Chastity, a virtue highly esteemed within Christian ethics, refers to the practice of refraining from extramarital, or especially from all, sexual intercourse. It is a commitment to purity in thought, word, and deed, aligning one's life with the moral standards set forth in Scripture. Chastity is not merely the absence of sexual activity but encompasses a holistic approach to living a life that honors God through sexual integrity.

Biblical Foundations

The Bible provides numerous teachings on chastity, emphasizing its importance as a reflection of one's relationship with God. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 , the Apostle Paul writes, "For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor." This passage underscores the call to live a life set apart for God, exercising self-control and honoring one's body as a temple of the Holy Spirit.

In the Old Testament, the call to chastity is evident in the Ten Commandments, specifically in the commandment against adultery (Exodus 20:14: "You shall not commit adultery"). This commandment establishes the sanctity of marriage and the importance of faithfulness within it. The wisdom literature, such as Proverbs, also warns against the dangers of sexual immorality, urging individuals to seek wisdom and understanding to avoid the pitfalls of unchaste behavior (Proverbs 5:3-5).

Chastity in Marriage and Singleness

Chastity is relevant to both married and single individuals. For those who are married, chastity involves fidelity to one's spouse, maintaining the marriage bed as pure and undefiled (Hebrews 13:4: "Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers"). This fidelity is a reflection of the covenant relationship between Christ and the Church, as described in Ephesians 5:31-32 .

For singles, chastity involves abstaining from sexual relations until marriage, recognizing the body as a vessel for honoring God. In 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 , Paul exhorts believers, "Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body."

The Role of Chastity in Christian Discipleship

Chastity is integral to Christian discipleship, as it reflects a commitment to living according to God's design for human sexuality. It requires the cultivation of virtues such as self-control, patience, and love. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit, which includes self-control, as essential qualities for believers. By practicing chastity, Christians demonstrate their dedication to following Christ and living in a manner that is pleasing to God.

The pursuit of chastity is not without challenges, especially in a culture that often promotes sexual permissiveness. However, believers are encouraged to rely on the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit to overcome temptation and to seek accountability within the Christian community. In Philippians 4:8 , Paul advises, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things." This focus on purity of thought is foundational to living a chaste life.

Conclusion

Chastity remains a vital aspect of Christian living, calling believers to honor God with their bodies and to uphold the sanctity of marriage. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and the support of the Christian community, individuals can pursue a life of chastity, reflecting the holiness and love of God in their relationships and personal conduct.1 Thessalonians 4:7
For God has not called us to uncleanness, but to holiness.
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1 Thessalonians 4:3
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication:
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1 Corinthians 7:1-40
Now concerning the things whereof you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
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1 Corinthians 7:2
Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
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1 Corinthians 7:25
Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that has obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
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1 Corinthians 7:1
Now concerning the things whereof you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
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Romans 13:13
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
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Ephesians 5:3
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints;
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1 Corinthians 7:37
Nevertheless he that stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well.
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1 Corinthians 7:36
But if any man think that he behaves himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sins not: let them marry.
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1. (n.) Sexual or moral purity; celibacy; the state of being chaste; purity of body; freedom from unlawful sexual intercourse.

2. (n.) Purity.

3. (n.) The unmarried life.

4. (n.) Chasteness.

CHASTE; CHASTITY

chast, chas'-ti-ti.

See CRIMES; MARRIAGE.

54. hagnotes -- purity, chastity
... purity, chastity. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: hagnotes Phonetic
Spelling: (hag-not'-ace) Short Definition: purity, chastity Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/54.htm - 6k

47. hagneia -- purity
... purity. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: hagneia Phonetic Spelling:
(hag-ni'-ah) Short Definition: purity, chastity Definition: purity, chastity. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/47.htm - 6k

1467. egkrateuomai -- to exercise self-control
... contain, be temperate. Middle voice from egkrates; to exercise self-restraint (in
diet and chastity) -- can(-not) contain, be temperate. see GREEK egkrates. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1467.htm - 7k

