Singleness - Impact 2016

Singleness, a theology:

39% of Uk are single
29% of church are


OT - to be single and childless is seen to be under a curse from God
NT - Jesus is really positive about singleness and Paul says 'I wish you all were single'

Why is singleness a bad thing in the OT and then a good thing in the NT?

First of all we need to bear in mind that the Bible is one big story:

Eden - the story starts with a promise for restoration and therefore marriage and having children is really important.

Abram - God makes an unconditional promise. The promise of the serpent crusher is handed to Abraham. Therefore having children is really important. 

Moses - Pharaoh isn't pleased with the number of children they're having. God gives them a new covenant, a covenant of law and God promises that if they keep God's law then God he will give them the blessings of the law. In ancient Israel if you don't have kids it's seen as something that is happening to you because you are a law breaker.

Isaiah - In a time of judgement and during the exile the prophets come and call out the promise of an offspring, one single child who will make a huge difference. The servant songs in Isaiah are about this offspring. 'When his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days.' Through this one individual will come many offspring. Then there is the song of the barren woman in which it says the barren woman is going to be more blessed and have more children than her neighbour who has natural offsprings. Eunuchs also are promised that rather then being called 'dry trees' they will be given a name better than sons.

Jesus - The 'one' single offspring comes. The promises aren't fulfilled through having lots of children but through the one offspring from God. Before Christ childlessness was a curse, after Christ, anyone can receive the blessings of the covenant. Jesus tells us that in the new creation there will be no marriage, he points further than our day. 

When the disciples hear Jesus' teaching on marriage they respond by saying 'if that's the case it'd be better not to marry,' to which Jesus says 'yes, you're right.' He says then 'not everyone can receive it' (Mt. 19:10), in other words 'not everyone can handle it.

Jesus says that there are Eunuchs from birth, or who are made Eunuchs by men and then says something really quite shocking when he says 'and there are those who will become Eunuchs for the kingdom' as a devoted single servant of the king. This is remarkable especially in light of the Bible's story as a whole and its emphasis on childbearing and blessing.

Paul on singleness:

• I wish you were all single like I am.
• Singleness also means celibacy.
• Being single doesn't make you superior.
• If you're single and want to get married, that's ok.

Why does he say singleness is good?

Ans. There was 'present distress' in Corinth at the time, because time is at a premium now, and singleness gives you freedom from anxiety (worldly concerns).

Conclusion: Singleness is good. This side of Jesus things have changed, singleness is no longer a curse but a blessing.