Living Single

by Tony Evans

Many singles are often overlooked or marginalized in our Christian culture and churches, but this isn’t how God sees them. He places a very high value on His singles, and we should too. Taking truths from 1 Corinthians 7, Dr. Evans shares three vital principles for How to wait on the Lord and his timing and direction, how to work for God and experience the satisfaction of fulfilling your personal calling in life, and what it means to be wedded in the Lord, whether that is through an eventual marriage or through your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Dr. Evans writes to a variety of types of singles, In this hope-filled and popular title, Dr. Tony Evans encourages us to embrace the often unheard biblically-based truth about Being single is more desirable for a Christian than being married!

Genres: Nonfiction, Faith, Relationships, Christian Living

96 pages, Paperback

First published October 21, 2013

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Anthony Tyrone "Tony" Evans Sr. is an American evangelical pastor, speaker, author, and widely syndicated radio and television broadcaster in the United States. Between 1976 and 2024, Evans served as senior pastor at the over-9,500-member Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas.

Reviews

[Danny Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a lot better than I expected. It was good that Evans started out by stating he was treading on dangerous ground as a married man writing on the topic of singleness. He correctly argues that by studying the scriptures and talking to people he has a lot of valuable things to say. I would push the issue and say that it works the other way around too. That singles have something to say to married people about their status in life. We all have something to teach each other. This is a short book that doesn't dive to deep into the issues. Evans encourages singles to maximize their singleness but doesn't really go into what that looks like in church culture. I would contend that one of the ways it looks like is to have several single people involved in church leadership. If Evans really believes that singles have a greater capacity for ministry than his church should have a strong influence of singles in his leadership. I wonder if that is the case.

[Maranda Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was EVERYTHING I needed to hear. Definitely made being single 6 years make sense, in the way it shows you to focus on God's calling instead of chasing your future husband that God will bring to you if you keep your eyes focused on Him. Inspired me to bring back my Single, Saved, and Celibate blog. Must read for Christian singles.
WARNING: This book is convicting so be prepared for harsh realness.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

I applaud Tony Evans for writing a book for singles, a book that tries to follow the narrow path that the author finds in the Bible on the topic. It is a book written for a bubble and it uses the few verses in the bible for all they are worth. In this way, it has something to offer a Chrisitan who want to follow that strict guidance. It does not, however, remedy the use of false dilemmas, bad analogies, and the bad advice. Evans manages to compare the verses that talks against going to prostitutes toward the whole issue of having sex before marriage, but there is, in reality, a lot between prostitution and marriage - like a healthy romantic relationship, that is not mentioned. He also mentions the 50% divorce rate, and right after goes to tell that it is a good idea when to people sat beside each other at church and greeted, and got married soon after. Because when it happens in Church it is somehow God guided. He is also dismissing of the idea of the unequal yoke, although that is understandable it puts the equality of the yoke mostly on same belief rather than the multitudes of other important values. And then, of course, the idea that you only have 3 choices, either gamble, grab or his Christian alternative in finding a wife. With all this, the book feels too short-sighted and have a very textual interpretation of the Bible without always considering cultural context or making an effort to translate it to modernity via principles. It is not much more than talking to the choir, and in that sense, it does not matter to repeat a lot of what a Chrisitan usually already are familiar with.

[Kathleen Moy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Evans packs a great deal of wisdom into a relatively short book. I especially appreciated his emphasis that both singleness and marriage are equally valuable callings in the life of the church. I also liked that he acknowledges the challenges of marriage and the reality of high divorce rates, which provides a helpful perspective for singles who may be tempted to romanticize marriage.

Where I felt the book was less developed was in its treatment of the unique challenges of singleness. That is understandable, given that it was written by someone who has been married throughout his adult life. I also found myself agreeing with another reviewer who asked whether Dr. Evans has placed single men and women in significant leadership roles within his church and ministries. If singleness is truly an equally valuable calling, it would be encouraging to see that conviction reflected not only in teaching but also in leadership and ministry opportunities.

