THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Why do you address me regarding physical attractiveness? It is so that you might recognize her remarkable purity, leading you to appreciate her inner beauty. Purity is extraordinary, yet it becomes even more splendid when paired with external beauty. Thus, when Scripture speaks of Joseph's virtue, it first recounts his physical attractiveness, stating: "But Joseph was beautiful in stature and handsome in face" (Genesis 39:6), and thereafter describes his purity, indicating that his looks did not lead him into immorality. Indeed, beauty is not the source of sexual sin, nor is lack of beauty the root of virtue.
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Numerous women, who radiate physical beauty, also exemplify exceptional chastity, while others who may be unattractive in appearance often reveal even deeper spiritual flaws, having sullied themselves through numerous acts of fornication. The disposition of the soul, rather than the physical form, ultimately governs both states. The Scripture emphasizes her virginity by mentioning it twice. By declaring, "a virgin was," it further states, "a virgin whom the husband knew not." Many young women may maintain their physical purity while harboring deep moral corruption, adorning themselves to draw the gaze of admirers from all around, enticing young men and leading them into peril. Moses, aiming to illustrate that she was not one of these but rather a maiden who was virtuous both in body and spirit, affirms, "A maiden she was; .... a virgin, whom the husband knew not."
There were several reasons that could have revealed her to men: first her physical beauty, and second her activities. If she had remained confined to the women's quarters, like many young women today, never venturing into public or leaving her parents' home, it would be of little merit to claim that "she was not recognized by her husband." However, when you consider that she went out to the square—compelled to go daily, sometimes more than once for water—and still remained unknown to any man, this reflects a unique commendation for her. In fact, if another girl, not frequently visiting the square, accompanied by other maidens while lacking virtue and displaying an unattractive demeanor, often loses her purity through such outings, then this one, who ventured out daily alone from her parents' home—not just to the square but to the spring bustling with others—should rightly evoke admiration for having maintained her unblemished character despite constant interactions, physical beauty, or the throngs she encountered. Instead, she preserved her purity in both body and soul, exemplifying the holiness that Paul desires when he urges that we strive "to be holy both in body and spirit" (1 Cor. 7:34).