Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 7:3
The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church while issuing practical instructions on marriage and sexual morality. He speaks directly to both husbands and wives as he outlines their reciprocal obligations.
The words — The Greek ὀφειλὴν (opheilēn) literally means "debt," and ἀποδιδότω (apodidotō) translates to "should fulfill" or "pay back." Paul employs these commercial terms to define the marital obligation.
The thread — This reciprocal duty mirrors Exodus 21:10's requirement to maintain a wife's food, clothing, and marital rights, and corresponds to 1 Peter 3:7's command for husbands to honor their wives. The same mutual surrender framework appears in 1 Corinthians 7:4, which grants each spouse authority over the other's body.
Why it lands — The text requires both spouses to actively render what is owed to the other without withholding or claiming priority. It establishes marriage as a binding exchange of mutual service rather than individual autonomy.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
Cross-references
- 1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
- Exodus 21:10 If he takes another wife, he must not reduce the food, clothing, or marital rights of his first wife.