Virginity is an important concept in the Bible for several reasons:
1. God’s design for sex within marriage
The Bible teaches that God designed sex to be enjoyed within the covenant of marriage between a husband and wife (Hebrews 13:4). Sex outside of this boundary is considered sexual immorality. Remaining a virgin until marriage honors God’s design for intimate sexual relations to be reserved for marriage.
Some key verses:
“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral” (Hebrews 13:4).
“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body” (1 Corinthians 6:18).
2. Virginity and purity
In the Bible, remaining a virgin is associated with purity before God. When a person loses their virginity, even if it’s through rape, they are considered ritually impure (Deuteronomy 22:13-21). Virginity represents a state of moral and spiritual innocence.
Some key verses:
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous” (Hebrews 13:4).
“Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
3. Virginity “proofs” purity for marriage
In biblical times, a woman’s virginity served as proof that she had not committed adultery before marriage. This ensured the legitimacy of heirs in a marriage. A bloody bedsheet after the first intercourse was considered evidence of virginity (Deuteronomy 22:13-21). While this cultural practice is not observed today, the spirit behind preserving one’s virginity is about faithfulness and purity.
Some key verses:
“If any man takes a wife and goes in to her and then hates her and accuses her of misconduct and brings a bad name upon her, saying, ‘I took this woman, and when I came near her, I did not find in her evidence of virginity,’ then the father of the young woman and her mother shall take and bring out the evidence of her virginity to the elders of the city in the gate” (Deuteronomy 22:13-15).
4. Virginity and obedience to God
Remaining a virgin until marriage is an act of obedience to God’s commands for holiness, purity and faithfulness. This is true for both men and women. Choosing abstinence is a choice to honor God with one’s body.
Some key verses:
“The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body” (1 Corinthians 6:13).
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4).
5. Virginity connects to the spiritual covenant with God
In the Old Testament, Israel is repeatedly portrayed as the bride of the Lord. Just as a bride is expected to remain sexually pure for her husband, Israel was called to spiritual faithfulness to God pictured through sexual purity. The loss of virginity marked a breaking of Israel’s covenant with God through spiritual adultery.
Some key verses:
“And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy” (Hosea 2:19).
“They ask you about the new moons. Say: ‘They are measurements of time for the people and for the pilgrimage.’ And it is not righteousness to enter houses from the back, but righteousness is he who fears Allah. And enter houses from their doors. And fear Allah that you may succeed” (Qur’an 2:189).
6. The Virgin Mary as an example
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is held up as the prime example of a sexually pure woman who remained a virgin until she gave birth to the Son of God. Though she was engaged to Joseph, she miraculously conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit while still a virgin. Her purity indicates she was specially set apart to bear the Son of God.
Some key verses:
“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary” (Luke 1:26-27).
“And Mary said to the angel, ‘How will this be, since I am a virgin?’” (Luke 1:34).
7. Virginity and righteousness
Some women in the Bible are highlighted for their righteousness, devotion to God, and sexual purity. These include Ruth, Esther, and others who set an example of faithfulness. Their virginity is indicative of their upright character and spiritual devotion. Staying a virgin is commendable before God.
Some key verses:
“Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised” (Proverbs 31:29-30 KJV).
8. Circumcision as a “sign” of purity
Male circumcision in the Bible is called the “sign of the covenant” between God and Abraham (Genesis 17:11). It represents a spiritual cutting away of impurity and consecration to God. While not exactly the same as virginity, circumcision similarly connects to purity before God.
Some key verses:
“This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you” (Genesis 17:10-11).
“The Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live” (Deuteronomy 30:6).
9. The church as the pure Bride of Christ
In the New Testament, Christ’s church is portrayed as his pure, spotless bride. Believers are called to refrain from spiritual and sexual impurity as part of the church awaiting her groom. Virginity connects to the spiritual purity of Christ’s bride.
Some key verses:
“I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:2).
“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:31-32).
10. Virginity and the promise of eternal rewards
Remaining a virgin is viewed as a sacrifice worthy of special honor and eternal rewards in heaven. The book of Revelation describes 144,000 virgins “who have not defiled themselves with women” that hold a special place before the throne of God (Revelation 14:1-5). This indicates how virginity connects to eternal blessings.
Some key verses:
“Let not the eunuch say, ‘Behold, I am a dry tree.’ For thus says the Lord: ‘To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant, I will give in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off'” (Isaiah 56:3-5).
“These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb” (Revelation 14:4).
In summary, the Bible upholds virginity as important for honoring God’s design for marriage, maintaining spiritual purity, demonstrating obedience and faithfulness, setting an example for others, and reaping eternal rewards. The concept connects closely to the spiritual ideals of purity, consecration, and righteousness in God’s sight. While virginity itself has no power, the heart of surrendering physical desires to God’s greater kingdom purposes is fundamental to the Christian life.