On Exhortation to Chastity
On Exhortation to Chastity. <. On Exhortation to Chastity Tertullian.
Translated by Rev. S. Thelwall Table of Contents. Title Page. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on exhortation to chastity/

Whether Chastity is a virtue?
... OF CHASTITY (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether chastity is a virtue? Objection 1:
It would seem that chastity is not a virtue. For here we ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether chastity is a virtue.htm

Whether Chastity is a General virtue?
... OF CHASTITY (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether chastity is a general virtue? Objection
1: It would seem that chastity is a general virtue. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether chastity is a general.htm

Of Holy Chastity
... PART FOUR. HERE BEGIN THE CHAPTERS OF CERTAIN INSTRUCTIONS AND NOTABLE SAYINGS
OF BROTHER GILES CHAPTER VIII OF HOLY CHASTITY. Our ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter viii of holy chastity.htm

Of Chastity.
... Theophilus to Autolycus: Book III. Chapter XIII."Of Chastity. And concerning
chastity, the holy word teaches us not only not to ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xiii of chastity.htm

Of Chastity (Four Articles)
... OF CHASTITY (FOUR ARTICLES). We must next consider chastity: (1) The virtue
itself of chastity: (2) virginity, which is a part of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of chastity four articles .htm

Chastity and Prayer.
... Book XIV. 25. Chastity and Prayer. Now after these things, having considered
how many possible accidents may arise in marriages, which ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/25 chastity and prayer.htm

The Offering of Chastity a Great Gift.
The Banquet of the Ten Virgins, or Concerning Chastity. <. ... Discourse
V."Thallousa. Chapter I."The Offering of Chastity a Great Gift. ...
/.../chapter i the offering of chastity.htm

Whether Purity Belongs Especially to Chastity?
... OF CHASTITY (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether purity belongs especially to chastity? Objection
1: It would seem that purity does not belong especially to chastity. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether purity belongs especially to.htm

Chastity the Chief Ornament of the True Tabernacle; Seven
The Banquet of the Ten Virgins, or Concerning Chastity. <. ... Chapter
I."Chastity the Chief Ornament of the True Tabernacle; Seven. ...
/.../chapter i chastity the chief ornament.htm

Chastity
... 2. (n.) Purity. 3. (n.) The unmarried life. 4. (n.) Chasteness. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. CHASTE; CHASTITY. chast, chas'-ti-ti. See CRIMES; MARRIAGE. ...
/c/chastity.htm - 6k

Virginity (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The quality or state of being a virgin; undefiled
purity or chastity; maidenhood. 2. (n.) The unmarried life; celibacy. Int. ...
/v/virginity.htm - 15k

Virtue (21 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) Specifically: Chastity; purity; especially, the chastity of women; virginity.
8. (n.) One of the orders of the celestial hierarchy. Int. ...
/v/virtue.htm - 16k

Temperate (6 Occurrences)
... temperance. The reference in Acts 24:25 is to chastity, and in 1 Corinthians
7:9, as the context shows, to the inner side of chastity. ...
/t/temperate.htm - 12k

Temperance (3 Occurrences)
... temperance. The reference in Acts 24:25 is to chastity, and in 1 Corinthians
7:9, as the context shows, to the inner side of chastity. ...
/t/temperance.htm - 12k

Seducer
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who, or that which, seduces; specifically, one
who prevails over the chastity of a woman by enticements and persuasions. ...
/s/seducer.htm - 9k

Seduce (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vt) To entice to evil; to lead astray; specifically,
to induce to surrender chastity; to debauch by means of solicitation. Int. ...
/s/seduce.htm - 12k

Chatter (5 Occurrences)

/c/chatter.htm - 8k

Woman (4043 Occurrences)
...Chastity and modesty, the choice inheritance of Hebrew womanhood, were foreign to
the Greek conception of morality, and disappeared from Rome when Greek ...
/w/woman.htm - 45k

Purity (16 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Cleanness; freedom from foulness or dirt. 4. (n.) Freedom from guilt or
the defilement of sin; innocence; chastity; as, purity of heart or of life. ...
/p/purity.htm - 30k

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