Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 7:4
The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian church to regulate marital conduct and prevent sexual immorality. He addresses both husbands and wives simultaneously, establishing reciprocal obligations during a period when they are physically united in marriage.
The words — The Greek verb ἐξουσιάζει (exousiazei) translates literally as "has authority over." Paul uses this term to declare that neither spouse retains exclusive control over their own physical body.
The thread — The text grounds this mutual claim in the marital duty described in 1 Corinthians 7:3 and 7:5. The New Testament reinforces the binding nature of this union in Matthew 19:9 and Mark 10:11, while Hosea 3:3 illustrates the covenantal expectation of exclusive spousal fidelity.
Why it lands — The verse requires each reader to acknowledge their partner's equal claim to their physical life and to surrender unilateral control over intimacy. It demands practical obedience to shared authority rather than self-directed use of the body.
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
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.
Cross-references
- Hosea 3:3 Then I said to her, “You must live with me for many days; you must not be promiscuous or belong to another, and I will do the same for you.”
- Matthew 19:9 Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
- Mark 10:11 So He told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her.