There are quite a few bible verses on singleness, because God knew that we would sometimes go through the season of being single.
You might be single by choice, but I know for many it is circumstantial, you were wishing to be married as in yesterday.
When you are single, it does not mean that you are not beautiful or there is something wrong with you, it is part of God’s plan. And these are some of the reasons why you are single:
- God wants you to fully devote yourself to Him
- He wants you to discover your gift or purpose first
- God wants you to rest in him and experience His love
- He’s trying to protect you from being heartbroken
- He wants to heal you first so that you are not a burden to your spouse
- He’s still preparing your spouse
- He’s making you ready for your spouse
- He wants you to have the best life
You can also check out these causes of marital delay and how to overcome them.
Going through a season of singleness can be tough because you feel lonely. But if you go through this season with God’s word embedded in your heart it can make it a bit easier.
Table of Contents
- Bible verses on singleness
- Bible verses about being single and lonely
- Prayer for singles with Bible verses
- FAQ
Bible verses on singleness
1. You can be single and and have the gift of prophecy (Acts 21:9)
He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.
This scripture is talking about the daughters of Philip, who were single and had the gift of prophecy.
So allow God to show you your purpose in life or to develop your gift while you are still single.
2. It is good to stay single (1 Corinthians 7:8-9)
Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
This scripture shows that there is nothing wrong with being single, if possible, you should pursue a single life. But if you cannot control yourself and have sexual desires, then you should get married.
But this also means that you cannot be single and engage in sexual intercourse. Whilst you are still single, you should exercise self-control.
3. A single woman is devoted to God (1 Corinthians 7:25)
An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit.
This bible verse on singleness means that when you are single, you can be completely devoted to the Lord’s affairs, unlike when you are married. Because when married, you need to seek approval from your husband.
For example, you can’t just decide to go on missionary work for an entire month and leave your husband and kids behind, while if you are single, you can do as you please. So God allows you to be single so that you can do his work.
4. When single you have lesser problems (1 Corinthians 7:28)
But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.
Here it was Paul speaking and what he is saying is quite true. People who are married encounter a lot of challenges. So by God allowing you to be in the season of singleness, he is trying to spare you from this.
5. God will place singles in families (Psalm 68:6)
God sets the lonely in families
When the time is right, know that God will set you in a family, this might be your own physical family with your husband and kids or a spiritual family.
6. God will satisfy you in whatever state (Psalm 107:9)
For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness.
God knows that you have things that you long for as a single person, and he shall satisfy you and also fill you with His goodness.
7. God is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18)
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
You might be brokenhearted at the moment, and you are feeling lonely because you are not married or not in a relationship. But God wants you to know that He is very close to you and he will save you from that feeling.
8. God wants you to seek him first (Matthew 6:33)
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
The bible advises us to seek him first while we are still waiting, and the things you desire, including a family of your own, will be added to you.
9. Live your purpose while in singleness (Exodus 1:15-21)
The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, “When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.” The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?” The midwives answered Pharaoh, “Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.” So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.
Here the bible speaks of Shiphrah and Puah, who were unmarried midwives. These were the midwives who were involved in the birth of Moses. And during that time there was a decree that they should kill all the male babies during childbirth, and these women could not do it because they feared God.
So God allowed them to be single because they had to deliver Moses safely into the world. And when they had successfully done the purpose of God, he gave them families of their own.
10. God wants to set you free from bondage (Luke 8:1-2)
After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out
In this bible verse, you can see that Mary Magdalene had seven demons. God had to set her free before she could be a wife to someone, or else the marriage would not have lasted. And when she was delivered, she was able to serve in ministry.
11. God still wants to fix the life of singles and give them living water (John 4:15-18)
The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”
Here is a woman who had been married 5 times and she was going onto her 6th marriage. But all her marriages failed because she had not found the living water. So allow God to work on you and your future husband so that when you eventually enter into marriage, you can have a lasting and fulfilling marriage.
12. God allows the state of singleness so he can show you love (John 11:1-5)
Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary, and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
The siblings, Lazarus, Mary, and Martha seemed to be in a state of singleness, but Jesus loved all of them. So God allows you to be single so he can show you love.
13. You’ll be found by the right person when the time is right (Esther 2:2,8-9)
Then the king’s personal attendants proposed, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king.When the king’s order and edict had been proclaimed, many young women were brought to the citadel of Susa and put under the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem. She pleased him and won his favor.
This is a scripture about Queen Esther. Esther had to be a virgin for her to be considered by the King. So God allows you to be in a state of singleness so that you can be found by the king when the time is right.
14. Do not force love (Song of Songs: 2:7/ 3:5/ 8:4)
Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.
The bible encourages us not to awaken love until it desires. We sometimes force to be in relationships while God wants us to be single.
15. God has other plans for you (Luke 2:36-38)
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Sometimes marriage can be short-lived and you have to deal with the pain of losing the person you loved, just like Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah. So it is sometimes God’s way of protecting you from this painful experience.
But in this scripture, you can see that God gave Anna the gift of prophecy and she spent all her life in the temple after her husband’s passing.
16. God will give you your own spouse (Genesis 2:18)
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
At the right time God will make you a suitable helper for your man, just trust and wait on him.
Bible verses about being single and lonely
1. It is not good to be alone (Genesis 2:18)
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
You might feel single and lonely right now, but God is preparing you into a suitable helper for your spouse.
2. God will find the lonely a family (Psalm 68:6)
God sets the lonely in families
In this bible verse, God promises to set the lonely in families.
3. People might reject you but God will stand with you (2 Timothy 4:16)
At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear.
Friends and people that you loved might have rejected you, but remember that the Lord is with you and he will strengthen you and use you mightily.
4. Do not be afraid and think you’re alone (Joshua 1:9 )
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
You might feel alone right now, but God promises to be with you wherever you go.
Prayer for singles with Bible verses
Prayer 1
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Heavenly Father, your word in Romans 8:28 says that all things work together for good of those who love you
May I see the good in being single and may I discover my purpose
In the name of Jesus, Amen
Prayer 2
Ecclesiastes 4:9-11
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
Lord your word in Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 says two is better than one, I ask for a life partner so that I can also enjoy the benefits that come with being two, in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Prayer 3
Isaiah 62:5
As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.
Lord according to your word in Isaiah 62:5, may I experience this gift of marriage, and see my bridegroom rejoice over me, in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Prayer 4
1 Corinthians 7:2
But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.
Lord, your word in 1 Corinthians 7:2 says each woman should have sexual relations with her own husband
I don’t want to be sexually immoral, I want to have my own spouse
In the name of Jesus, Amen
Prayer 5
James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Lord I ask for the gift of marriage, for your word in James 1:17 says that every good and perfect gift is from above, in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Prayer 6
Proverbs 19:14
Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.
Lord, make me a prudent wife to my husband in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Read more: 12 bible verses for praying for a life partner
FAQ
Where in the Bible does it say it is better to be single?
1 Corinthians 7:8-9
Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
1 Corinthians 7:28
But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.
What Paul says about being single?
1 Corinthians 7:8-9
Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
1 Corinthians 7:25
An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit.
1 Corinthians 7:28
But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.
Where does it talk about being single in the Bible
Acts 21:9
He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.
1 Corinthians 7:8-9
Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
1 Corinthians 7:25
An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit.
1 Corinthians 7:28
But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.
Genesis 2:18
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
What does the Bible say about singleness of heart?
Ezekiel 11:19 (NLT)
And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.
Jeremiah 32:39 (NIV)
I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them.
