that others will never have sexual union for the Kingdom of God's sake. In other words, like Paul (Who wished that all were as he, Unmarried - 1st Cor. 7:7). Those who remain unmarried for the Kingdom of God's sake do so by design in order to place all the emphasis on Christ, and not on caring for a wife. God calls these eunuchs, and obviously He is not referring to homosexuals. To say some have made themselves homosexuals for the kingdom of God's sake, would be blasphemy!

So we have Christ giving all sorts of reasons why one would have no sexual union (be a eunuch). God never intended that all people would get married. Therefore, it is not a failure or a cause for despair that one remains a eunuch or in the celibate state. It very well may be a special calling of God, or something that is for the best according to the will of God.

Indeed, Christ says in Matthew 24 that it's not for everyone to have sexual union in marriage that they receive his command not to divorce. But to he who can receive it, let him receive it. He who will never marry cannot receive this Jesus says, but to he who does decide to marry it is "till death do them part." Therefore, to them, these words of Christ about divorce and two flesh becoming one, apply. So the word clearly also by extension applies to celibate men, as well as castrated men.

But those who attempt to have this word eunuch mean homosexuality, actually have Jesus saying in that chapter that some were born "homosexuals" for the kingdom of God's sake. That is a ludicrous statement for any Christian man to make. And just another example of the rationalizations of man, and Biblical proof that these eunuchs cannot be homosexuals.

These questions having been answered, the question now is, "why then do so many people today think that these verses that speak of eunuchs are talking about homosexuality?" The answer is the social engineering and political correctness that is running rampant in society. It's the way of the world today to turn everything upside down. To esteem bad as good, and good as bad. To make quoted scripture evil legalism and un-compassionate, but makes smooth and compromising words of nullification, as good christian compassion. To make those who bear faithful witness to truth the bad guys, while those who say, "ye are all saved and shall have peace," loving and Christlike. Apostasy and sloppy exegesis mixed with carnal or humanistic thinking has also brought these abominable ideas into the churches. Many people today just don't care what the Word of God says. They just want to be called a Christian and to live in peace with the world. They are just too deceived to understand that peace with the world, is enmity with God.

Isaiah 4:1

• "And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach."

May the Lord who is most Gracious, keep us rooted firmly in Him, that we might endure to the end, in our the hour of great trial and tribulation.

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