What does 1 Corinthians 7:4 teach about equality between husband and wife?
Paul teaches that in marriage neither spouse has authority over their own body; the wife does not have power over her body, but the husband does, and the husband does not have power over his body, but the wife does. This places them on equal ground, a mutual 50-50 relationship centered on satisfying each other's sexual needs.
Les explains that 1 Corinthians 7:4 deals with the husband-wife relationship, where Paul says the wife does not have power over her own body, but the husband does, and likewise the husband does not have power over his own body, but the wife does. Les says this puts them on equal ground, a 50-50 marriage relationship. The point is the satisfaction of the sexual needs of both parties. Verse 5 continues that since it is 50-50, the husband is to be aware of the wife's needs and the wife of the husband's needs, so they are not to defraud one another unless by consent. Les notes that marriage counselors warn never to use sex as a lever against a spouse, meaning wives should not withhold the marriage bed to gain an advantage, and vice versa.
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.