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Banquet of the Ten Virgins

Methodius of Olympus

Chapter 14

About this work

A literary symposium in which ten women offer speeches on virginity, creation, Scripture, virtue, and Christian perfection, consciously adapting the form of a classical philosophical banquet.

Author: Methodius of Olympus
Date: Late 3rd century
Origin: Eastern Mediterranean
Genre: Dialogue

Chapter XIV.—Virginity a Gift of God: the Purpose of Virginity Not Rashly to Be Adopted by Any One.

Consider besides how, in addition to the words

‹ Chapter 13 Chapter 1 ›

already

quoted

,

he

commends

the

state

of

virginity

as

a

gift

of

God

.

Wherefore

he

rejects

those

of

the

more

incontinent

,

who

,

under

the

influence

of

vain

-

glory

,

would

advance

to

this

state

,

advising

them

to

marry

,

lest

in

their

time

of

manly

strength

,

the

flesh

stirring

up

the

desires

and

passions

,

they

should

be

goaded

on

to

defile

the

soul

.

For

let

us

consider

what

he

lays

down

:

“

But

if

any

man

think

that

he

behaveth

himself

uncomely

towards

his

virgin

,

”

he

says

,

”

if

she

pass

the

flower

of

her

age

,

and

need

so

require

,

let

him

do

what

he

will

,

he

sinneth

not

:

let

him

marry

;

”

properly

here

preferring

marriage

to

“

uncomeliness

,

”

in

the

case

of

those

who

had

chosen

the

state

of

virginity

,

but

afterwards

finding

it

intolerable

and

grievous

,

and

in

word

boasting

of

their

perseverance

before

men

,

out

of

shame

,

but

indeed

no

longer

having

the

power

to

persevere

in

the

life

of

a

eunuch

.

But

for

him

who

of

his

own

free

will

and

purpose

decides

to

preserve

his

flesh

in

virgin

purity

,

“

having

no

necessity

,

”

that

is

,

passion

calling

forth

his

loins

to

intercourse

,

for

there

are

,

as

it

seems

,

differences

in

men’s

bodies

;

such

a

one

contending

and

struggling

,

and

zealously

abiding

by

his

profession

,

and

admirably

fulfilling

it

,

he

exhorts

to

abide

and

to

preserve

it

,

according

the

highest

prize

to

virginity

.

For

he

that

is

able

,

he

says

,

and

ambitious

to

preserve

his

flesh

pure

,

does

better

;

but

he

that

is

unable

,

and

enters

into

marriage

lawfully

,

and

does

not

indulge

in

secret

corruption

,

does

well

.

And

now

enough

has

been

said

on

these

subjects

.

Let any one who will, take in his hand the Epistle to the Corinthians, and, examining all its passages one by one, then consider what we have said, comparing them together, as to whether there is not a perfect harmony and agreement between them. These things, according to my power, O Arete, I offer to thee as my contribution on the subject of chastity.

Euboulios. Through many things, O Gregorion, she has scarcely come to the subject, having measured and crossed a mighty sea of words.

Gregorion. So it seems; but come, I must mention the rest of what was said in order, going through it and repeating it, while I seem to have the sound of it dwelling in my ears, before it flies away and escapes; for the remembrance of things lately heard is easily effaced from the aged.

Euboulios. Say on, then; for we have come to have the pleasure of hearing these discourses.

Gregorion. And then after, as you observed, Thaleia had descended from her smooth and unbroken course to the earth, Theopatra, she said, followed her in order, and spoke as follows.

Notes

1
1 Cor. vii. 36. [On virginity, see Taylor, i. 426, ed. London, 1844.]
2
1 Cor. vii. 37.