They rule over each other’s body (1 Cor. 7:4)

“The wife

Does not rule

Over her own body,

But the husband does.

Likewise,

The husband

Does not rule

Over his own body,

But the wife does.”

ἡ γυνὴ τοῦ ἰδίου σώματος οὐκ ἐξουσιάζει ἀλλὰ ὁ ἀνήρ· ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ ὁ ἀνὴρ τοῦ ἰδίου σώματος οὐκ ἐξουσιάζει ἀλλὰ ἡ γυνή.

Paul said that “the wife (ἡ γυνὴ) does not rule (οὐκ ἐξουσιάζει) over her own body (τοῦ ἰδίου σώματος), but the husband does (ἀλλὰ ὁ ἀνήρ).  Likewise (ὁμοίως), the husband (δὲ καὶ ὁ ἀνὴρ) does not rule (οὐκ ἐξουσιάζει) over his own body (τοῦ ἰδίου σώματος), but the wife does (ἀλλὰ ἡ γυνή).”  Thus, the right to each other’s body was another shared concept.  Neither the husband nor the wife has total control over their own bodies.  The wife controls the husband’s body, just as the husband controls the wife’s body.  Thus, these shared conjugal rights were at the heart of Paul’s thoughts on marriage.  Do you believe that a spouse controls the body of his or her spouse in marriage?