34 Bible Verses about Being Single

As to the unmarried and widows, I say, it is best for them to continue so, as I do.

there is the same difference between a married woman and a virgin: the last is religiously concern'd to be holy, both in body and mind: but she that is married is taken up with worldly cares to please her husband.

for I wish that all men were as I myself am: but every man hath his proper gift from God, some one way, and some another.

but if they have not the gift, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to be in pain.

This I say, brethren, because the time is coming, when they who have wives will be as those that have none;

the unmarried is religiously concerned, how he may please the Lord:

he that is married is worldly concern'd, how he may please his wife.

Now as to the question you writ to me about; "whether it is best for a man not to marry?"

who by all his sollicitude can add one moment to his age?

the eye is the light of the body: now if your eye be clear, your whole body will be enlightned.

but which of you, with all his disquietude, can add one moment to the period of his life?

are you contracted to a wife? seek not to be disengag'd. are you disengag'd from your wife? don't look out for another;

not that it is a sin for you to marry; nor is it so if a virgin marry; but they that do, will be troubled for their relations, and that I would prevent.

but if she has separated herself, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

For as the body is one, tho' it has many members, and all the members of that one body, tho' many, are one body: so also is the body of Christ.

as to the married, I enjoin this rule, not as from my self, but from the Lord, that a woman should not leave her husband:

thereupon his disciples said, if the case between man and wife be such, it is best not to marry.

but she will be happier, if she remain a widow, in my opinion: and I think the divine spirit suggests the same.

As to the case of celibacy, I have no positive instructions: yet my advice deserves to be regarded, as coming from one the divine favour has distinguished.

Let none be put upon the list of widows, but such as are at least threescore years of age, and have been married but once:

as there are some eunuchs, who were such from their very birth: and others who were made such by men: so there are some who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of religion. he that can bear the state of celibacy, let him bear it.

compleat my joy, by pursuing the same view, living in mutual love, by being unanimous, and cultivating that harmony.

the eye is the light of the body: if therefore your eye be clear, every member of your body will have the benefit of the light: but if it be spoil'd, they must all rest in darkness.

her wealth is all sunk in a moment! the pilots and the passengers: the ships-crew, and the super-cargo's shall stand afar off,

I think therefore it is best, considering the present distress, I say, it is best, for a single person to continue so still.

And this I say for your particular advantage, not to lay any constraint upon you, but as that which is most suitable to a state of uninterrupted attendance upon religion.

however a single hair of your head shall not be lost.

for all the law is comprehended in this one precept, "thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each single gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as splendid as glass.

In a word, live all of you in perfect agreement and sympathy, be full of fraternal love, compassion, and affability.

I answer, with regard to the licentious, it is best for a man, to have his wife; and for a woman to have her husband.

a bishop therefore ought to be of an unspotted character, to have but one wife, to be sober, prudent, grave, hospitable, and qualified for teaching:

but he reply'd, 'tis not everyman can live single, but only such as have the gift of continency.

as it is written, " there is none righteous, no not one: