Yes, 1 Corinthians 7 teaches that husband and wife are on equal ground, with mutual authority over each other's bodies.
The passage explicitly states that the wife's body is not hers alone but also her husband's, and likewise the husband's body is not his alone but also his wife's. Les Feldick emphasizes this as a 50-50 shared arrangement, focusing on meeting each other's sexual needs and never using sex as a means of control. This mutual consent and consideration define the marriage relationship in this chapter.
1 Corinthians 7:4 — This verse directly establishes the mutual authority and equality between husband and wife in marriage.
In 1 Corinthians 7, the Apostle Paul addresses the marriage relationship, specifically regarding physical intimacy. The key principle is mutual ownership and authority: the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. This establishes an equal standing in the marriage union. Paul further instructs that spouses should not deprive each other except by mutual consent for a time, emphasizing the importance of agreement and consideration. This teaching underscores that the marriage relationship is not one-sided but shared, with both partners having equal rights and responsibilities. While the passage focuses on physical needs, it sets a broader tone of mutuality and respect that characterizes the Christian marriage relationship.
Les Feldick teaches that 1 Corinthians 7 presents a 50-50 marriage relationship, where neither spouse has sole authority over their own body. He emphasizes that this mutual authority means each spouse must consider the other's needs, and sexual intimacy should never be used as a means of control or leverage. Les frequently contrasts this equality with the headship passages in Ephesians 5, explaining that the husband's headship is not about domination but about loving his wife as Christ loves the church. He stresses that the husband is to be the head, but this does not make the wife a 'gopher' or slave; rather, she is a part of him, and they are one. Les uses the analogy of Christ and the church to illustrate the ideal marital relationship: just as Christ gives Himself for the church, the husband should live totally for the benefit of his wife. This mutual submission and love create a union where divorce is unlikely and harmony prevails.
Yes, Les Feldick teaches that 1 Corinthians 7 gives the husband and wife equal standing. He notes that neither spouse has sole authority over their own body; the wife's body belongs to the husband and the husband's body belongs to the wife. This mutual ownership establishes a shared, 50-50 arrangement in marriage.
According to Les, the teaching in 1 Corinthians 7 is about meeting the sexual needs of both partners. Because the relationship is mutual, each spouse should be aware of and respond to the other's needs. Deprivation should only occur by mutual consent, and sex should never be used as a control mechanism or leverage.
While 1 Corinthians 7 emphasizes equality, Ephesians 5 teaches that the husband is the head of the wife. Les reconciles this by explaining that headship is not about domination but about love and responsibility. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church, and the wife is to submit as the church does to Christ. This creates a perfect relationship with no room for abuse.
Equal Ground in Marriage
Les teaches that 1 Corinthians 7 presents husband and wife on equal footing, with mutual authority over each other's bodies, making the marriage a 50-50 arrangement.
Husband's Love Command
Les emphasizes that the husband is commanded to love his wife, and notes that Scripture never commands the wife to love the husband, highlighting the husband's responsibility.
Headship and Submission
Les clarifies that the husband being head does not make the wife a 'gopher' or slave; the relationship is to mirror Christ and the church.
Christ-like Attitude
Les explains that a husband's attitude toward his wife should be like Christ's toward the church—total love, even to the point of dying for her.
Husband's Beneficial Role
Les teaches that just as Christ is head of the church for our benefit, the husband should live totally to the benefit of his wife.
Not Downtrodden
Les stresses that the Bible never gives the husband authority to downtrod his wife; she is not a servant but a part of him, and they are one.
Mutual Submission
Les introduces Ephesians 5 with 'submitting yourselves one to another,' showing that submission is mutual, even as he addresses wives specifically.
Union as One
Les emphasizes that in marriage, two become one, paralleling our union with Christ, and stresses the husband's responsibility in that relationship.
1 Corinthians 7:4: 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.
This verse establishes the mutual authority and equality in marriage, the core of Les's teaching on 1 Corinthians 7.
1 Corinthians 7:5: Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
This verse instructs mutual consent when depriving each other of physical intimacy, reinforcing the mutual consideration principle.
Ephesians 5:22: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Les uses this verse to explain the wife's submission in the context of mutual submission and Christ-like love, not subjugation.
Ephesians 5:25: Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
This verse is key for Les's teaching on the husband's sacrificial love and responsibility in marriage.
Yes, 1 Corinthians 7:4 states that the wife does not have power over her own body, but the husband does, and vice versa. Les Feldick teaches this as a mutual 50-50 arrangement where both spouses have equal rights.
Les teaches that sex should never be used as a means of control or leverage. He emphasizes that because the marriage relationship is mutual, spouses should always consider each other's needs and only deprive each other by mutual consent.
Les reconciles the equality in 1 Corinthians 7 with the headship in Ephesians 5 by explaining that headship is not about domination but about love and responsibility. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church, and the wife is to submit as the church does to Christ, creating a perfect relationship.
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Really Says About Marriage — 1 Corinthians 7 Explained