1 Corinthians 7:4
The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
Original Language Analysis
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἰδίου
of her own
G2398
ἰδίου
of her own
Strong's:
G2398
Word #:
4 of 23
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
σώματος
body
G4983
σώματος
body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
5 of 23
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
8 of 23
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἰδίου
of her own
G2398
ἰδίου
of her own
Strong's:
G2398
Word #:
17 of 23
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
σώματος
body
G4983
σώματος
body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
18 of 23
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
21 of 23
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
Cross References
Matthew 19:9And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.Hosea 3:3And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee.
Historical Context
Roman law gave husbands near-absolute authority over wives' bodies, while wives had little reciprocal claim. Paul's assertion that wives have authority over husbands' bodies was culturally subversive, anticipating his broader teaching on mutual submission in marriage (Ephesians 5:21).
Questions for Reflection
- How does mutual authority in marriage differ from individual autonomy or unilateral control?
- In what ways might spouses wrongly claim "authority" over each other's bodies outside the context of loving service?
- How does this verse inform Christian teaching on consent and mutuality in marital intimacy?
Analysis & Commentary
The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband—the term exousiazei (ἐξουσιάζει, "has authority over") describes mutual authority, not ownership. Paul immediately balances this: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. This reciprocal authority is unique in ancient marriage discourse.
In the one-flesh union of marriage, each spouse's body belongs to the other. This is not license for abuse or coercion, but a call to mutual self-giving love. Neither partner may claim sexual autonomy while married; both have surrendered individual rights to serve the other's needs. This mutual "authority" operates within the framework of love, sacrifice, and benevolence (v. 3).
Paul's teaching directly counters both the ascetics who claimed Christians should abstain even in marriage and the cultural norm allowing men sexual freedom. Instead, marriage involves exclusive, reciprocal sexual commitment. This verse sets the foundation for verse 5's warning against defrauding one another through prolonged abstinence.