2. Singleness (3 Occurrences)... 2. God may call a believer to singleness for a season of life and marriage for another season. The Doctrine of Creation: A Constructive Kuyperian Approach (Part 3), The Doctrine of Creation: A Constructive Kuyperian Approach (Part 2), The Doctrine of Creation: A Constructive Kuyperian Approach (Part 1), Pursuing a Principled Government—John Witherspoon (1723 – 1794). At the other extreme, singles groups in some churches are seen as mere holding tanks where believers remain only until they can marry. At one extreme, some have regarded the unmarried life as an elevated spiritual realm, a blessing that only the godliest can handle. She had no other obligations. Biblical Characters Who Were Great Examples of Singleness. Because He has called you to singleness at age 30 doesn’t mean you will still be single at 40 or 50. Paul’s statement that singles must exercise “self-control” and his accompanying exhortation, “It is better to marry than to be aflame with passion” (1 Corinthians 7:9), indicate that unmarried Christians face a battle to abstain from sexual intimacy outside marriage. Simplicity; sincerity; purity of mind or purpose; freedom from duplicity; as singleness of belief; singleness of heart. Unmarried; as a single man; a single woman. 1. The Lord has a perfect plan for each portion of each believer’s life. —Psalm 138:2, KJV. Regarding marriage and singleness, Paul told the Corinthians, “Only let each person lead the life . Preservation of Scripture, Preservation of the Sanctified. For some, singleness is a temporary calling. Selected from among a number. 1st John 5:7: The best proof of the Trinity you might not have read! (Incidentally, Paul said married Christians also have unique struggles that singles don’t face [1 Corinthians 7:28-35].) (n.) Freedom from duplicity, or secondary and selfish ends; purity of mind or purpose; simplicity; sincerity; as, singleness of purpose; singleness of heart ... /s/singleness.htm - 7k. 10. The state of being one only or separate from all others; the opposite of doubleness, complication or multiplicity. Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828. At times, God’s people are also called to an office of service (Hebrews 5:4). Celibacy brings the freedom to serve God unencumbered (Verses 32-35). How Should We Respond to Old Testament Polygamy? charisma) from God. Most likely, that is part of what Paul has in mind here, because he also speaks of singleness as an assignment (1 Corinthians 7:17) and an opportunity for “undivided devotion to the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:35). As 1 Corinthians 7 indicates, singleness is, if anything, a higher calling. It means “to choose for receipt of a special benefit or experience.” In the New Testament, being “called” by God to anything is an overwhelmingly positive experience. By using our website, you agree to our Cookie Policy. Simplicity (12 Occurrences)... 9:13 margin), tom, "completeness," "integrity" (2 Samuel 15:11), "They went in their simplicity." Singleness is a gift that should be used to serve the church. No single man is born with a right of controlling the opinions of all the rest. Paul also penned this passage during a season of "great distress" (1 Corinthians 7:26), or scary spiritual persecution. Separate; one; only; individual; consisting of one only; as a single star; a single city; a single act. 1. 7. As some have wisely counselled, “Run as hard as you can toward God, and if someone keeps up, introduce yourself.” Conversely, just because He called you to marriage at 20 doesn’t mean He won’t call you to live the final 20 years of your life as a widow or widower. As a matter of fact the Bible has some great examples of folks that are single. 4. Of course, marriage is also a gift and a calling. 2. By placing singleness in this category of calling, God is obviously not classifying it as a position of second-class citizenship in His Church. The state of being one only or separate from all others; the opposite of doubleness, complication or multiplicity. In contrast, the Bible presents a third way of viewing singleness in 1 Corinthians 7, one that the church needs to recover. Paul has much to say about singleness in First Corinthians 7. Includes tens of thousands of topical, encyclopedic, dictionary, and commentary entries all linked to verses, fully searchable by topic or verse reference. For a complete Scripture study system, try SwordSearcher Bible Software, which includes the unabridged version of this dictionary.