To remain single doesn’t mean loneliness. It is just the idea of this world that often looks down on the least or minority, or on a single individual. I do not intend to teach that this study is aimed at crossing the “No man is an island” reality. Living with somebody is a little different with living by yourself, and a lot different with living all alone. But why there’s a lot to rejoice when you remained single?
IT IS A GIFT
“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. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.” 1Co 7:7-8
Paul here is so positive despite the fact that he has no partner concerning the flesh. A partner is not just somebody who becomes your helpmate, but somebody you promised to build all your dreams as long as you breathes. In the case above, Paul has none, yet he dreamt of many things beyond our aspiration. He did many things, but he was never all alone. Consider the fact that he is single; it doesn’t make it any sense for him for having no wife beside him.
Paul by saying this verse does not teach celibacy for ministers. We can be reminded that one requirement for a bishop as told in 1 Tim.3:2; Tit. 1:6 is one with a wife. These verses are also written so that we can know part of what a devil’s doctrine is, and that is including forbidding to marry (1 Tim.4:1-3). The doctrine of celibacy for ministers by a certain groups is only a mere show in the flesh. In fact Paul said;
“Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?” 1Co 9:5
It is not true, that because you have a family, or you have a partner, that you are more blest than others who remained single. There is no scripture to back that up, rather, the opposite. But looking on what Paul said, we are told that it is a GIFT OF GOD. Imagine that singleness is gift to thank God for. Not everyone in this world has it, and many who found partners desired that they soon become one, or if not, they are questioning why they fall for a quick rush to be wed or in a relationship.
God saw something in you to be entrusted with that gift, and it is not that He denied you of something.
IT IS GOOD
“I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.” 1Co 7:8
“Nevertheless he that standeth steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.” 1Co 7:37
Here we can see that those with partners were slightly compared to a single or unmarried. There’s nothing bad in becoming single, it is not even forbidden, and according to the scripture, it is good. “Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful. I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be. Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. 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. But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;” 1Co 7:25-29
It is only due to the sufferings in this world that the married life has more concern, but if one has no wife or husband he has less distraction to attend unto the service of the Lord. It is like freedom from bondage and Paul advised this for a happier life.
“But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.” 1Co 7:40
When you are Single, you only have yourself to worry. Some people might argue with me on this statement, but I’m not speaking on the thought that you are a single who have many individuals depending on your independence. Next is that you only have yourself to work for, but I don’t mean you will be selfish. You can work and support or help others. You only have yourself to make worth. No one will blame you for what you can become unlike when you have partner, you are bound to live for her/him and your pleasure is not yours’. “Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.” 1Co 7:3-4
“…but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.” 1 Co.7:34
You have more freedom in doing things your own, though this doesn’t encourage you to be irresponsible, but when you are a single your responsibility is your own, you have a lot of freedom, especially concerning time, though in the world’s trend nowadays, more youths and single only have time for self and their pleasure. But a single life isn’t that good for such purpose because…
IT HAS GOAL
“Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.”1Co.7:25
Your first goal is faithfulness. You have to remain steadfast because being a single is not without a challenge (36). You will pass through the test of time, but it does not require that you live a solitary life like those in monastery, for trials can come mostly in the time that you are by yourself. “But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry. Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.” 1Co 7:36-37
There are many people who were called to be single. They are servants of God (Rev.7:3-4) and they numbered to 144,000. You will be shocked to find that they lived this life which you might think as impossible for you, but others have done it though it was written to happen in the future time.
“And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.
2And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
3And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
4These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
5And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.”Rev 14:1-5
These people are servants of God. There are many things unique with them, not only that they were virgins, they are the only one who can sing the song, they follow the Lamb wherever He goes, and they are without fault before the throne of God. They serve the Lord without distraction. And this is also the other goal that Paul is saying. “And 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.” 1Co 7:35
“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.” 1Co 7:34
Paul was called by God and though a single, God accomplished many great things in his life with focus. Yes! He had great things to suffer as well (Acts 9:16), but it was overcame by his faithfulness. Be encouraged that you are not alone in God’s good gift and goal for you. You are blessed.
To download or read in PDF, Just Click The Blessing of Being a Single.
Scriptures quoted from the KJV.
Truth Seldom Heard- Now Revealed 