19 Bible Verses about Singleness

for it is written, "rejoice thou barren, that bearest not; break out into loud acclamations, thou that hast not the travels of childbirth, for more are the children of the desolate, than of her that hath an 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.

thereupon his disciples said, if the case between man and wife be such, it is best not to marry. but he reply'd, 'tis not everyman can live single, but only such as have the gift of continency. 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.

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

as for young widows, don't admit them: for being impatient of religious restraint, they will be marry'd: for which they are much to be condemn'd, because they violate the engagements they had before enter'd into: besides, having nothing to do, they get the habit of rambling from one house to another, and are not only idling, but prattle and intermeddle, and utter what is not decent.read more.
I enjoin therefore the young women to marry, to detest abortion, to govern their families, and give our enemies no handle for reproach.

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

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:

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. let the husband discharge his obligations to his wife: and likewise the wife to the husband. the wife has not the right of her own person, but the husband: and so likewise the husband has not the right of his own person, but the wife.read more.
don't desert one another, unless you mutually consent to retire for a time, to the solemnity of prayer; and then come together again, lest satan make an attempt upon your continency. but as for the rest, I speak it by way of counsel, and not of command.

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

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

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. 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.read more.
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.

another said, I have married a wife: 'tis therefore impossible for me to come.

he was one of the seven deacons, and had four daughters all virgins, prophetesses.

as for the widow, who is really such, and without any assistance, let her place all her hopes in God, and be assiduous in supplication and prayer.

for in the other life after this, there will be no such thing as marriage; but they will be as the angels of God in heaven.

for when they shall rise from the dead, they neither will marry, nor be given in marriage, but be immortal like the angels in heaven.

but they, who shall be accounted worthy to obtain the resurrection to an eternal life, shall have no concern in marriage, as being immortal:

This I say, brethren, because the time is coming, when they who have wives will be as those that have none; and they that weep, as those that are unconcern'd; and they that rejoice, as those that do not; and they that buy, as those that have no possessions; and they that possess this world, as those that can't make an ill use of it. for the scene of this world is continually shifting. I would have you free from anxiety.