For much of my life I have heard about eunuchs from the first century. I have even read and preached about Philip and Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. But recently I have learned some new things about eunuchs and this passage. For so many years, my only focus in Acts 8 was the eunuch becoming a follower of Jesus. On a deeper dive into the spiritual, cultural, and historical context of the time, and combining it with Jesus’ words in Matthew 19, I have a whole new perspective on this passage.
Before we get to the main point of taking the Matthew 19 passage and showing its connection to Acts 8, I want to share a few other things about eunuchs and specifically this eunuch. Eunuchs were prohibited from entering the temple. They were not fully accepted in society and were considered social outcasts. Hmmm, sound like today? But look at what Jesus did through Philip’s willingness to follow the Holy Spirit to include who otherwise had been excluded. Keep that in mind as we dig deeper about this particular eunuch in Acts 8 and see more of God’s inclusiveness in the church and his Kingdom.
In Acts 8, it says this eunuch was from Ethiopia, which was all of Africa and south of Egypt. Referring to Ethiopia was another way of thinking of the literal end of the earth. Jesus’ ever expanding circle reaches everywhere! And being from Ethiopia (Africa) means he was black. Jesus’ ever expanding circle includes all people of all races and ethnicities. And as we are going to see some other facts about eunuchs in the first-century, Jesus’ ever expanding circle includes those who are gay. Jesus’ ever expanding circle has no limits! That is why we should choose to draw circles and not lines!
Now let’s look at some particulars about all eunuchs and unpack Matthew 19 and Acts 8 together to gather other insights about eunuchs in general and specifically this eunuch. Jesus’ words in Matthew 19 gives another perspective of eunuchs. Let’s look at Jesus’ words. He said, 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others. . . (Matthew 19:12). When Jesus spoke of eunuchs, he didn’t use just one word for them. Back in the first century eunuchs were “unnatural” and “natural”. Most often they were males who had been castrated, or in other words, “unnatural”. Would you agree that is “unnatural”? I sure do!
However, less common but still a very real definition of a eunuch is the “natural” eunuch. The Hebrew word “saris” often translated as eunuch was used in a much broader sense. It was a generic word to refer to those that would not or could not procreate. Those that would not were those who were simply not attracted to women, which was “natural” for them and did not fit the parameters of what is typically called “natural” when it comes to relationships. So, “the reality that not all people are born with an innate attraction to the opposite sex is as old as the human race.” (Unclobber by Colby Martin, p. 167). They were in all aspects anatomically male, but naturally not attracted to women. In our day, these same men would most likely identify as gay.
Now, back to Acts 8 and Philip’s encounter with a eunuch from Ethiopia. In the book of Acts, “the Kingdom of God, inaugurated in the life of Jesus, vindicated and initiated in his death and resurrection is now being implemented by God’s Spirit through the early church at a rapid rate. Included in the implementation are moments, like this one, where the early church has to come to grips with the inclusivity of the gospel.” (Unclobber by Colby Martin, p. 168).
Philip who was led by and was following the Holy Spirit found himself in the presence of this eunuch. Was this eunuch “unnatural” or “natural”? Was this eunuch “man-made” or “natural born”? We really don’t know and the truth is he could have been either. “That really is not the point. There is something so much bigger going on here when it comes to Jesus, the church, the gospel and the Kingdom of God. The point is that this new thing that God is doing through Jesus has broken through the wall of the sexual “other”, a category of people that were previously outsiders from a Jewish perspective. Yet now, through the witness of Philip, a eunuch (man-made or divinely made), has come into relationship with God through Jesus Christ and given the gift of baptism. He joins the rest of the family at the Table, in a ever widening circle, with zero words of condemnation.” (Unclobber by Colby Martin, p. 169).
There is so much more to process and really ponder about the eunuch and how it relates to the LGBTQ community. But for now, I want to leave you with some closing thoughts. Are you drawing an ever-widening circle (inviting them in), or are you drawing a line (keeping them out or keeping them at an arm’s distance)? Are you inclusive with your love? Do you say, “I love you, but . . .”?
Open your mind and heart to draw an ever-widening circle, love with an all-inclusive love, and remove all the “but’s” from your love. I challenge you to choose to love graciously so they can know, feel, and experience gracious love. There is so much more to consider and contemplate, but for now that is all. We will discuss more in The Journey in the very near future.
The most wonderful message I have ever heard.