Does the Bible make the husband or the wife the authority in marriage?
Scripture presents the husband and wife on equal ground in marriage, a 50-50 relationship. Paul writes that neither has power over their own body but the other, so authority is mutual, not vested in one spouse. This equality applies to the satisfaction of sexual needs within the marriage union.
Les explains that 1 Corinthians 7:4 places the husband and wife on equal ground, a 50-50 relationship. He notes Paul says the wife does not have power over her own body, but the husband, and likewise the husband does not have power over his own body, but the wife. Les clarifies this concerns the satisfaction of sexual needs in the marriage union. He teaches that husbands and wives should be aware of each other's needs and not defraud one another, except by consent. He warns against using sex as a lever, where either spouse withholds to gain an advantage.
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.