If a guy wants to put a hold on intimacy, is that a bad thing?

[SheKnows]

I was seeing this guy for almost 3 months. We talked last week, and he said that he is still in love with the woman that he broke up with 6 years ago. That came as a shocker, but they were engaged, so it makes sense. He's not talked to her in 3 years now. He does not intend to go back, he just has his feelings confused. He says that in his relationships since then, he hasn't been able give himself completely to a woman. He says that he sees the care that I have for him in his eyes, and that he can't reciprocate right now, so we should not be intimate until he's sure that he can love me. He says that he wants to do things "right" this time- court me, take me out on a first date again, because I am very dear to him. He wants to build from the friendship up. He has been very helpful, even after that conversation- i wanted a hammer, he specially purchased one to give to me (because he didn't have one). He helped me set up the furniture from Ikea in my home. He says that for the short term, he can offer me friendship and complete honesty, and then, we can see where it goes from there. I told him that I would rather wait for him than see other people, and he said that's my choice. He says that he needs to reevaluate his life- he's at that point in his life. I take this positively- after all it's better to be friends first. but my friends say that he's trying to go away gradually. I'll appreciate any insight. Thanks!