the beginning of the chapter concerns marriage, and Jesus not only does not forbid marriage, -he forbids divorce, that is, the change of wives. Thus, even in marriage Jesus demands the greatest possible abstinence -that men should keep to one wife. When the disciples (verse 10) say that it is very difficult so to abstain, that is, to keep only to one wife, he replies that although all cannot abstain as entirely as those who are born eunuchs, nor like those who have been made eunuchs by men, yet there are some who have made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven, that is, have conquered their lust by the spirit, and these are they whom one should endeavor to resemble. That by the words "such as have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven," one should understand the spiritual victory over the flesh and not physical mutilation, is evident from the fact that where physical mutilation is alluded to it is said "made eunuchs by men," and that where spiritual victory over the flesh is mentioned it is said "made themselves eunuchs." This is what I think, and this is how I understand the 12th verse, but I must add that even if this interpretation of the letter appears to you unconvincing, one should remember that only the spirit giveth life. Compulsory or even voluntary mutilation is contrary to the whole spirit of the Christian teaching. *****
... I understand that sexual relations in wedlock are not immoral, but before writing as with authority, I should like to consider the question more carefully ; for there is truth also in the opinion that such relations, even with one's wife, for the mere gratification of lust, is sinful. I think that self-mutilation is as much a sin as physical union for the sake of pleasure, just as I think that it is equally sinful to overeat or to exhaust oneself by starvation or
