March 13, The traditional model for marriage relationships emphasizes hierarchy or chain of command. The implicit message of this model is that women are by nature inferior to men, and therefore need male guidance. This perspective colors the way that families structure themselves, but it also influences the way they interpret biblical passages such as Ephesians Although many traditionalists deny that they view women as being inferior to men, the way they envision male-female relationships in practice belie that claim.
Resisting women in leadership roles, including the ordained ministry, is at least suggestive of such a view. If we affirm the essential equality of the sexes, then male dominance cannot be affirmed.
I would suggest that in 1 Corinthians Paul implies that men and women are not only created as equals but that they should relate to each other on the basis of mutual submission. If this is true, then should we not also read Ephesians 5 in the same light? That is, if 1 Corinthians 7 teaches mutual submission in the context of marriage, then should we not look to this principle in our reading of texts like Ephesians 5?
If this is true, then perhaps passages like 1 Corinthians 14, where Paul appears to silence women in church should be seen as a culturally-relative directive that no longer applies as originally understood. That is, Paul is concerned about how the church is seen from outside, and feels the need to rein in those who have celebrated too greatly their freedom in Christ. We can find several important implications for understanding of marriage and sexuality embedded in I Corinthians 7.
First, Paul goes to great lengths to speak equally to both husband and wife. Second he never equates sexual intercourse solely with procreation; therefore, sexuality can be enjoyed as an end in itself within the context of marriage. Finally, Paul does not in any way suggest that everyone should be married though he does believe that if a person has strong sexual desires then in all likelihood that person should marry.
