Continence or Celibacy?

[CastingCrown]

Yet again, because there isn’t an “Early Church Fathers” forum, I’m at a loss except to post my question here…

In the letter of St. Ignatius to Polycarp he writes:

“If any one can continue in a state of purity, to the honour of Him who is Lord of the flesh, let him so remain without boasting”

Some translations I’ve read render “purity” as “continence” and others have footnotes to say that this implies “celibacy”. However, chastity, continence and celibacy are each different things (although, of course, related).

Can anyone shed any light on this for me? I can’t find the original Greek text online to find out what word is being used here.

 

[Dave_Noonan]

Yet again, because there isn’t an “Early Church Fathers” forum, I’m at a loss except to post my question here…

In the letter of St. Ignatius to Polycarp he writes:

“If any one can continue in a state of purity, to the honour of Him who is Lord of the flesh, let him so remain without boasting”

Some translations I’ve read render “purity” as “continence” and others have footnotes to say that this implies “celibacy”. However, chastity, continence and celibacy are each different things (although, of course, related).

Can anyone shed any light on this for me? I can’t find the original Greek text online to find out what word is being used here.

I think this is the Greek text of what you are looking for, although I also recall that there are a couple of different versions floating around.

textexcavation.com/greekignatiuspolycarp.html

 

[Dave_Noonan]

I think this is the Greek text of what you are looking for, although I also recall that there are a couple of different versions floating around.

textexcavation.com/greekignatiuspolycarp.html

Seems to be “agneia” (chastity would fit the context I think) . Sorry, but I don’t have the Greek font/keyboard installed here.

 

[CastingCrown]

Thanks Dave, particularly for the link to the text in Greek.

I think I can now see why there are variations in the rendering. The literal meaning of the word is “purity”, the word we would use interchangeably with “chastity”. However, the context clearly indicates that Ignatius means more than this (because we’re all called to be chaste) - it must refer to some kind of celibacy or continence being exercised that would be worthy of particular praise.

Given that the sentences before and after the one in question refer to marriage, I’m inclined to believe it refers to continence within marriage, quite possibly of those in the presbytery (“if he reckon himself to be greater than the bishop”). Just a thought

 

[Dave_Noonan]

Thanks Dave, particularly for the link to the text in Greek.

I think I can now see why there are variations in the rendering. The literal meaning of the word is “purity”, the word we would use interchangeably with “chastity”. However, the context clearly indicates that Ignatius means more than this (because we’re all called to be chaste) - it must refer to some kind of celibacy or continence being exercised that would be worthy of particular praise.

Given that the sentences before and after the one in question refer to marriage, I’m inclined to believe it refers to continence within marriage, quite possibly of those in the presbytery (“if he reckon himself to be greater than the bishop”). Just a thought

YW. That’s an interesting theory about continence within marriage…

 

[panevino]

YW. That’s an interesting theory about continence within marriage…

See tertullian
On monogamy-"…others who, after marriage, remained (or became) virgins…"

and then in a previous book “On exhortation to chastity” he writes the following in Chapter 1…"…a third grade remains, monogamy, when after the interception of a marriage once contracted, there is thereafter a renunciation of sexual connection…"

 

[CastingCrown]

See tertullian
On monogamy-"…others who, after marriage, remained (or became) virgins…"

and then in a previous book “On exhortation to chastity” he writes the following in Chapter 1…"…a third grade remains, monogamy, when after the interception of a marriage once contracted, there is thereafter a renunciation of sexual connection…"

The context certainly provides martial continence as an option - I wouldn’t stake my life on it though

When are we going to be getting an “Early Church Fathers” forum on this site?
Pretty please?

 

[panevino]

For what it’s worth

Tertullian exhort to chastity ch13
How many men, therefore, and how many women, in Ecclesiastical Orders, owe their position to continence, who have preferred to be wedded to God; who have restored the honour of their flesh, and who have already dedicated themselves as sons of that (future) age, by slaying in themselves the concupiscence of lust, and that whole (propensity) which could not be admitted within Paradise!