Singleness

Singleness is addressed in the Bible mainly by Paul and by Jesus. This page lists verses on remaining unmarried, God's care for the unmarried, self-control, and companionship.

Paul on remaining unmarried

• 1 Corinthians 7:7-8
  ⁷For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. ⁸I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
  Show context · Read 1 Corinthians 7 →
• 1 Corinthians 7:32-35
  ³²But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: ³³But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. ³⁴There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. ³⁵And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
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• 1 Corinthians 7:27-28
  ²⁷Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. ²⁸But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
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Jesus on those who do not marry

• Matthew 19:10-12
  ¹⁰His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. ¹¹But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. ¹²For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
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God's care for the unmarried

• Isaiah 56:3-5
  ³Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the Lord, speak, saying, The Lord hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. ⁴For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; ⁵Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
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• Psalm 68:6
  God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
  Show context · Read Psalm 68 →

Self-control and marriage

• 1 Corinthians 7:2
  Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
  Show context · Read 1 Corinthians 7 →
• 1 Corinthians 7:9
  But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
  Show context · Read 1 Corinthians 7 →
• 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4
  ³For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: ⁴That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
  Show context · Read 1 Thessalonians 4 →

Created for companionship

• Genesis 2:18
  And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
  Show context · Read Genesis 2 →

See also

• Marriage
• Loneliness
• Sexual immorality
• Contentment

Notes

1. Verses are quoted in the translation chosen in the Translation menu at the top of the page. See Translations for sources and copyright notices.
2. Each reference links to the full chapter so the verse can be read in context.