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They Were Single Too: 8 Biblical Role Models
New Revised Ediiton also available
For singles who want to live a godly, biblical life amid all the issues of singleness, there can be no better examples than the lives of Bible characters who have blazed the trail.
Years ago, David Hoffeditz was presented with a question: How does one walk with the Lord in the midst of living single? Countless books have been written on the topic--how to cope with singleness, how to begin a thriving singles' ministry, and how to provide an inspirational "Kumbaya land"--but there are no thorough studies about what the Bible says and what the biblical singles have to say.
After struggling with the issue, Hoffeditz realized that there were biblical figures that had been single at some point in their adult lives--Paul, John the Baptist, Anna, Joseph, Ruth, and three others. And through studying their lives and situations, Hoffeditz reached the conclusion that liberates singles from the shackles placed by themselves and others. He realized that these preconceived notions, biases, and cultural ideals must give way to the wisdom of God's Word.
In this thorough examination of singleness in Scripture, singles will discover, as the author did, spiritual freedom in the midst of living single.
For singles who want to live a godly, biblical life amid all the issues of singleness, there can be no better examples than the lives of Bible characters who have blazed the trail.
Years ago, David Hoffeditz was presented with a question: How does one walk with the Lord in the midst of living single? Countless books have been written on the topic--how to cope with singleness, how to begin a thriving singles' ministry, and how to provide an inspirational "Kumbaya land"--but there are no thorough studies about what the Bible says and what the biblical singles have to say.
After struggling with the issue, Hoffeditz realized that there were biblical figures that had been single at some point in their adult lives--Paul, John the Baptist, Anna, Joseph, Ruth, and three others. And through studying their lives and situations, Hoffeditz reached the conclusion that liberates singles from the shackles placed by themselves and others. He realized that these preconceived notions, biases, and cultural ideals must give way to the wisdom of God's Word.
In this thorough examination of singleness in Scripture, singles will discover, as the author did, spiritual freedom in the midst of living single.
144 pages, Paperback
First published October 5, 2005
17 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
David M. Hoffeditz
6 booksDavid M. Hoffeditz is cofounder and director of Ancient Tours, which leads several tours a year to biblical lands, and president of Iron-2-Iron Ministries. He also teaches part time at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Hoffeditz has authored iVocab Greek materials and was a contributing author to What the New Testament Authors Really Cared About.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 18, 2018
[Note: This book was provided free of charge by Kregel Book Tours. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]
I have mixed feelings about this book, as is often the case when I read books like this one [1]. On the one hand, I am absolutely sure that these books are being written to me, as a single man but a committed believer. On the other hand, though, I don't often like what they have to say. In this case, we have a book that was written when the author was single originally, but revised now that he is not. Like many books about singles, the author seems to think that his readers need to be lectured to, and even talked down to, and that is something that I tend to take rather personally. While the author recognizes that there are a lot of legitimate gripes about the relationship between singles and organized Christianity, and I have plenty of those gripes myself about the way that single guys can be taken advantage of, the way that business serves as a way to keep loneliness at bay, and the way that it is beyond irritating to deal with continual unfounded rumors and innuendo about one's personal life, the author contributes to a certain degree of negativity by making a lot of critical comments about singles that I found personally irritating and even offensive.
The contents of this book consist of the author discussing eight biblical role models for singlehood, either temporary or permanent, and injects a lot of personal discussion and irritating sermonizing into his discussions as well as making a lot of assumptions about people being single, which may or may not have been the case given the biblical stories he is dealing with. Included in this book are discussions of Paul, Anna, Martha, Jeremiah, Ruth, Joseph, Nehemiah, and John The Baptist, all of whom were single for all or much of their life, at least as far as the Bible deals with them. The people that he chooses gives the author a chance to wax eloquent about the social expectations of marriage and family in biblical times, the way that singles are often busy and are a hard group to get to work together. If this was not enough, at times the author tries to club the reader over the head with unfriendly statistics about singles and their lack of commitment to churches from researchers like Barna.
