Chaste Virgins

[Mr. M]

2 Corinthians 11:1 Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. 

2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, 

that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 

3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds 

may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 

Purity of Mind and Body: The 144,000

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 firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

The "chaste" refers to purity of mind: "so your minds may be corrupted". 

This refers back to earlier in the letter"

2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves

from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Therefore, the discussion focuses on the idea of "the simplicity that is in Christ".

[Guest Michaelangeli]

11 hours ago, Mr. M said:

2 Corinthians 11:1 Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. 

2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, 

that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 

3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds 

may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 

Purity of Mind and Body: The 144,000

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 firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

The "chaste" refers to purity of mind: "so your minds may be corrupted". 

This refers back to earlier in the letter"

2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves

from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Therefore, the discussion focuses on the idea of "the simplicity that is in Christ".

Thank you for that.

Some persons have said to me, that the 144,000 have never had sexual relations physically. They thought the verses were speaking of being virgins in a physical sense.

As you pointed out, they are virgins in a spiritual sense.

 

The Bible describes them as the bride of the lamb, or the lamb's wife. Revelation 21:2, 9

So, collectively, the 144,000 make up the bride.

 

I would say yes, there is not only simplicity in Christ, but order and clarity.

However, I'm not sure what it is you have in mind.

[Guest CHC]

The more I read the Bible and try to discern what it means the more confused I get and reading everyone else's 'I'm so clear on this I am right' posts that all differ in how they are right signifies it is not simple at all. I'm hoping it isn't because I have no idea how I am meant to live in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. From what I can see so many have trouble with it too, even those who say they don't because they believe the opposite of another claiming to be 'clear', if any of that makes sense. 

[FJK]

7 hours ago, Mr. M said:

Revelation 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. 

Why does this verse talk first about not being defiled of women and then being virgins if it didn't mean to refer to not being defiled of women as not having had relations with women?

What else would it mean that would require it to be written that way, using those words, instead of just saying what it really means?

[Mr. M]

6 minutes ago, FJK said:

Why does this verse talk first about not being defiled of women and then being virgins if it didn't mean to refer to not being defiled of women as not having had relations with women?

What else would it mean that would require it to be written that way, using those words, instead of just saying what it really means

The point of the OP is that 'chaste virgin' requires more than physical purity.  Purity of mind gained by the simplicity that is in the mind of Christ. More to come.

[Mr. M]

21 minutes ago, Michaelangeli said:

Thank you for that.

Some persons have said to me, that the 144,000 have never had sexual relations physically. They thought the verses were speaking of being virgins in a physical sense.

As you pointed out, they are virgins in a spiritual sense.

 

The Bible describes them as the bride of the lamb, or the lamb's wife. Revelation 21:2, 9

So, collectively, the 144,000 make up the bride.

 

I would say yes, there is not only simplicity in Christ, but order and clarity.

However, I'm not sure what it is you have in mind.

If I could make a helpful suggestion for your studies, use your concordance, in this case for simplicity, and examine other uses. 

[Mr. M]

17 minutes ago, CHC said:

The more I read the Bible and try to discern what it means the more confused I get and reading everyone else's 'I'm so clear on this I am right' posts that all differ in how they are right signifies it is not simple at all. I'm hoping it isn't because I have no idea how I am meant to live in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. From what I can see so many have trouble with it too, even those who say they don't because they believe the opposite of another claiming to be 'clear', if any of that makes sense. 

Stick to it, and the sense will come with your desire.

[Mr. M]

8 hours ago, Mr. M said:

that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 

3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds 

may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 

 

8 hours ago, Mr. M said:

2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves

from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Chaste virgin G53 hagnos=chaste, pure

1 John 3:

 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 

3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

Proverbs 22:11 He that loves pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.

[farouk]

41 minutes ago, CHC said:

The more I read the Bible and try to discern what it means the more confused I get and reading everyone else's 'I'm so clear on this I am right' posts that all differ in how they are right signifies it is not simple at all. I'm hoping it isn't because I have no idea how I am meant to live in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. From what I can see so many have trouble with it too, even those who say they don't because they believe the opposite of another claiming to be 'clear', if any of that makes sense. 

Hi @CHC Think in terms of sanctification, 'called to be saints' (1 Corinthians 1.1-3)

[Guest CHC]

Just now, farouk said:

Hi @CHC Think in terms of sanctification, 'called to be saints' (1 Corinthians 1.1-3)

I hear you, I just read and am very unclear on specific meanings (I mean so many of the parables etc are interpreted with various emphasis on certain elements favoured over others) and so I seek to look for interpretation etc and there seems to be good arguments from different angles. I trust that those giving different interpretations are faithful Christians. It frustrates me, I am scared of believing the wrong thing. I just want to follow Christ faithfully, yet I get scared of being on the wrong path.