Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5650 Human relationships » 5736 singleness Not being married; the state prior to betrothal or following separation or the death of a spouse. In Scripture, an unmarried woman generally lives with, and is the responsibility of, her family. Whilst the unmarried are freer of worldly concerns and may devote themselves more fully to God, those already married should not separate, and those without the gift of celibacy should not remain single. Responsibility for an unmarried woman An unmarried woman is responsible to her father Deuteronomy 22:16 See also Exodus 2:21; Numbers 30:3-5; Judges 1:12-13; 1 Samuel 18:17,21 An unmarried woman is dependent on her brothers Leviticus 21:3 See also Genesis 24:51; Genesis 34:14-15; Ezekiel 44:25 Widowed or divorced women could return to their parents' home Ruth 1:8-13 See also Genesis 38:11; Leviticus 22:13; Judges 19:2 Regulations relating to the unmarried Deuteronomy 20:7; Deuteronomy 22:20-21,28-29 The unwelcome prospect of remaining unmarried Judges 11:37-39; Isaiah 54:6 See also Genesis 19:31-32; Isaiah 49:20-21; Isaiah 62:4; Hosea 2:2; Galatians 4:27; Isaiah 54:1 Celibacy Celibacy is a calling from God 1 Corinthians 7:7 See also Jeremiah 16:2; Matthew 19:10-12 It is better to marry than to burn with passion: 1 Corinthians 7:9,36; 1 Timothy 5:11-14 Believers should remain as they are when called 1 Corinthians 7:25-28 See also 1 Corinthians 7:10,12-13,17,24 Sexual abstinence within marriage is strictly limited 1 Corinthians 7:2-6 See also Exodus 19:15; 1 Samuel 21:4-5 The desirability of being unmarried 1 Corinthians 7:8 See also 1 Corinthians 7:1,11,37-38 The unmarried may devote themselves to God 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 See also Luke 14:20,26; Acts 21:9; 1 Timothy 5:5 Marriage belongs to a passing order Matthew 22:30 pp Mark 12:25 pp Luke 20:35 See also 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 See also
5309 eunuchs |
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