Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us when we travel? That’s what the other apostles do, and the Lord’s brothers and Peter do the same.
Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You’re Simon, the son of John, but you’ll be known as Cephas.” (Cephas means Peter, or Rock.)
A woman has to stay married to her husband for as long as he lives. If he dies, she’s free to marry anyone she wants. But the man she marries must belong to the Lord.
I wish all of you were single like me. But each person has their own gift from God. One has the gift of being happily married, and another has the gift of being happily single.
An elder must be blameless. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers and not give anyone a reason to say that they’re wild and disobedient.
But a leader must have a good reputation. He must be faithful to his wife. He must be restrained, self-controlled, and worthy of respect. He must welcome people into his home, and he must be able to teach.
Here’s what I mean. One of you says, “I follow Paul.” Another says, “I follow Apollos.” Another says, “I follow Peter.” And still another says, “I follow Christ.”
Isn’t he Mary’s son? Isn’t he the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon? And aren’t his sisters here with us?” They didn’t think he really was who he seemed to be.
They don’t allow people to get married, and they order them not to eat certain foods. But God created those foods, so people who believe and know the truth should receive them and give thanks for them.