4. Hath not power. The equal rights of husband and wife are here plainly stated. Neither party has the right to deny the other the intimate privileges of the marriage relation. This does not sanction any form of abuse or excess. On the contrary, Christians must recognize the need for temperance in everything (see 9:25; 1T 618; 2T 380, 381, 474). Married persons should consider themselves as united in a most intimate union and with the most tender ties; therefore, when temptation to unfaithfulness comes to them, each should spontaneously think of the mystical and sacred union that unites him with his married partner and should positively refuse to break this union. Chrysostom expresses it thus: “When therefore thou seest an harlot tempting thee, say, ‘My body is not mine, but my wife’s.’ The same also let the woman say to those who would undermine her chastity, ‘My body is not mine, but my husband’s’” (Homilies xix. 2, 1 Cor. 7:3; , 1st series, 12, 105).
It should not be forgotten that this discussion of the duty and privileges of married people, in the intimate relations of marriage, developed from questions raised by the church at Corinth (see 1). As earlier stated, there probably were some believers who held ascetic views that led them to think that, even in the married state, they were obliged to abstain from sexual intercourse. This verse shows that the very nature of marriage implies that the granting or withholding of the marriage privilege should not be subject to the whim of either party. Each has a claim to conjugal rights; always, however, with the divine qualification that God is to be honored in all things (see 10:31). Knowing that his body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (see 6:19, 20), the believer will not permit the privilege granted him by marriage to become a cause for violation of the command to present his body without defect to the Lord (see Rom. 12:1; 2T 380). The body must ever be kept under the control of sanctified reason.