In this chapter Paul deals with a number of issues related to marriage and divorce—and in the midst of it he tells his readers that, if he could, he would have people stay single. He sees a lot of advantages to the single state.
Often singles feel like a neglected group at church. So much in a church (our church in particular) is oriented around families and youth and marriage that single people can feel left out. Without meaning to, we can give the impression that being single is just a transition to real (married) life.
In fact, people today can spend a significant length of time as single adults. People are postponing marriage to later in life for a number of reasons. We live longer, and that means for some a longer season as a widow or widower. And, as we know, divorce happens more frequently so that more people experience a time as a single divorced adult.
There is no one type of single person—you may be not yet married, not ever married, not married now.
