Description
Mutual Submission in Marriage: A Biblical Perspective
In this video, we explore 1 Corinthians 7:4 and its teachings on … (visit YouTube for more)
Transcript
Sometimes as Christians we have to ask ourselves, are we going to follow what culture and society tells us to do? Or are we going to follow the teaching of the Bible? Let’s meditate on 1 Corinthians 7 verse 4. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
And so the first half of this verse might have been very familiar and popular to the culture of the day. Yes, it was quite patriarchal and men ruled often. But the second half of this verse could have come as a surprise. It’s not just the husband having authority over his wife, it’s also his wife having authority over him. It’s both ways.
And so this was neither patriarchal nor feminist. This was mutual submission. This is what the Bible expects of us in our marriages. The husband is not demanding or asserting his rights, and neither is the wife. Neither one of them is saying, I have bodily autonomy. No, they’re saying, I’ve laid down my life for my spouse. And in what happens to my body, I seek their wishes and their best. Here we see this radical expression of love where each party is laying down the life for the other.
And this absolutely does not endorse either party wielding unnecessary and unpleasant authority over the other. No, this is done with love and through love at all times. There is no domination here. There is servant hearted submission. It’s a beautiful thing.
Lord God, thank you for the treasure that you have given us in godly marriage. Please help us to honour this institution that you have established for our good and for your glory. Lord, may your will be done in our lives as we seek the best for our spouses. Amen.
