The surrounding pagan culture, which was deeply immoral, was profoundly influenced by the sexual purity of the Christians. It became widely known that chastity was the quintessential Christian virtue that flowed from the holiness of God. Young women, trained in the meaning and purpose of chastity by older women, strove to keep themselves pure for their future husband. Young men learned the virtue of self-control. Christian men were taught to treat women with honour and respect, to love their wives and to be faithful to their marriage.