Topical Encyclopedia Chastity, a virtue highly esteemed in the biblical tradition, is the practice of refraining from unlawful sexual conduct and maintaining purity in thought and deed. The breach of chastity, often referred to as sexual immorality, is consistently condemned throughout Scripture and is subject to divine and communal punishment.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, the Law of Moses explicitly outlines the consequences for breaches of chastity. Adultery, fornication, and other forms of sexual immorality are met with severe penalties. Leviticus 20:10 states, "If a man commits adultery with another man's wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death." This underscores the gravity of violating the marital covenant and the sanctity of marriage. Deuteronomy 22:22-24 further elaborates on the punishment for sexual immorality, emphasizing communal responsibility in upholding moral standards. The text prescribes the death penalty for both parties involved in adultery, reflecting the seriousness with which such breaches were regarded in ancient Israelite society. New Testament Teachings The New Testament continues to uphold the importance of chastity, with Jesus and the apostles reiterating the call to sexual purity. In Matthew 5:27-28, Jesus expands the understanding of adultery, teaching that even lustful thoughts constitute a breach of chastity: "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." The apostle Paul frequently addresses sexual immorality in his epistles, warning of its spiritual consequences. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul lists those who will not inherit the kingdom of God, including the sexually immoral: "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts... will inherit the kingdom of God." Divine Judgment and Forgiveness While breaches of chastity are met with divine judgment, the Bible also offers a path to forgiveness and redemption. In John 8:3-11, the account of the woman caught in adultery illustrates Jesus' mercy and call to repentance. When the Pharisees bring the woman before Him, Jesus challenges those without sin to cast the first stone, ultimately telling the woman, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more." This narrative highlights the balance between justice and grace, emphasizing the opportunity for repentance and transformation. The call to "sin no more" underscores the expectation of a renewed commitment to chastity and moral integrity. Community and Church Discipline The early church also practiced discipline in cases of sexual immorality, as seen in 1 Corinthians 5:1-5. Paul instructs the Corinthian church to expel a man engaged in an incestuous relationship, demonstrating the necessity of maintaining purity within the Christian community. This act of discipline serves both as a corrective measure for the individual and a protective measure for the church body. In summary, the breach of chastity is consistently portrayed in Scripture as a serious offense with both temporal and eternal consequences. The biblical narrative underscores the importance of sexual purity, the reality of divine judgment, and the hope of forgiveness through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Corinthians 3:16,17Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? Torrey's Topical Textbook Ephesians 5:5,6 Hebrews 13:4 Revelation 22:15 Library The Seventh Commandment Knox in the War of the Congregation: the Regent Attacked: Her ... City of God The Rival Empresses --Pulcheria and Eudocia Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ... The Life, as Amplified by Mediaeval Biographers. The Religious Revolution The Epistle of St. James The Last Days of the Old Eastern World Homilies on the Gospel of John. Resources What is cultural Marxism? | GotQuestions.orgWas some of Proverbs copied from the Instruction of Amenemope? | GotQuestions.org Christian Character ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org Chastity: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Chastity: Consequences of Associating With Those Devoid of Chastity: Drunkenness Destructive To Chastity: General Scriptures Concerning Chastity: Shun Those Devoid of Chastity: Temptation to Deviate From, Dangerous Chastity: The Wicked are Devoid of Chastity: Want of, Excludes from Heaven Related Terms |
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