Some readers may also be surprised by Dr. Evans' conservative, male-led view of leadership, particularly as it relates to dating. He argues that every woman should have a trusted man looking out for her best interests. While readers who share his theological perspective may find this compelling, others may question why the principle is presented as one-directional. Shouldn't men also have trusted women, along with other mature believers, who know them well and can speak wisely into their lives? Framing this more broadly as mutual accountability within the Christian community could make the principle more accessible to a wider audience while placing greater emphasis on the importance of the church as a whole.

[Jessica (JT) · Rating 5 out of 5]

At only three chapters long (less than 100 pages), this was an easy study for my Bible study group to fit in after another longer study and before our Christmas break. We are a group of four single men and women in our 20s and all of us enjoyed this book. While nothing in it was life-changing for me, it was a very encouraging to read. It reminds us that we don't need to get married if we don't want to and if we have the desire to get married, then God probably will allow us to get married at some point in our lives. Divorce and widowhood are also mentioned briefly, but I think most of this is aimed at the never been married set.

If you struggle with singleness and knowing God's will for relationships, then this is a great book to pick up.

[Ann Van Hine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting little book. Study of 1 Corinthians 7. Big take away “Paul wrote in verse 35, “This I say for your own benefit; not to put restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.” The only way to avoid distractions is to keep your focus in the right place.”

[Trenten Merrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one!

Tony does a great job of using scripture and illustrations for the reader to better understand and relate! The scripture he chooses is so fitting and I’ve found that his books and sermons have helped me a lot! This book is great and helped myself understand the season I am in to a greater depth! Thank you Lord!

[Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had some good nuggets. Enjoying being single basically is less of a headache than being married. Didn’t really hit on dating single, sex , divorced, single parents. Basically moral of story : enjoy being single don’t wish for marriage. It will happen if it’s meant to. Live your purpose it’s a lot better to be single than married lol.

[Petitediva79 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brief yet comprehensive outline of being single in society from a biblical stance. I love this book, and look forward to rereading it from time to time as a reminder that my single status is a gift.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning what God thinks of singlehood and how He wants to use those of us who are single.
We are not second-hand citizens like people think we are and I don't have to be married in order to feel whole. Well worth the read for singles.

[Jessica Egan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on singlehood that I’ve read so far!

[Peggy Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fanatastic

A Profound message for all singles. This is a great reminder of the single season and it’s purpose.. thank you.

[Jennifer Braddox · Rating 5 out of 5]

A

[Mahlangu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book on the power and purpose of singlehood.

[Jessica Walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Tony Evans never disappoints! Living Single is apart of his Kingdom Agenda Series and I’ve enjoyed each book I’ve read from that series. Definitely a MUST READ, for sure!

[Brandon Aldaco · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book showed the foundations of how to live a single Christian life. It was very helpful and I enjoyed the analogies that Dr. Evans uses to relate singleness.

[Rebekah Streeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming in hot for the “Under 100 Pages” category, this oversized pamphlet is an outline of biblical principles of singleness. Dr. Tony Evans addresses those who have never been married, those who are married but would like to not be (😬), and those who became single by no choice of their own. It’s an interesting overview of what the Bible says and how to live in a more godly way, whatever your relationship status. I’d recommend the quick perspective check for singles found in “Living Single” by Dr. Tony Evans.

[Tatyana Borisenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this as a gift from my sister (who got it as a gift from my other sister). I love Christmas book re-gifts. :)

It's an easy and quick read. It's funny (as you would expect from Tony Evans). I do wish it was longer, but it was short, sweet and to the point.

It has a great message, which serves as a good reminder about the purpose of living single. For many, being single is a temporary stage into a relationship. However, this book makes a great emphasis on the value and purpose of a single life for what it is.

This book would be great in an anthology!

[Gina Thomison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blessed to be Single

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed with the theology in this book as well as the fact it was authored by someone who is married. Lastly, while addressing singles it primarily focuses on females