Corinthians 1 Gender

In the New Testament there are various passages that discuss marriage and gender, along with their corresponding, assumed roles. Therefore, the text I have chosen for analysis is a comparison between Paul’s 1 Corinthians 7 and 1 Timothy 2:8-15. Both texts highlight the expectations for each spouse in marriage, however, there are prominent contradictions between each biblical passage. The 1 Cor. 7 passage is about the equality of marriage and includes a discussion on how each spouse has identical marital duties to uphold to one another. This passage has an array of equality to it that is evident in all lines, “The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband”1. This passage goes on to explain that

7 and 1 Tim. 2:8-15 begins with the author, Paul; who wrote each scripture to highlight his views on marriage. Paul is a prominent figure in Christianity as he contributed extensively to the New Testament, including the Corinthians and Timothy verses’. Firstly, the intended audience of the verses are the partners of a monogamous relationship. The Corinthians verse focuses on Paul’s idea on the immortality of marriage. Historically, this verse was written in a time where the significant issue surrounding relationships was not “the more spiritual aspects of marriage, such as love and commitment.”8 Instead he is arguing for mutuality in marriage, and against other verses in the Corinth that imply that marriage is only a sexual relationship.9 Therefore, the Corinthians verse is focusing on the issue of mutuality. Whilst Paul recognizes that “sexual relations are not to be denied their rightful place in marriage,”10 he is emphasizing that the basis of marriage is not only a physicality, as this has been a prominent historical issue. The Timothy verse is written for a similar audience as the Corinthians verse, as it is intended for the husband and wife in a marital relationship. Although, the intended audiences are the same, there is a drastic difference in the content of the Timothy passage. This passage delivers controversial instructions to the married couple that are “gender-specific, though not gender-exclusive.”11 Historically, scholars

The Corinthians verse depicts Pauls’ idea of a non-hierarchal marriage, that is infused with equality through the equal marital duties that each spouse is expected to demonstrate. As Garland argued, the main idea behind the Corinthians text is the mutuality that should be instilled in marriage.13 The evidence that proves this reoccurring idea of mutualism, is seen throughout the entire passage but more specifically through the excerpts about equal marital duties and “mutual consent.”14 that are the same requirements for each spouse. However, the Timothy verse is opposite as there is no gender equality present and the main message is assigning specific gender-roles. A popular argument is that the Timothy passage is, “the one most referred to by those who would limit the freedom and authority of women in the church.”15 This passage stirs up controversy as it is one of the most common passages in the New Testament that has bee accused of limiting women’s opportunities. The Corinthians and Timothy passages are evidently contradictory; the Corinthians passage has instilled an array of equality in marriage and the Timothy passage has designated distinct, but unequal gender-roles. The Corinthians writing is emphasizing the importance of a non-hierarchal marriage through the enforcement of identical marital duties. The Timothy passage offers a clear contradiction to this verse by