The concept of the "Virgin of Personal Purity" is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative and Christian theology, emphasizing the virtue of chastity and moral integrity. This entry explores the biblical foundations, theological significance, and historical perspectives on personal purity, particularly as it relates to virginity.

Biblical Foundations

The Bible frequently underscores the importance of purity, both in a physical and spiritual sense. In the Old Testament, virginity is often associated with purity and holiness. For instance, in Leviticus 21:13-14, the high priest is instructed to marry a virgin, highlighting the value placed on purity: "He must marry a woman who is a virgin. He must not marry a widow, a divorced woman, or a woman defiled by prostitution, but only a virgin from his own people."

In the New Testament, the concept of purity is expanded to include spiritual purity. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often speaks of the church as a pure bride for Christ. In 2 Corinthians 11:2 , Paul writes, "I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ." This metaphor underscores the call for believers to maintain spiritual fidelity and purity in their relationship with Christ.

Theological Significance

Theologically, the Virgin of Personal Purity is emblematic of the Christian call to holiness. Purity is not merely an external condition but a reflection of the heart's orientation towards God. Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizes the internal nature of purity: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God" (Matthew 5:8). This beatitude highlights the promise of divine fellowship for those who pursue purity.

The Virgin Mary is often venerated as the epitome of personal purity within Christian tradition. Her virginity is seen as a sign of her total devotion and obedience to God's will. In Luke 1:34-35 , when the angel Gabriel announces that she will conceive Jesus, Mary responds, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" The angel answers, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you." Mary's purity is thus integrally linked to her role in the divine plan of salvation.

Historical Perspectives

Throughout church history, the virtue of virginity has been highly esteemed, particularly within monastic and ascetic traditions. Early church fathers, such as Augustine and Jerome, wrote extensively on the value of virginity as a means of dedicating oneself wholly to God. Augustine, in his work "On Holy Virginity," extols virginity as a gift that allows for undistracted devotion to the Lord.

The veneration of virgin martyrs, such as St. Agnes and St. Lucy, further illustrates the historical reverence for personal purity. These saints are celebrated for their steadfast commitment to maintaining their purity in the face of persecution and martyrdom.

Practical Implications

In contemporary Christian practice, the call to personal purity remains relevant. It encompasses not only sexual purity but also purity of thought, intention, and action. Believers are encouraged to live lives that reflect their identity in Christ, as Paul exhorts in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 : "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."

The pursuit of personal purity is seen as a response to God's grace, empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is a journey of sanctification, where believers seek to align their lives with the holiness of God, as expressed in 1 Peter 1:15-16 : "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"1 Corinthians 7:25,37
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.
Nave's Topical Index

Revelation 14:4
These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits to God and to the Lamb.
Nave's Topical Index

Description of the Personal Appearance of the Blessed virgin.
... Description of the Personal Appearance of the Blessed ... once more saw the Blessed Virgin;
her countenance ... a mixture of majesty, sanctity, simplicity, and purity. ...
/.../chapter xxv description of the.htm

Whether Three Aureoles are Fittingly Assigned, those of virgins ...
... world the truth which He had received from the Father; He was a martyr, by suffering
the persecution of the world; and He was a virgin, by His personal purity. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether three aureoles are fittingly.htm

Whether the Blessed virgin was Sanctified Before Animation?
... of all, needed not to be saved, the purity of the ... The other is personal sanctification ...
Consequently, though the parents of the Blessed Virgin were cleansed from ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the blessed virgin was 2.htm

Of the Feast of the Holy virgin St Agnes
... A virgin must refrain from talking; she must be modest ... Purity of spirit consists
in a clean, pure and humble ... The third snare is personal holiness, and that in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon vi of the feast.htm

O virgin, Maintain Thy Purpose which is Destined for a Great ...
... O Virgin, maintain thy purpose which is destined for a ... Lord is the virtue of virginity
and purity, if it ... tell thee, who does not allow personal adorning even ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xii o virgin maintain.htm

James the Brother of the Lord.
... loyal, zealous, devout, consistent Hebrew Christian, who by his personal purity
and holiness ... and sects opposed to the incipient worship of the Virgin Mary; and ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 27 james the brother.htm

His Freedom from Sin.
... the choice between absolute moral purity and absolute ... implies his own consciousness
of personal freedom from ... Roman Catholic Church, that the Virgin Mary was ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/his freedom from sin.htm

Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon.
... The Personal or Human Element. ... (3) To all the world there is shown the purity and
constancy of a ... I. The King's first attempt to win the Virgin's love.1:1-2:7. ...
/.../chapter xiv ecclesiastes and the.htm

Gherardi Sat for Two or Three Minutes in Absolute Silence. ...
... their successors (who had never been in personal touch with ... beautiful in the symbol
of the Virgin as applied to ... The Church of Rome is purity itself compared to ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxi gherardi sat for two.htm

Love Wooing yet More.
... and the new purpose stirring within, as memory recalls early days of virgin purity,
and a ... its will to the point of forcing out confession of personal guilt, it ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/love wooing yet more.htm

Is 'virgin' or 'young woman' the correct translation of Isaiah 7:14? | GotQuestions.org

Why is the Virgin Birth so important? | GotQuestions.org

Can/should a Christian who is a virgin marry someone who is not a virgin? | GotQuestions.org

Virgin: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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