19 Bible Verses about Singleness

for it has been written, "Rejoice, O barren, that bear not! Break forth and cry, you that travail not! because many are the children of the desolate, rather than of her who has the husband."

And I wish all men to be even as myself. Each one, however, has his own gift from God; one, indeed, after this manner, and another, after that.

The disciples say to Him, "If the case of the man is so with his wife, it is not expedient to marry." But He said to them, "Not all can receive this saying, but those to whom it has been given; for there are eunuchs who were so born from their mother's womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it."

But, if they have not continency let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn.

But younger widows refuse; for, when they grow wanton against Christ, they wish to marry, having condemnation, because they set aside their first faith. And, at the same time, they learn to be idle, going around from house to house, and not only idle, but tattlers also and busy-bodies, speaking things which they ought not.read more.
I desire, therefore, that younger widows marry, bear children, rule a house-hold, give no occasion to the adversary for reproach;

Now, concerning the virgins, I have no commandment of the Lord; but I give my judgment, as having received mercy from the Lord to be faithful. I think, therefore, that this is good on account of the impending distress; namely, that it is good for a man to be thus. Have you become bound to a wife? Seek not a release. Have you been loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.read more.
But, even if you marry, you did not sin; and, if a virgin marry, she did not sin. Yet such will have tribulation in the flesh; and I am sparing you.

And to the married I give command??ot I, but the Lord??hat the wife depart not from her husband;

but, because of fornications, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. Let the husband render to the wife her due; and, in like manner, the wife to the husband. The wife has not authority over her own body, but the husband; and, in like manner also, the husband has not authority over his own body, but the wife.read more.
Defraud not one the other, except by consent for a Season, that ye may have leisure for prayer, and may be together again, that Satan tempt you not because of your incontinency. But this I say by way of permission, not of command.

Now I say to the unmarried and to the widows, it is good for them, if they remain even as I am.

Now concerning the things of which ye wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman;

But I wish you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; but he that is married is anxious for the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and has become divided. And the unmarried woman and the virgin is anxious for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but she that is married is anxious for the things of the world, that she may please her husband.read more.
And this I say for your own profit; not that I may cast restraint upon you, but for that which is seemly, and compatible with constant devotion to the Lord without distraction.

And another said, 'I married a wife; and, therefore, I cannot come.'

And this man had four daughters, virgins, who prophesied.

Now she that is really a widow, and left alone, has set her hope on God, and continues in supplications and prayers, night and day.

for in the resurrection, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as angels in Heaven.

For, when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels in Heaven.

but those accounted worthy to obtain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage;

But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened; that henceforth both those who have wives may be as though they had none; and those who weep, as though they wept not; and those who rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and those who buy, as though they possessed not; and those who use the world, as not using it to the full; for the fashion of this world is passing away.