I was reading in 1 Corinthians, chapter 11 this morning when I came across verse eleven:
Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
I have read this verse several times, but as I reflected on it this morning, one other scripture came to mind.
This scripture is found in 2 Nephi 2:25 and is Lehi’s counsel to his son Jacob:
Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.
I hardly ever pay attention to such simple verbs as the conjugated ‘to be’, but these two verse make it stand out.
According to these two verses, we exist because Adam fell and we also exist so that we may attain joy. Paul seems to say that a man cannot “be” without a woman. In other words, he cannot attain joy without marriage. This is an interesting thought given what we read in D&C 131:1-4:
In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; and in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]; and if he does not, he cannot obtain it. He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase.
how can intelligent people believe this 2000 year old ancient supersticious nonsence.
are you so ignorant that you don’t study science??? or are you just an other stupid american?
“are you so ignorant that you don’t study science??? or are you just an other stupid american??”
Neither. Troll.
true.
In 1 Corinthians 11:11 Paul uses the phrase “in the Lord”, which means in this context he is speaking of being moral.
“In the Lord” = “As things should be according to the Lord” in this context.
So Paul says that a man without a woman is less righteous than a man with a woman and similarly a woman without a man is less righteous than a woman with a man.
When put in context with 2 Nephi 2:25, mankind exists because Adam & Eve fell. Mankind exists for the purpose of having joy. Men and women, in the Lord’s eyes, should be together – those together are more attuned to the Lord’s wishes.
This meshes nicely with D&C 131:1-4, since those men and women who are together are more righteous, and therefore are more deserving of the highest heaven – and accordingly more joy as a result.
Men without women and women without men are excluded due to their reduced righteousness. Too bad, less joy for them. Not no joy, just less
Interesting comments, Rick. I’m not sure, however, that I would go so far as to say that those who marry are less righteous than those who do.
I can see how you could infer this based on someone deliberately choosing not to marry simply because they don’t want to. Nevertheless, often some do not marry because they are unable not because they choose not to.
I don’t think we can condemn those who are not able to marry as being less righteous.
Oh, I’d never condemn anyone…
That was Paul doing the talking.
Good old judgmental Paul.
That’s good because I didn’t accuse you of condemning anyone. That being said, I don’t actually see that Paul is saying anyone who is not married is less righteous.
I guess it’s not so much a lack of righteousness as being less in tune with the Lord’s will.
Fair enough?
I see your point but at the same time there are people who very much know the Lord’s will. It’s just that they are unable to fulfil His will.
I think we can both agree that the Lord wouldn’t want someone picking someone else s/he met on the street and marrying him/her that night just as a way to be more righteous or be more in tune.