If any one shall remain virgin, or observe continence, abstaining from marriage because he abhors it, and not on account of the beauty and holiness of virginity itself, let him be anathema.
The emphasis here is motive. What is the reason for withholding union with a spouse? Virginity and continence are virtuous when maintained for service as the Lord has led, however the infiltrating doctrine saw marriage as detrimental. This ran counter to the direct revelation in from the beginning (Gen 1:27-28) and declared very good without reservation or retraction (Gen 1:31). The one flesh of man and woman together forms a complete picture of what mankind is (Gen 2:23-25) and God's reflected glory through it.
The emphasis here is motive. What is the reason for withholding union with a spouse? Virginity and continence are virtuous when maintained for service as the Lord has led, however the infiltrating doctrine saw marriage as detrimental. This ran counter to the direct revelation in from the beginning (Gen 1:27-28) and declared very good without reservation or retraction (Gen 1:31). The one flesh of man and woman together forms a complete picture of what mankind is (Gen 2:23-25) and God's reflected glory through it.
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