I'm not sure whether this book's approach was something that was consistent from the beginning, as this is a revised version and it has been recommended to me before that I read this book by another author who deals with the relationship between singles and the church. Perhaps the author meant to be supportive and encouraging to singles, but it did not feel that way upon reading this book. It felt as if the author was happy to be married and was trying to convince singles that it was a blessing to be single, all the while indicating implicitly that he is very happy to no longer be single. And that is, I think, the essential problem with this book and with so many books like it. For the most part, they are written by people who do not remain single and have a fatal contradiction at their core: they are written to encourage singles to be content with their state but are written by people who are anything but content to be single, and they are written to encourage singles to be loyal and devoted to institutions and congregations that are not often very decent and upright in their treatment of singles. One almost thinks that the lecturing this book gives to singles ought to be given to others, especially among the churches. Physicians, heal yourselves.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
I have mixed feelings about this book, as is often the case when I read books like this one [1]. On the one hand, I am absolutely sure that these books are being written to me, as a single man but a committed believer. On the other hand, though, I don't often like what they have to say. In this case, we have a book that was written when the author was single originally, but revised now that he is not. Like many books about singles, the author seems to think that his readers need to be lectured to, and even talked down to, and that is something that I tend to take rather personally. While the author recognizes that there are a lot of legitimate gripes about the relationship between singles and organized Christianity, and I have plenty of those gripes myself about the way that single guys can be taken advantage of, the way that business serves as a way to keep loneliness at bay, and the way that it is beyond irritating to deal with continual unfounded rumors and innuendo about one's personal life, the author contributes to a certain degree of negativity by making a lot of critical comments about singles that I found personally irritating and even offensive.
The contents of this book consist of the author discussing eight biblical role models for singlehood, either temporary or permanent, and injects a lot of personal discussion and irritating sermonizing into his discussions as well as making a lot of assumptions about people being single, which may or may not have been the case given the biblical stories he is dealing with. Included in this book are discussions of Paul, Anna, Martha, Jeremiah, Ruth, Joseph, Nehemiah, and John The Baptist, all of whom were single for all or much of their life, at least as far as the Bible deals with them. The people that he chooses gives the author a chance to wax eloquent about the social expectations of marriage and family in biblical times, the way that singles are often busy and are a hard group to get to work together. If this was not enough, at times the author tries to club the reader over the head with unfriendly statistics about singles and their lack of commitment to churches from researchers like Barna.
I'm not sure whether this book's approach was something that was consistent from the beginning, as this is a revised version and it has been recommended to me before that I read this book by another author who deals with the relationship between singles and the church. Perhaps the author meant to be supportive and encouraging to singles, but it did not feel that way upon reading this book. It felt as if the author was happy to be married and was trying to convince singles that it was a blessing to be single, all the while indicating implicitly that he is very happy to no longer be single. And that is, I think, the essential problem with this book and with so many books like it. For the most part, they are written by people who do not remain single and have a fatal contradiction at their core: they are written to encourage singles to be content with their state but are written by people who are anything but content to be single, and they are written to encourage singles to be loyal and devoted to institutions and congregations that are not often very decent and upright in their treatment of singles. One almost thinks that the lecturing this book gives to singles ought to be given to others, especially among the churches. Physicians, heal yourselves.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
February 13, 2018
I found this to be a confusing book. Hoffeditz writes that singleness is a divinely appointed gift from God with blessings to enjoy. (25) He said he was to “relish the fact that God had lavished the gift of singleness on me.” (38) Yet he was not content in his single state – he was a miserable single. He struggled with jealousy of married couples. Listening to his students talk about becoming engaged was “unpleasant” for him. (38) He writes about having to grow in his acceptance of being alone, and of experiencing “the cloud of isolation.” (57) He longed for marriage and remaining content in his single state seemed “overwhelming” at times. (61)
The more I read of Hoffeditz's experiences, the more I was convinced he did not have the “gift” of singleness. He wrote this book over ten years ago, when he was single, but is now married with two children.
