The Bible honors singleness as a good way to live, not a lesser one. Paul, who was single when he wrote, said, "every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that" (1 Corinthians 7:7), and "It is good for them if they abide even as I" (1 Corinthians 7:8). Jesus, also unmarried, promised His followers a new family: "whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother" (Mark 3:35).
Whether you have never married, are single again after divorce or the death of a spouse, are waiting and hoping for marriage, or have chosen to stay single, you may sometimes feel out of place in a church world that seems built around couples and families. The Bible tells a fuller story. Jesus never married. Paul was single when he wrote some of his letters and spoke warmly of the freedom singleness can bring. Jeremiah was told not to marry, and Anna served God for decades as a widow. These twelve King James verses show what Jesus and Paul said about singleness, God's promise of a place, a name and a family for every believer, and wisdom for waiting well if you hope to marry. For the hard days, see Bible verses about loneliness; for dating, see Bible verses for your boyfriend and girlfriend.
What Paul and Jesus said about singleness
1. 1 Corinthians 7:7
"For 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."
Paul wished others could share his single life, but he immediately added that every man hath his proper gift of God. Both marriage and singleness can be gifts, and God gives them differently to different people, sometimes for a season and sometimes for life. Your current state is not a sign that God has forgotten you or that something is wrong with you. It is the place where He is working with you today.
2. 1 Corinthians 7:8
"I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I."
Paul speaks directly to the unmarried and widows: It is good for them if they abide even as I. In a culture that expected everyone to marry, this was a striking statement. Single people are not half-people waiting for life to begin. They can live full, fruitful, joyful lives now. Many of the church's greatest servants, from Paul himself onward, served God as single people.
3. 1 Corinthians 7:34
"There 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."
Paul observes that the unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, while a married woman rightly cares about pleasing her husband. He says the same of men (1 Corinthians 7:32-33). Singleness can bring a particular freedom: time, flexibility and focus to serve God and others in ways that are harder with a family. Paul says he writes this not to restrict anyone, but so they could serve the Lord "without distraction" (1 Corinthians 7:35).
4. Matthew 19:11
"But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given."
When Jesus taught on marriage, His disciples said it might be better not to marry (Matthew 19:10). Jesus replied, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. He then spoke of some who stay unmarried for the kingdom of heaven's sake (Matthew 19:12). Jesus did not make singleness a requirement or marriage a requirement. Each is a calling some are given.
A place, a name and a family
5. Isaiah 56:4-5
"For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; Even 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."
In ancient Israel, eunuchs could never have children, and family line meant everything. God promised them a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters, an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. If you fear that without marriage or children your life will be forgotten, this promise is for you. God Himself gives a lasting place to those who choose what pleases Him. Acts 8 tells of an Ethiopian eunuch who was welcomed and baptized.
6. Mark 10:29-30
"And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life."
Jesus promised that anyone who left family or home for His sake would receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children. He was describing the church: a family of brothers, sisters, mothers and children in the faith. Single believers are meant to belong deeply in God's household. If your church does not feel like that yet, you can help build it, and others need you as much as you need them.
7. Mark 3:35
"For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother."
When Jesus' mother and brothers came looking for Him, He pointed to the people around Him and said, whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother. Jesus redefined family around Himself. Every believer, married or single, has spiritual brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers. Holidays and Sundays can be lonely for single people; this verse is a reminder to invite one another in.
8. Psalms 16:5
"The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot."
The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup. In Israel each family received a portion of land, but the priestly tribe of Levi received none; God Himself was their portion (Numbers 18:20). The psalmist claims the same for himself. Whatever you do or do not have, God is enough to fill your life with meaning. The next verse adds, "The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places" (Psalm 16:6).
Waiting well, and marrying well
9. Song of Solomon 8:4
"I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, until he please."
Three times the Song of Solomon gives this charge: stir not up, nor awake my love, until he please (also 2:7 and 3:5). It is wise counsel for anyone longing for romance: do not rush love or force it before the right time. Waiting well means not settling for the wrong relationship out of loneliness, and not letting the longing for marriage take over your whole life.
10. 1 Corinthians 7:28
"But 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."
After praising singleness, Paul is careful to say, if thou marry, thou hast not sinned. Marriage is good too. If you hope to marry, that desire is not wrong or unspiritual. Paul is honest that married people shall have trouble in the flesh, the ordinary pressures of family life. Neither path is trouble-free, and neither is second best. Both can be lived for God's glory.
11. 1 Corinthians 7:17
"But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches."
As the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. Paul's advice for every season is to live faithfully where God has placed you now. Do not put your life on hold until a wedding. Serve, grow, make friends, build a home, use your gifts, and give generously. If God brings marriage, you will bring a full, God-shaped life into it. If not, your life is still full.
12. Hosea 2:19
"And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies."
Through the prophet Hosea, God speaks to His people like a bridegroom: I will betroth thee unto me for ever, in lovingkindness, and in mercies. Every human marriage is meant to point to this deeper love, which belongs to every believer, single or married. Whatever your relationship status, you are fully known and fully loved by God, who has promised Himself to you for ever.
A short prayer
Lord, thank You that my life matters to You right now, just as I am. Thank You for being my portion and for giving me a family in Your church. When I feel lonely, left out or impatient, remind me of Your love. If I hope to marry, help me wait well and choose wisely; if You call me to stay single, help me embrace it with joy. Use my time, gifts and freedom to serve You and love the people around me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
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Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about being single?
The Bible presents singleness as a good and honored way of life. Jesus was single, Paul called singleness a gift and said "It is good for them if they abide even as I" (1 Corinthians 7:8), and Isaiah 56:5 promises "an everlasting name" to those without children. Marriage is also good (1 Corinthians 7:28; Hebrews 13:4). Both are callings, and God gives each person a place in His family.
Is the word single in the Bible?
The King James Version uses single only twice, and both times about the eye, not marital status: "if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light" (Matthew 6:22; see also Luke 11:34). The KJV uses unmarried four times, all in 1 Corinthians 7, the Bible's longest discussion of marriage and singleness.
Does God promise me a spouse?
The Bible does not promise marriage to every believer. Many people quote Psalm 37:4, "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart" (Psalm 37:4), but it is a promise about delighting in God, not a guarantee of a particular outcome. What God does promise is His presence, a family in His church and a meaningful life. You can bring your desire for marriage to Him honestly. See desires of your heart.
How can I be content while single?
Paul wrote, "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content" (Philippians 4:11). Contentment is learned, not instant. Invest in deep friendships, serve in your church, build a life you enjoy, be honest with God about hard days, and ask for help when loneliness turns into depression. It is not good for anyone to be completely alone (Genesis 2:18), but marriage is not the only answer to that. See Bible verses about loneliness.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
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