1 Corinthians 7:4
What does 1 Corinthians 7:4 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 7:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 7:4 means
Paul deepens the principle of mutuality by saying the wife has authority over the husband’s body and the husband over the wife’s. This is striking in a world where male dominance was often assumed. Christian marriage, as Paul presents it, is a shared life where each belongs to the other in love. Authority here is not tyranny but a pledge of care and availability. This counters both selfish claiming and cold withholding. The body is not a tool for personal gratification but a trust to be offered for the other’s good. In Christ, marriage reorients rights and privileges into service and unity. This verse anchors marital intimacy in covenantal belonging, not mere passion or power.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The wife hath not power over her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power over his own body, but the wife.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The wife hath not power over her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power over his own body, but the wife.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The wife has not power over her body, but the husband; and in the same way the husband has not power over his body, but the wife.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862the wife over her own body hath not authority, but the husband; and, in like manner also, the husband over his own body hath not authority, but the wife.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The wife hath not power of her own body: but the husband. And in like manner the husband also hath not power of his own body: but the wife.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The wife has not authority over her own body, but the husband: in like manner also the husband has not authority over his own body, but the wife.
Context
Verse 4 follows verse 3’s call to render marital dues by describing the theological foundation: mutual authority. This prepares for verse 5’s caution against depriving one another except for limited, agreed times of prayer. Seeing this progression helps the reader catch Paul’s pastoral wisdom: he is not treating intimacy as optional or manipulative, but as a shared stewardship. After setting this pattern within Christian marriages, he will move in verses 10–16 to address perseverance in marriage, including mixed-faith unions. The groundwork here underscores that mutuality and faithfulness mark Christian marriage.
v.3Let the husband render unto the wife her due: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
v.4This passage
v.5Defraud ye not one the other, except it be by consent for a season, that ye may give yourselves unto prayer, and may be together again, that Satan tempt you not because of your incontinency.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 10:11
And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her:
- Hosea 3:3
and I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be any man’s wife: so will I also be toward thee.
- Matthew 19:9
And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth adultery.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore 1 Corinthians 7
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on 1 Corinthians 7.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Courtship
Courtship, a journey of intentional relationship-building, is a concept beautifully illuminated by the wisdom found in God's Word.
Topic
Bible Verses About Dating
Dating, while not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, can be guided by biblical principles for wise and God-honoring relationships
Topic
Bible Verses About Fasting
Fasting in the Bible is a spiritual discipline involving abstinence from food for a period, often coupled with prayer and repentance.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Fear of Death
When you're afraid to die — what scripture promises about the last enemy.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When Your Marriage Is Falling Apart
When the silence at home is louder than the words — verses to pray for your marriage.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You're Struggling With Addiction
When the cycle won't break — verses for the long road home.