Singleness is a part of life most people are familiar with. There are many examples of the gift of singleness in the Bible, and Paul even speaks about it in 1 Corinthians 7. Is singleness a better state for Christians to be in than marriage?
There are a lot of examples of single people in the Bible, just as there are many examples of marriage. The gift of singleness is neither better nor worse than marriage, but it does have some benefits that marriage does not have.
The desire for companionship is not an unholy desire to have, and marriage is a wonderful fulfillment of that want. While that is the case, keep in mind marriage is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly.
What is the gift of singleness, and is it better than marriage? Let’s talk about the gifts of singleness and marriage. Share on XThe Gift of Singleness: Neither Bad nor Good
For some, singleness is the best path for them in their life, and for others, it is better to be married. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7:8-9 that he believes it is better to be unmarried than to be married as he is. But he then goes on to remind his readers what the Bible says about marriage (1 Corinthians 7:10-11).
At the end of the day, the biblical laws of marriage do not say which is better, to be married or to be single. Paul believes that it is better to be single, but there are many examples in the Bible where marriage and remarriage was a good thing like in the story of Ruth. The glory of God can be accomplished on either path according to the Bible.
The Desire for Companionship
So even if Paul says he thinks it is better to be unmarried he makes it clear that he is not speaking for God at that moment. For the most part (Paul excluded), many of us are designed with the desire for companionship built in. God says in Genesis that it is not good for man to be alone and then created Eve for him. So while singleness is a gift, marriage is also a gift from God.
Marriage is a Responsibility
Finally, marriage is a responsibility that should not be taken on lightly. You are merging two lives into one, which takes time, effort, and patience. If you are single, and you want to be married be sure it is the right person for you.
The match needs to be good on multiple levels, not just from a religious standpoint. You need to agree on how you want to spend money, how you want to raise your children, where you will live, how your household needs to be run, and many other factors.
Talk with ORBC Elders
To recap, both singleness and marriage are gifts but of different kinds. One is not greater than the other, but they do suit different people. It is up to you to determine which one you are called to, but know that marriage is a huge responsibility that is not to be taken lightly. If you would like more information on this subject, reach out to one of our elders or pastors to speak more on the subject of singleness.
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