Some Christian women choose not to marry—for deeply personal, spiritual, or purposeful reasons. Here's why—and examples of inspiring Canadian lives. These reasons are drawn from Scripture either directly or through theological and practical application.
Spiritual Calling & Devotion to God
1. To devote oneself fully to the Lord – 1 Corinthians 7:32–35
2. Because singleness is a gift from God – 1 Corinthians 7:7
3. To pursue undistracted spiritual growth – Matthew 19:12
4. To serve God more freely and fully – Luke 2:36–37 (Prophetess Anna)
5. To heed God’s personal calling or mission – Acts 13:2–3
6. To focus on prayer and fasting – 1 Corinthians 7:5
7. To live a holy life in body and spirit – 1 Corinthians 7:34
8. Because Jesus was unmarried, serving as a model – Hebrews 4:15
9. To imitate Paul’s example of singleness in service – 1 Corinthians 7:8
10. To avoid divided interests – 1 Corinthians 7:33–35
Ministry & Missional Reasons
11. To be more mobile in ministry – Matthew 10:9–10
12. To care for others with fewer personal obligations – Philippians 2:4
13. To mentor others without family demands – Titus 2:3–5
14. To minister in dangerous or persecuted areas – 2 Corinthians 11:26–28
15. To commit to missionary service abroad – Acts 20:24
Wisdom and Practical Considerations
16. To avoid potential marital conflict – Proverbs 21:9
17. To avoid being unequally yoked – 2 Corinthians 6:14
18. To stay out of relationships that may hinder faith – Deuteronomy 7:3–4
19. Because of a past trauma or heartbreak – Psalm 34:18
20. To focus on healing and recovery – Isaiah 61:1
21. To pursue a God-given passion or work – Ecclesiastes 9:10
22. To steward time and resources effectively – Ephesians 5:15–16
23. To support aging parents or family – Exodus 20:12
Personal Convictions or Experiences
24. No desire for marriage (not all are called) – Matthew 19:11–12
25. Past experiences of abuse or neglect – Psalm 147:3
26. To remain free from worldly ties – Romans 12:2
27. Because of singleness being a personal conviction – Romans 14:5
28. To guard one’s emotional or spiritual health – Proverbs 4:23
Cultural or Societal Reasons
29. To resist societal pressure – Galatians 1:10
30. Because marriage has been idolized culturally – Exodus 20:3
31. To challenge traditional gender roles – Galatians 3:28
32. To live counterculturally – Romans 12:2
33. To bear witness to Christ through an alternative lifestyle – 1 Peter 2:11–12
End Times and Eschatological Perspective
34. Due to belief that time is short – 1 Corinthians 7:29–31
35. To prepare more fully for Christ’s return – Matthew 25:1–13
36. To live as a citizen of Heaven – Philippians 3:20
37. Because eternal marriage to Christ is the ultimate union – Revelation 19:7–9
Sexual Integrity & Self-Control
38. To avoid sexual temptation (if not struggling with lust) – 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5
39. Because celibacy is sustainable for some – 1 Corinthians 7:9
40. To live with integrity and focus – Psalm 119:9
41. To avoid the temptation of adultery or divorce – Matthew 5:32
Faith and Obedience
42. Because God has not opened that door – Proverbs 3:5–6
43. Because they trust in God’s sovereignty – Romans 8:28
44. Because they want to obey God’s unique will – Jeremiah 29:11
45. To be content in all situations – Philippians 4:11–13
46. Because marriage would be a distraction – Luke 14:26–27
47. Out of obedience to a vow or commitment – Numbers 30:2
Witness and Testimony
48. To model fulfillment in Christ alone – Colossians 2:10
49. To testify to God’s sufficiency – 2 Corinthians 12:9
50. To inspire others who are single – Hebrews 10:24–25
Part 2: 5 Canadian Women Who Chose Not to Marry – Their Reasons & Contributions
1. Emily Carr (1871–1945) – Artist and Writer
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| A young Emily Carr- Wikipedia |
Why she didn’t marry: She prioritized her art and believed marriage would limit her creative freedom.
Contribution: One of Canada’s most celebrated painters and authors. Her work captured Indigenous culture and B.C. wilderness. Her writing, like Klee Wyck, also won the Governor General's Award.
2. Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874–1942) – Author
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| Lucy Maud Montgomery- Wikipedia |
Technically married later in life, but for many years resisted it.
Why she delayed marriage: Valued independence and literary career; reportedly had doubts about love and emotional fulfillment through marriage.
Contrbutions: Author of Anne of Green Gables, an iconic Canadian novel. Advocated for women's education and literary voices.
3. Mary Two-Axe Earley (1911–1996) – Indigenous Women’s Rights Activist
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| Mary Two-Axe Earley Wikipedia |
Why she didn’t remarry after early widowhood: Devoted herself to advocacy work.
Contributions: Fought to restore Indian Status to Indigenous women who lost it due to marrying non-status men. Instrumental in legislative reforms in Canada’s Indian Act (1985).
4. Elsie MacGill (1905–1980) – Engineer and Aviation Pioneer
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| Elsie MacGill - Alchetron Encyclopedia |
Why she didn’t marry until later in life: Devoted to career during early life, a rare path for women in her era.
Contributions: First woman in Canada to earn an electrical engineering degree and the first in the world to earn a Master’s in aeronautical engineering. Oversaw production of the Hawker Hurricane in WWII.
5. Roberta Bondar (b. 1945) – Astronaut, Scientist, and Physician
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| Roberta Bondar Wikipedia |
Never married.
Why: Has said publicly that she focused on her scientific and space career; no regrets about not marrying.
Contributions: Canada’s first female astronaut and first neurologist in space. A passionate advocate for science education and environmental causes.
✅ Validating Women's Choices:
Singleness is not a lesser path—it’s a valid, rich, and God-honoring choice. Women's worth isn't defined by marriage, but by their calling and character.
Looking for an inspiring autobiography or memoir or biography to read about the women above? Take a look at these:
Books about or by Roberta Bondar
Books about or by Elsie MacGill
Books about or by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Books about Mary Two-Axe Earley
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