There is some good, general teaching in this book. For example, he writes of trying to fill up the void in his life with accomplishments. He writes about trusting God in adverse circumstances and seeing opportunities to recognize God's presence and provision. He has a good section on temptation. He uses the stories of biblical characters to illustrate his teaching. These general instructions apply equally well to married Christians as well as singles.
Hoffeditz identifies the purpose of this book “is to take a fresh look at exactly what the Scriptures says about singleness.” (10) He does that within the context of his own dissatisfaction with being single. A Christian who truly has God's gift of singleness may well be frustrated with this book, as I was. A Christian who is single but really wants to be married will better appreciate this book and will be able to identify, I am sure, with the discontent expressed with being single.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
The more I read of Hoffeditz's experiences, the more I was convinced he did not have the “gift” of singleness. He wrote this book over ten years ago, when he was single, but is now married with two children.
There is some good, general teaching in this book. For example, he writes of trying to fill up the void in his life with accomplishments. He writes about trusting God in adverse circumstances and seeing opportunities to recognize God's presence and provision. He has a good section on temptation. He uses the stories of biblical characters to illustrate his teaching. These general instructions apply equally well to married Christians as well as singles.
Hoffeditz identifies the purpose of this book “is to take a fresh look at exactly what the Scriptures says about singleness.” (10) He does that within the context of his own dissatisfaction with being single. A Christian who truly has God's gift of singleness may well be frustrated with this book, as I was. A Christian who is single but really wants to be married will better appreciate this book and will be able to identify, I am sure, with the discontent expressed with being single.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
February 16, 2018
They Were Single Too
Eight Biblical Role Models
By David M. Hoffeditz
They Were Single Too is written to the single adult by examining the lives of eight different individuals in the Bible and their unique positions in a world and culture that expected them to be married. While the author originally wrote this book from a single state he has since married before this updated, revised edition was released. The author quite plainly states that this book is applicable for married believers too.
Of the eight people mentioned three were women and two of them (Ruth and Anna) are widows. So the only woman mentioned who is truly single is Martha. Of the men mentioned four are presumed single while Joseph later did marry. Lessons are taken from each persons life with truths one can apply to one's own life.
There are times when the author seems to slight the single person for example on page 104 "Hence, while we may not want to admit it, commitment can be hard to find in some single adults." Commitment is not a given for those who are married as we sadly see with the number of divorces. I do agree that the church needs to offer more for those who haven't married as all too often the single adult gets lost in the rush to focus on children and families which isn't wrong but leaves the unmarried feeling as if they are a burden and a hidden shame to be hidden away.
This book is good if one wants to examine the lives of some who are unmarried at least for a portion of their story. This could be an excellent starting place for a new single's Bible study.
I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher Kregel with no expectations of a positive review.
Eight Biblical Role Models
By David M. Hoffeditz
They Were Single Too is written to the single adult by examining the lives of eight different individuals in the Bible and their unique positions in a world and culture that expected them to be married. While the author originally wrote this book from a single state he has since married before this updated, revised edition was released. The author quite plainly states that this book is applicable for married believers too.
Of the eight people mentioned three were women and two of them (Ruth and Anna) are widows. So the only woman mentioned who is truly single is Martha. Of the men mentioned four are presumed single while Joseph later did marry. Lessons are taken from each persons life with truths one can apply to one's own life.
There are times when the author seems to slight the single person for example on page 104 "Hence, while we may not want to admit it, commitment can be hard to find in some single adults." Commitment is not a given for those who are married as we sadly see with the number of divorces. I do agree that the church needs to offer more for those who haven't married as all too often the single adult gets lost in the rush to focus on children and families which isn't wrong but leaves the unmarried feeling as if they are a burden and a hidden shame to be hidden away.
This book is good if one wants to examine the lives of some who are unmarried at least for a portion of their story. This could be an excellent starting place for a new single's Bible study.
I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher Kregel with no expectations of a positive review.
February 16, 2018
They Were Single Too by David M. Hoffeditz is an updated nonfiction book highlighting eight Biblical individuals.
