singlehood
What does the Bible say about singlehood? These are the passages readers found most helpful — tap any citation to read it in context.
10 passages · most helpful first
1Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2But, because of fornication, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. 3A husband should fulfill his obligation to his wife, and a wife should also act similarly toward her husband. 4It is not the wife, but the husband, who has power over her body. But, similarly also, it is not the husband, but the wife, who has power over his body. 5So, do not fail in your obligations to one another, except perhaps by consent, for a limited time, so that you may empty yourselves for prayer. And then, return together again, lest Satan tempt you by means of your abstinence. 6But I am saying this, neither as an indulgence, nor as a commandment.
8But I say to the unmarried and to widows: It is good for them, if they would remain as they are, just as I also am.
32But I would prefer you to be without worry. Whoever is without a wife is worried about the things of the Lord, as to how he may please God.
7For I would prefer it if you were all like myself. But each person has his proper gift from God: one in this way, yet another in that way.
18The Lord God also said: “It is not good for the man to be alone. Let us make a helper for him similar to himself.”
11I am not saying this as if out of need. For I have learned that, in whatever state I am, it is sufficient. 12I know how to be humbled, and I know how to abound. I am prepared for anything, anywhere: either to be full or to be hungry, either to have abundance or to endure scarcity. 13Everything is possible in him who has strengthened me.
7It is God who makes men dwell in a house under one custom. He leads out those who are strongly bound, and similarly, those who exasperate, who dwell in sepulchers.
31Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever else you may do, do everything for the glory of God.
1Now king David had become elderly, and he had many days in his lifetime. And though he was covered with clothes, he was not warmed. 2Therefore, his servants said to him: “Let us seek, for our lord the king, a young virgin. And let her stand before the king, and warm him, and sleep in his bosom, and provide warmth for our lord the king.” 3And so they sought a beautiful young woman in all the parts of Israel. And they found Abishag, a Shunammite, and they led her to the king. 4Now the girl was exceedingly beautiful. And she slept with the king, and she ministered to him. Yet truly, the king did not know her. 5Then Adonijah, the son of Haggith, exalted himself, saying, “I shall reign!” And he appointed for himself chariots and horsemen, with fifty men who would run before him. 6Neither did his father chastise him at any time, saying, “Why have you done this?” Now he, too, was very beautiful, the second in birth, after Absalom.
14And you have said, “What is the reason for this?” It is because the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, whom you have despised. Yet she was your partner, and the wife of your covenant.