I'm not sure I understand the above. Could you rephrase it? Thanks! Paul recommends it, no doubt, and those who follow through with it, as a principle, have honest aspirations and reasons.
Yep. I agree. However, when it comes to offices within the Church itself (on Earth, of course), he proclaims, WITHOUT caveat that the man must be married. Not just in one passage or book, but in two.
To put this in perspective, let's take a look at some of the other gifts of the Spirit:
1st Cor. 12:28,29:
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
According to the above text there are diverse GIFTS. These are in opposition to OFFICES. (As an interesting note-teachers are ABOVE those that work miracles under the Spirit.)
Each of these gifts have different requirements/tests. A prophet must NEVER be wrong. A teacher has a higher condemnation, etc. Throughout the New Testament, I read that the "office" is different than the "gift" given by the Holy Spirit. An "office" may be desired and granted by way of democracy within the Church itself. "Gifts" are given by the Holy Spirit. These are tests to prove the Spirit of God (for gifts).
On the other hand, the offices of the Church are granted by men. Paul presents requirements for these offices. He does NOT present a caveat for these offices. I believe he was speaking through the Holy Spirit at this time (as well as in the 1st Cor. text I've stated in above posts, but he gave a release in those texts.)
In other words:
Offices are man driven/chosen and are subject to the requirements presented in 1st Tim. 3 as well as Titus 1. Gifts of the Spirit are given without requirements. (They are given based on Faith.)
A celibate office holder in the Church, chosen by men, is in violation of scripture.
Indeed it is for those whose beliefs are centered around His Word. For others it doesn't matter what the Bible says. Man made beliefs supercede the Bible.