Melanie
Being single is not a sin. In fact, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, never married and remained single His entire life. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, also remained single his entire life. Paul even wrote in 1 Corinthians 7 that it is good for a man to remain single.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| --- | --- |
| Being single is a sin | False |
| Being single is not a sin | True |
What You'll Learn
Singleness is not a sin
Many Christians today, especially those who are married, are under the mistaken impression that the Bible teaches that singleness is a sin, or that it is somehow inferior to marriage.
However, the Bible does not teach that singleness is a sin, nor does it teach that singleness is inferior to marriage.
The Bible teaches that singleness is a gift from God, and that it is a good thing.
The Apostle Paul, who was single, said in 1 Corinthians 7:7,
> I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
The Greek word used for "gift" in that verse is "charisma" (literally 'grace gift') and is the same word used in chapter 12 about spiritual gifts. Singleness is a good gift from a good God.
Jesus Christ was single, and he was the perfect human. Paul advocated for singleness and even dubbed it a "higher calling" than marriage: "He who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better" (1 Cor. 7:38).
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Singleness is a gift
The church needs to recognise that singleness is a gift, and to honour and celebrate it. It needs to recognise that singleness is a legitimate calling from God, and that it is good. It needs to create a community where singleness is welcomed and supported, and where those who are single are not left to struggle alone. It needs to create a community where singleness is not seen as a problem to be fixed, but as a gift to be celebrated. It needs to create a community where those who are single are not left to struggle alone, but are supported and encouraged by those who are married. It needs to create a community where those who are single are not seen as incomplete, but as whole people who have a valuable contribution to make. It needs to create a community where those who are single are not seen as immature, but as mature adults who have much to offer. It needs to create a community where those who are single are not seen as a problem to be fixed, but as people who are loved and valued for who they are.
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Singleness is a glimpse of the eternal marriage
Singleness is a gift from God, and it is good. Jesus was single, and he was the perfect human. Paul advocated for singleness and even dubbed it a "higher calling" than marriage: Singleness is a glimpse of the eternal marriage between Christ and the church, and there will no longer be any need for its signpost. The new world order ushered in with the death and resurrection of Jesus will have reached its fulfilment—an order where Jesus' "mother and... brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it" (Luke 8:21), and where "humanity in the presence of God will know a community in which the fidelity of love which marriage makes possible will be extended beyond the limits of marriage".
In heaven, we won't be restricted to knowing our spouse, children and perhaps a few others really well; we will be able to know all those who belong to Christ really well.
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Singleness is a glimpse of the eternal community
In the resurrection, there will be no marriage, for the great marriage between Christ and the church will have taken place. In heaven, we will not be restricted to knowing our spouse, children, and a few others really well; we will be able to know all those who belong to Christ really well.
In the new world order, the ordinary pattern for humanity is marriage and family life. However, the new creation was made for marriage. Singleness is our future. In heaven, we will know a community in which the fidelity of love which marriage makes possible will be extended beyond the limits of marriage.
Humanity in the presence of God will know a community in which the intimacy of a sexual relationship will be extended beyond the limits of marriage. Single people offer a glimpse of this kind of society. They are harbingers of an aspect of heavenly community, because they're not constrained by family boundaries of genetics and kinship. They know how care and intimacy can go beyond family boundaries. They nudge members of families out of the introverted obsession with family life that becomes its dark side. They remind families that God calls everyone into the 'great multitude', and they call couples and families to attend to the wider community, and to point to heaven.
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Singleness is not a curse
The Bible says that God respects singleness as much as he does marriage.
Jesus Christ never married or had any children, nor did the Apostle Paul.
Jesus was the perfect human, and he was single.
Singleness is not a sin.
Singleness is not a punishment.
Singleness is not a disease.
Singleness is not a shameful thing.
Singleness is not something to be pitied.
Singleness is not something to be mocked.
Singleness is not something to be looked down upon.
Singleness is not something to be avoided.
Singleness is not something to be feared.
Singleness is not something to be despised.
Singleness is not something to be shunned.
Singleness is not something to be hidden.
Singleness is not something to be embarrassed about.
Singleness is not something to be ashamed of.
Singleness is not something to be avoided at all costs.
Singleness is not a sin.
Singleness is not a punishment.
Singleness is not a disease.
Singleness is not a shameful thing.
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Frequently asked questions
No, being single is not a sin. Jesus Christ was single, and he was the Son of God. The Apostle Paul was also single, and he was used by God to write much of the New Testament.
No, being single is not a curse. Singleness is a gift from God, and it is a good thing.
No, being single is not a punishment. Singleness is a gift from God, and it is a good thing.
