Beautiful Symmetry in 1 Corinthians 7
by Don Johnson
Observe how Paul is almost sing-song in his repetition; he alternates mentioning the woman first and the man first. Before any analysis of word meaning or historical context, Paul already makes a point through the structure of symmetry.
1 Corinthians 7 Symmetry (using NIV)
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Man/Husband |
Woman/Wife |
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2b each man should have his own wife |
2c and each woman her own husband |
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3a The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, |
3b and likewise the wife to her husband |
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4b In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife |
4a The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. |
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11b And a husband must not divorce his wife |
10b A wife must not separate from her husband. |
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12b If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. |
13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him |
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14a For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, |
14b and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. |
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16b how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? |
16a How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? |
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33But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world–how he can please his wife– |
34c But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world–how she can please her husband. |
