In the beginning, God put man (Adam) “into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it” (Genesis 2:15). His work was to be in the garden. Then God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him” (Genesis 2:18). Then we are told, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” ( Genesis 2:24). God then told them to “be fruitful and multiply…” (Genesis 2:28). This was God’s original intention and design for men and women.

Then sin entered into the world. Sin entered the man’s work in the garden. “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread…” (Genesis 3:19). Women will experience pain in childbirth and “thy desire shall be to they husband, and he shall rule over thee” (Genesis 3:16). Work for men would be fraught with difficulties. Childbirth for women would be fraught with difficulties and marriage would be too. Sin corrupted everything.

The Apostle Paul comes along and tells the unmarried and widows that “it is good for them if they abide even as I am [single]” (1 Corinthians 7:8), but he does make it clear that he speaks this by “permission and not of commandment” (1 Corinthians 7:6). Then he adds, “…for it is better to marry than to burn” (1 Corinthians 7:9).

In 1 Corinthians 7:34, he wrote, “The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.”

Has God’s original design for marriage and childbearing been wiped out due to the Fall? No. Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 5:10 that older widows are to be known for bringing up children. He commands young widows to “marry, bear children, guide the house…” (1 Timothy 5:14). He also tells us that women will be saved in childbearing “if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety” (1 Timothy 2:15). He commands the older women to teach the young women to be lovers of their husbands and children (Titus 2:3-5).

The Apostle Paul does not negate God’s original design for men and women but he knows that since the Fall, we live far from an ideal world so he gives principles to live by, yet he still champions marriage and childbearing. He knows that most men burn and should marry. He knows that women are more protected and provided for when cared for by a husband. The leaders in the churches (elders and deacons) are to be the “husband of one wife” and have their “children in subjection with all gravity” (1 Timothy 2:4). The Apostle still clearly held to the importance of marriage and having children.

Paul warned believers to flee fornication. The cure for this should be marriage since he knows that most burn. He remained single for the purpose of preaching the Gospel. Women have never been given this command – to preach the Gospel. The unmarried women are to be holy in body and in spirit, not spend their youth chasing the feminist agenda which is far from God’s will for them.

No, not every woman will marry. Some will never be asked. Some will be asked but not want to marry those who have asked them. God’s command to them is to be holy in body and in spirit. They are to be chaste, set apart, and holy. Singleness is not so they can pursue selfish pleasures but to live their lives glorifying the Lord. Many women who are choosing to not get married and have children are living with men and aborting their babies. This is NOT God’s will for women and only hurts them and society. God’s ways build up societies. Satan’s ways tear them down. Satan is against marriage and children. He loves fornication, divorce, and abortion. Consider this carefully. Be wise, women.

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
Proverbs 18:22