How does Ephesians 5:21-33 relate to 1 Corinthians 7:4 on marriage? Setting the Core Passages Side-by-Side • 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.” • Ephesians 5:21-33 (excerpts) – – v. 21 “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” – v. 22 “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.” – v. 25 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” – v. 28 “Husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies.” – v. 33 “Each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” Mutual Authority and Mutual Submission • Paul begins Ephesians with a blanket call: “Submit to one another” (5:21). This matches 1 Corinthians 7:4, where each spouse yields bodily authority to the other. • Mutuality is not erased by differing roles; it is foundational. Both husband and wife are: – Equal image-bearers (Genesis 1:27). – Joined in “one flesh” (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:31), so what touches one touches the other. • 1 Corinthians 7:4 stresses shared authority in the bedroom; Ephesians 5 widens the lens to the whole marriage relationship—heart, mind, and body all operating in self-giving love. Complementary Responsibilities • Wives: called to voluntary submission “as to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:22). • Husbands: charged with sacrificial headship, mirroring Christ’s love (Ephesians 5:25-29). • 1 Corinthians 7:4 prevents either spouse from weaponizing authority; no one can demand without also surrendering. • Together, the passages teach: – Headship is never tyranny; it lays down its life. – Submission is never servility; it is freely given trust. – Intimacy is never self-centered; it seeks the other’s good first (Philippians 2:3-4). One Flesh, One Ownership • Paul cites Genesis 2:24 in Ephesians 5:31; Jesus echoes it in Matthew 19:5-6. “One flesh” means: – Physical union (1 Corinthians 7:4). – Shared destiny—sanctifying, nourishing, cherishing (Ephesians 5:26-29). • Because the two are now one, authority over the body is shared; love for the other is love for oneself (Ephesians 5:28). Guardrails for Purity and Protection • 1 Corinthians 7:5 warns against depriving one another, lest Satan tempt you. Mutual availability is a spiritual safeguard. • Ephesians 5:26-27 shows Christ purifying His bride; husbands emulate this by fostering holiness, not exploitation. • Colossians 3:18-19 and 1 Peter 3:1,7 reinforce the balance—wives submit, husbands honor and understand. Practical Takeaways • See every marital decision through the lens of “we,” not “me.” • Husbands: lead by serving—initiate prayer, protection, and provision. • Wives: support by trusting—offer respect, insight, and encouragement. • In intimacy, ask “How can I bless you?” rather than “What do I get?” • Remember the gospel pattern: Christ’s self-giving love empowers mutual self-giving in marriage. |
    |