It's good to be single.

A question popped into my head earlier, and I think that this might be the right thread to ask it on.

We know that Peter and James had wives, and we also know that they had very productive ministries.

At the same time, we also know that Paul was single, and he also had a very productive mininstry.

What then is the real difference as far as either being married or unmarried is concerned?

I mean, I wish that the Bible told us more about Peter's and James' wives. We have the account of Jesus healing Peter's mother-in-law, but, off the top of my head, I do not recall any real mention of them elsewhere in scripture other than Paul's passing mention of them in 1 Corinthians. What were their wives doing while they were out ministering? I would kind of like to know.

At the moment, and I have not fully thought this out yet, the differences between the married apostles and the unmarried Paul seem to be that Peter and John seem to have ministered more locally in that they are normally found in Jerusalem whereas Paul did a lot of traveling. Paul did say, in relation to the other apostles, that he labored more abundantly than they all did, so maybe he had less restrictions or family responsibilities than the married apostles did. I do not know.

Any thoughts anybody?

If it was a contest, then I might have you beat in overall events. In other words, in addition to being alone where a woman is concerned, I think that I have only had one real friend in my entire life, and that friendship ended years ago. It seems to me, and I believe that I am of a sound mind, that God has deliberately separated me unto himself for my own good and for the potential good of others. In regard to me, I thankfully have had the sense to use my alone time in seeking God, studying his word, and purifying myself before him. In regard to others, I have been effective at times, by God's grace, in influencing others positively where the gospel is concerned.

Like I said earlier, normally, I am okay with all of that, but I would be lying if I were to say that I have never thought that it would be nice to have a female companion by my side. It is what it is, so I just accept it, and try to keep moving forward. There is no sense in crying over spilled milk.

Eh... I bawl over spilled milk. I hate spilled milk. I can't accept it! I WON'T!

Ugh, can you imagine being Peter's wife?

"Look I know you're so holy and spiritual that people get healed by your shadow, but come on Pete! You're never home, you're always out preaching, and I've started hearing whispers about they're mad enough to crucify you like they crucified that Jesus fellow you used to hang around with! I know you don't give two hoots about your own skin, but think what it would do to me!"

"Now junior, behave yourself!"

It is not so much that I have lost hope. Instead, I have adjusted my mentality. For example, seeing how a marital relationship was designed to reflect the relationship between the Bridegroom, Christ, and the bride, the church, I try to compare my longing for a bride to Christ's longing for a bride. In his case, she is found, or won, or however one might say it, through receiving the gospel message. Since this is so, even if I am without a bride myself, I try to focus on helping Christ attain his bride, if that makes any sense. Anyway, I just try to take things one day at a time. If I look too far down the road, then I get messed up in my mind.

Btw, the nunnery sounds too much like the gunnery for me. Lol.

A question popped into my head earlier, and I think that this might be the right thread to ask it on.

We know that Peter and James had wives, and we also know that they had very productive ministries.

At the same time, we also know that Paul was single, and he also had a very productive mininstry.

What then is the real difference as far as either being married or unmarried is concerned?

I mean, I wish that the Bible told us more about Peter's and James' wives. We have the account of Jesus healing Peter's mother-in-law, but, off the top of my head, I do not recall any real mention of them elsewhere in scripture other than Paul's passing mention of them in 1 Corinthians. What were their wives doing while they were out ministering? I would kind of like to know.

At the moment, and I have not fully thought this out yet, the differences between the married apostles and the unmarried Paul seem to be that Peter and John seem to have ministered more locally in that they are normally found in Jerusalem whereas Paul did a lot of traveling. Paul did say, in relation to the other apostles, that he labored more abundantly than they all did, so maybe he had less restrictions or family responsibilities than the married apostles did. I do not know.

Any thoughts anybody?

A question popped into my head earlier, and I think that this might be the right thread to ask it on.

We know that Peter and James had wives, and we also know that they had very productive ministries.

At the same time, we also know that Paul was single, and he also had a very productive mininstry.

What then is the real difference as far as either being married or unmarried is concerned?

I mean, I wish that the Bible told us more about Peter's and James' wives. We have the account of Jesus healing Peter's mother-in-law, but, off the top of my head, I do not recall any real mention of them elsewhere in scripture other than Paul's passing mention of them in 1 Corinthians. What were their wives doing while they were out ministering? I would kind of like to know.

At the moment, and I have not fully thought this out yet, the differences between the married apostles and the unmarried Paul seem to be that Peter and John seem to have ministered more locally in that they are normally found in Jerusalem whereas Paul did a lot of traveling. Paul did say, in relation to the other apostles, that he labored more abundantly than they all did, so maybe he had less restrictions or family responsibilities than the married apostles did. I do not know.

Any thoughts anybody?

You've asked some good questions here, and have given some good thought provoking answers.
I have some thoughts, but my brain feels like straw right now, (I'm sure you can understand -sorry/not sorry) and so sharing my thoughts in a coherent way other would understand is not happening right now.
I've never really thought about it, but now that I am thinking about it I think their wives were likely at home supporting them behind the scenes, ministering to them at home, and living a Proverbs 31 woman's life.

Somebody told me that the Tin Man has the correct answers to all of my questions

If every single spoon and fork is dirty, but you don't feel like doing dishes right now, you can use two butter knives as a pair of chopsticks. There are zero people to roll their eyes at you!

One more upside of being single:

If every single spoon and fork is dirty, but you don't feel like doing dishes right now, you can use two butter knives as a pair of chopsticks. There are zero people to roll their eyes at you!

I may or may not have done this just now, and it may or may not be for that reason. I ain't admitting nothing, mostly to spare the eyeballs on the forum.