It’s primarily informative about the Biblical figures mentioned. The book has one chapter each on Paul, Anna, Martha, Jeremiah, Ruth, Joseph, Nehemiah, and John the Baptist. I really appreciated the variety of people mentioned–Anna’s years of widowhood present an entirely different perspective than Paul’s ministry or Joseph’s temptations.The book is less than 150 pages long, and each chapter ends with a few brief questions for reflection.
I found this book quick and easy to read, with a good tone and perspective. It might be a good conversation starter for a a small group.It also has good historical context and background for the Biblical characters.
Some books meant for single adults are just aimed at 20-something year olds. The author of this book acknowledges that not all singles are that age. The examples cover a wide range of ages, so that singles of a variety of ages will find something useful in this book. I really enjoyed reading it and will probably read it again. If you’re looking for something addressing church culture and singleness, this is an okay place to start but not really sociology-oriented.
Three and a half of five stars. I received a free copy of this book from Kregel Publications in exchange for an honest review.
It’s primarily informative about the Biblical figures mentioned. The book has one chapter each on Paul, Anna, Martha, Jeremiah, Ruth, Joseph, Nehemiah, and John the Baptist. I really appreciated the variety of people mentioned–Anna’s years of widowhood present an entirely different perspective than Paul’s ministry or Joseph’s temptations.The book is less than 150 pages long, and each chapter ends with a few brief questions for reflection.
I found this book quick and easy to read, with a good tone and perspective. It might be a good conversation starter for a a small group.It also has good historical context and background for the Biblical characters.
Some books meant for single adults are just aimed at 20-something year olds. The author of this book acknowledges that not all singles are that age. The examples cover a wide range of ages, so that singles of a variety of ages will find something useful in this book. I really enjoyed reading it and will probably read it again. If you’re looking for something addressing church culture and singleness, this is an okay place to start but not really sociology-oriented.
Three and a half of five stars. I received a free copy of this book from Kregel Publications in exchange for an honest review.
February 14, 2018
In They Were Single Too, David Hoffeditz highlights 8 Biblical characters who knew what it was like to live the single journey. When I think of singleness in the Bible, Ruth is the one character that often comes to mind. And although Hoffeditz does include her story, there are others like Nehemiah, Joseph, and John the Baptist whom I never considered the impact of their relationship status. He also disperses some of his own life’s ups and downs as a single. I found the author’s openness about his struggles with singlehood refreshingly candid. While this book is relatively small, I did find it difficult to get through at times. However, I think many singles will find camaraderie, comfort, and encouragement throughout the pages. I was provided a copy by Kregel for review purposes. Views and opinions expressed are my own.
February 11, 2025
Okay, this wasn't bad, but it wasn't very well written. Often, I wondered what Hoffeditz point was as he rambled on. At the same time, I appreciated how he drew out that the Bible has many single people who served God whole-heartedly and we can draw wonderful lessons from them.
All in all, I would say it could be a helpful book, but wouldn't be on my top 10 list to recommend to singles.
All in all, I would say it could be a helpful book, but wouldn't be on my top 10 list to recommend to singles.
March 18, 2023
Full of stereotypes and mischaracterizations of single adults. Do not recommend.
April 3, 2024
We used this book with our young adults group and we read chapters as we covered them in class. It has some positive examples of how to live life fully, even as a single person.
January 25, 2016
The best book so far I have read on the subject and I've read a few already. Hoffeditz goes through 8 biblical figures pulling out applications from their lives. Paul, Anna, Martha, Jeremiah, Ruth, Joseph, Nehemiah, and John the Baptist each bring an aspect of trial and blessing to the single life. My favorites were probably the chapters on Paul and Jeremiah. Well worth a read if you struggle with your singleness or even if you don't.
January 13, 2012
This is an excellent study of eight Biblical characters, all of whom were either single all of their lives or were single at least part of their lives. This is also a study of the dynamics of what it means to be both single (unmarried) and Christian. The character sketches reveal how these Biblical characters handled being single in the midst of the culture in which they lived.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews