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In Christ a woman can remain single and celibate if she so wishes.If she is happy to remain celibate there is no obligation to marry.If celibacy is too great a burden there is no prohibition on marriage.If a woman sets out to be celibate and in time finds the need to marry there is nothing to prevent her doing so.In Christ, no ‘vows’ are to be made in the matter.

Paul by inspiration sets it out quite clearly.

1 Corinthians 7:1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.... 6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.  9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.


The single life allows the woman full concentration on a Godly life.Marriage brings to some extent divided loyalty.

1 Corinthians 7:34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. 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.35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

 

For younger women who cannot remain celibate he says:

1 Timothy 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

The writer to the Hebrews says:

Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Marriage is not sin.

1 Corinthians 7:28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.

The disciples asked Jesus a similar question from the male perspective.

Matthew 19:10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.

11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.

12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

Paul says it is possible for him to marry.

1 Corinthians 9:5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

Forbidding marriage is a sign of departure from the faith.

1 Timothy 4:1... in the latter times some shall depart from the faith...3 Forbidding to marry...

A woman can remain single or marry.The choice is entirely up to the woman herself.

I hope this helps.

Glenn Smith