Marital Faithfulness and Sexual Purity in Marriage
Marital Faithfulness and Sexual Purity in Marriage
Marital faithfulness and sexual purity within marriage are rooted in biblical teachings and have been a subject of theological reflection throughout Christian history. The concept of marital faithfulness encompasses not only the physical aspect of marriage but also the commitment and loyalty between spouses. According to Augustine, "there is interposed a certain gravity of glowing pleasure, when in that wherein husband and wife cleave to one another, they have in mind that they be father and mother" [2].
The biblical foundation for marital faithfulness is evident in the mutual service and commitment that spouses owe to each other. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the reciprocal nature of marital obligations, stating that "the wife hath not power of her own body, but the man: in like manner also the man hath not power of his own body, but the wife" [7]. This mutual submission is seen as a fundamental aspect of the marital bond.
In Christian tradition, marital faithfulness is closely tied to the concept of chastity. Chastity in marriage involves the proper ordering of sexual relations within the marital bond. According to Aquinas, "purity must needs be properly about the things of which man is most ashamed" [5]. While the conjugal act is considered a natural part of marriage, it is also acknowledged that it is not devoid of shame due to the presence of lust.
The importance of marital faithfulness is underscored by the consequences of its breach. Adultery is considered a serious offense, and the biblical laws regarding chastity and marriage emphasize the need to protect the marital bond [3]. In the view of some Christian traditions, the faithfulness of one spouse is not negated by the unbelief of the other; rather, the faith of a married person "does not dissolve but perfects the marriage" [1].
The early Christian fathers, such as Augustine, highlight the significance of conjugal chastity as a gift from God. According to Augustine, "chastity in the married state is God's gift" [6]. This understanding underscores the idea that marital faithfulness and sexual purity are not solely human achievements but are facilitated by divine grace.
The sacramental understanding of marriage in some Christian traditions further emphasizes the importance of marital faithfulness. In Catholic theology, for example, marriage is considered a sacrament that signifies the union between Christ and the Church. The integrity of this sacrament is tied to the faithfulness and commitment of the spouses [4].
The historical and theological reflections on marital faithfulness and sexual purity in marriage underscore the complexity and richness of Christian thought on these matters. The emphasis on mutual commitment, chastity, and the sacramental nature of marriage highlights the multifaceted nature of Christian teachings on marriage.
Sources
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Supplement (Supplementum), Of Disparity of Worship As an Impediment to Marriage, Art. 3: Article: Whether the husband, being converted to the faith, may remain with his wife is she be unwilling to be converted? I answer that, The faith of a married person does not dissolve but perfects the marriage. Wherefore, since there is true marriage between unbelievers, as stated above (Article [2], ad 1), the marriage tie is not broken by the fact that one of them is converted to the faith, but sometimes while the marriage tie remains, the marriage is dissolved as to cohabitat”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — ON THE GOOD OF MARRIAGE. (part 4): way more modestly, being tempered by parental affection. For there is interposed a certain gravity of glowing pleasure, when in that wherein husband and wife cleave to one another, they have in mind that they be father and mother. 4. There is this further, that in that very debt which married persons pay one to another, even if they demand it with somewhat too great intemperance and incontinence, yet they owe faith alike one to another. Unto which faith the Apostle allows so great right, as to call it "power," sa”
- Deuteronomy (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Deuteronomy 22:13: Laws of Chastity and Marriage. - Higher and still holier than the order of nature stands the moral order of marriage, upon which the well-being not only of domestic life, but also of the civil commonwealth of nations, depends. Marriage must be founded upon fidelity and chastity on the part of those who are married. To foster this, and secure it against outbreaks of malice and evil lust, was the design and object of the laws which follow. The first (Deu 22:13-21) relates to the chastity of a woman on entering into the married state, which might be called i”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Supplement (Supplementum), Of Matrimony As a Sacrament, Art. 4: Article: Whether carnal intercourse is an integral part of this sacrament? I answer that, Integrity is twofold. One regards the primal perfection consisting in the very essence of a thing; the other regards the secondary perfection consisting in operation. Since then carnal intercourse is an operation or use of marriage which gives the faculty for that intercourse, it follows, that carnal intercourse belongs to the latter, and not to the former integrity of marriage [*Cf. TP, Question [29], Article [2] ]”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of Chastity, Art. 4: Article: Whether purity belongs especially to chastity? I answer that, As stated above (Objection [2]), "pudicitia" [purity] takes its name from "pudor," which signifies shame. Hence purity must needs be properly about the things of which man is most ashamed. Now men are most ashamed of venereal acts, as Augustine remarks (De Civ. Dei xiv, 18), so much so that even the conjugal act, which is adorned by the honesty [*Cf. Question [145]] of marriage, is not devoid of shame: and this because the mov”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 5: Augustine — Anti-Pelagian — CHAP. 3 [III.]--CONJUGAL CHASTITY THE GIFT OF GOD.: That chastity in the married state is God's gift, is shown by the most blessed Paul, when, speaking on this very subject, he says: "But I would that all men were even as I myself: but every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that."(5) Observe, he tells us that this gift is from God; and although he classes it brow that continence in which he would have alI men to be like himself, he still describes it as a gift of God. Whence we understand that, when these precept”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — ON THE GOOD OF MARRIAGE. (part 7): one another not only the faith of their sexual intercourse itself, for the begetting of children, which is the first fellowship of the human kind in this mortal state; but also, in a way, a mutual service of sustaining(4) one another's weakness, in order to shun unlawful intercourse: so that, although perpetual continence be pleasing to one of them, he may not, save with consent of the other. For thus far also, "The wife hath not power of her own body, but the man: in like manner also the man hath not power of hi”