I Corinthians 7:1

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“Now concerning the things whereof you wrote unto me: it is good for a man not to touch a woman.”

Catholics use this passage to support celibacy, particularly for priests. Is this what it is saying? Recognize that Paul is quoting from a letter he had received. Notice that he said, “concerning the things you wrote unto me.” Paul was quoting the rumor that they had written to him. The Greek word translated “touch” means “to attach oneself in many implied relationships.” Now realize that fornication was absolutely rampant in the Gentile city of Corinth, and that this was having an effect in the Church. Seeing this, some were concluding that they should swing to the other ditch, and that no man should ever touch any woman for any reason.

Paul disagreed (I Cor 7:2) and answered, “avoid fornication by having your own wife.” Also, “due benevolence” (I Cor 7:3) means “sexual responsibility.” Paul was obviously not immediately contradicting himself, two verses later, by saying that all touching of women was wrong (I Cor 7:1), but rather that men have a sexual responsibility to their wives (I Cor 7:3).