The concept of celibacy arises, largely from the writings of Paul, who said the physical body and its desires as sinful. Further Christian authors expanded on this, some become canonical and others did not.

Until the 4th century AD there was no established church and Christianity was made up of several different sects each following somewhat different traditions, with some sects following a strict policy of celibacy (usually these sects also believed the end of times/final judgement/second coming was near so no need to procreate).

Mainstream Christian sects, and the early church did not follow celibacy initially, but it was later included after being championed by some early Christian authorities such as Augustine of Hippo, around the late 4th century.