Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 19:12

12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mothers 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 sake, He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

Our Saviour knowing the sinful Custom, and Practice of the Jewish Nation now for many years, and giving some allowance for that, and his Disciples infirmities, so he doth not answer them severely, as what they said might deserve, but reproves them gently; what he saith amounts to thus much, you do not consider what you say. All men without sinning against God, cannot abstain from Marriage. An Ability to live chastly without the use of Marriage, is a peculiar Gift of God, and your saying hath no place in Persons, to whom God hath not given that Gift, For it is better to Marry than to Burn. There are some whom God by Nature hath made unfit for Marriage. There are others whom Men (wickedly) make unfit for it, that they may gratifie their own Jealousie. (Thus several Courtiers were made Eunuchs, and so betrusted with the Care of Princes Wives and Concubines.) And there are some who have made themselves Eunuchs (not castrating themselves, that is wickedness) but abstaining from Marriage, and yet living Chastly (having mortified their Lusts, and brought under their Body) that they might be less incumbred with the Cares of the World, and be more free for the work of the Ministry, or be able more to give up themselves to an Holy Life and spiritual Conversation. But God, who by his Ordinance of Marriage designed to People, and continue the World, hath given to Persons different Tempers and Constitutions: So as possibly the most of Men and Women, cannot without making use of Marriage govern their Lusts. As to these, Marriage is not a matter of Choice and Deliberation, and they may, and ought to use it as an appointment of God, for the ends for which he hath instituted it. If there be any who can receive this Saying, who can without Marriage bridle his Lust, and so live in a solute and single state, as not to sin against God, by any Extravagancy of Lusts, and impure Desires and Affections, and desire, and shall do so, that he may be more spiritual, and serve God with less distraction, and be a more fit Instrument to promove the Kingdom of God in the World, let him do it.

Marginal references: 1 Cor. 7.[illegible: 2 letters].34. & 9.5.15.