Source edition
Tertullian. Quinti Septimii Florentis Tertulliani Quae Supersunt Omnia, Volume 1. Oehler, Franz, editor. Leipzig: Weigel, 1853.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a theological and disciplinary treatise arguing that unmarried virgins within the Christian community must wear veils in public and during worship. Initiating his argument with the principle that truth is immutable while church discipline matures over time, the author seeks to justify his stance through both scripture and established practices. A central point of contention is the Apostle Paul's use of the term "woman" (mulier), which the author systematically demonstrates, through linguistic and biblical analysis, encompasses all females, including virgins. He argues that as young women reach physical and mental maturity, they must adopt the veil as a shield against vanity, temptation, and moral corruption. Ultimately, the treatise concludes that scripture, nature, and discipline unanimously demand that virgins be completely veiled, rejecting any superficial or partial compliance.