Truth Magazine

By Clinton D. Hamilton

Sometimes questions are sent in with elaborative comments in order to present the context from which they are asked. There may be a point or issue that the querist desires to have addressed that does not immediately surface from the question itself. Although the question to be responded to in this column is relatively brief and can be answered with few words, the context in which the question is raised calls for extended remarks in relation to what the Bible says on a broad spectrum relative to the sexual issues in the question, as articulated by the querist.

Question: Please explain 1 Corinthians 7:34 “authority over each other’s body” and Hebrews 13:4 “the marriage bed undefiled.”

Reply: The term rendered power or authority, depending on the translation, in 1 Corinthians 7:4 is exousiazo. It occurs twice in verse 4 and two other times in the New Testament: Luke 22:25 and 1 Corinthians 6:12. Basically, the word means to exercise authority or power over.

It means “to be master of any one, exercise authority over one” (Thayer). In Luke 22:25, reference is to the kings of the Gentiles. In 1 Corinthians 6:12, the context is what he may have the liberty or right to do personally he may not choose to do in some contexts in relation to others. In this case, one is not to let one’s desire for doing it possess him so as to be compelled to do it because what may be lawful may not be expedient.

Sumphero is the term from which expedient is translated. It means “to help, be profitable, be expedient” (Thayer). It is used transitively only once in Acts 19:19 and referred to bringing the books together to be burned. Its other uses are intransitively. It is for our profit that Jesus went away from the earth (Jn. 16:7). We are chastized for our profit (Heb. 12:10). Sumphero is the word in these passages. Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:12 says it may not be to one’s profit or help to be controlled by desires. Paul said that he was not going to be brought under their domination. A lawful thing is not to deprive him of his liberty so as to be controlled by it. Rather, he will exercise his authority by choosing what he shall do.

Now back to 1 Corinthians 7:4. Exousiazo in this passage means “to be master of the body, i.e. to have full and entire authority over the body, to hold the body subject to one’s will” (Thayer). Contextually, Paul says that because of fornications each man should have his own wife and each woman should have her own husband (v. 2). Being married, both the man and the woman have a mutual obligation: each is to let the other control his/her body for the purpose for which they are married. One of these purposes is to avoid fornication (v. 3). If either of the marriage partners does not have access to the other’s body, then there would be the danger of fornication.

This power over the other’s body is for the lawful sexual intercourse which God provided in marriage. It cannot be stretched to include all manner of sexual fantasies that one may want to satisfy. The point of the passage is to exercise authority or control over one’s marriage companion so as to satisfy the sexual drive one might have through the sexual intercourse for which their bodies are suited by the design of the Creator. To read into the text the power for one’s companion to do what is beyond the point and scope of the design of the passage is to misinterpret and misapply the word of God.

Clearly, what is under consideration is the obligation that a marriage companion has to the spouse: to provide the body for the satisfaction of the sexual drive of the other through sexual intercourse. The sexual organ of each is designed for the other. This clearly is what is in view in verse 4. Each is to yield his or her body to the other at the other’s control. This cannot be pushed to include uses which are not under view.

Verse 5 contemplates that there may be times when by mutual consent there is deprivation or lack of sexual intercourse in order to provide leisure for prayer. However, they are to come together again for sexual intercourse lest Satan tempt them for want of self-control. Absences may occur for any number of reasons. During these, self-control of both the mind and the body is the proper behavior. Certainly, for brief periods companions should be able to do this.

Jesus taught that men can make themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 19:12). The idea is that one should exercise self-control in order to conform to the will of God. This is possible; otherwise, Jesus would have been instructing them to do what they did not have the power to do.

The querist asks also for an explanation of Hebrews 13:4 concerning the bed undefiled. The expression in the Greek text is koite amiantos. The instruction is an exhortation: let marriage be honorable in all and the bed undefiled. Fundamentally, Christians are exhorted to hold marriage in the esteem and honor that are suggested by its initiation by God. He made woman for man and they are to be one flesh (Gen. 3:24; Matt. 19:5-6), which refers to sexual union in intercourse (compare 1 Cor. 6:16) that should occur only in marriage as authorized by God.

Amiantos means not defiled, unsoiled (Thayer). Used in this passage (Heb. 13:4) with koite it means pure, free from adultery (Thayer). Koite means “a place for lying down, resting, sleeping in; a bed, a couch; spec., the marriage bed” (Thayer). Used in the plural in Romans 13:13, it means sexual intercourse (Thayer) and is translated chambering in both the King James and the American Standard versions of the Bible.

The “bed undefiled” means that one reserves sexual intercourse to his or her spouse in the marriage bed. That bed is not to be defiled by adultery. Alford in his Greek Testament translated Hebrews 13:4 as follows: “Let your marriage be (held) in honour in all things and your marriage bed be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers, God shall judge.” If the warning is that God will condemn fornicators and adulterers, it is clear that Paul is talking about the absence of adultery in marriage in the exhortation to keep the bed undefiled. Among all things that Christians honor, there should be marriage and it should be held in honor in all its aspects.

What is under view here in the exhortation is sexual intercourse in bed. In particular, it is not to have intercourse that is unlawful or illicit (fornication or adultery). The act of intercourse and whether it is authorized or prohibited is the focus of the exhortation. To read into the passage what people may do in connection with intercourse is to do violence to the intent, language, and context of the passage.

In connection with authorized intercourse, so long as the two marital companions engage in nothing against nature, there would be no prohibition. But one does not learn this from Hebrews 13:4. Homosexuality, lesbianism, and similar sins are condemned (Rom. 1:24-27; 1 Cor. 6:9; 1 Tim. 1:10). These are against the design God has for men. These sins are against the nature of man who is to be one flesh with the spouse to whom the person is joined by God. The sexual organs should be used for the purpose for which they were created. This is according to their nature.

Within the authorizations of Scripture, there are words, dress, and movements that one might use to enhance the excitement of sexual union. However, whatever is done must be within the confines of what is natural and not suggestive of doing evil. The querist commented in elaborations accompanying the request for explanations of the passage with which I have dealt that the Song of Solomon is a very sensual book. Indeed it is. The purpose of the book is to show the beauty and joy of wedded bliss and the imagination that should enliven it. The metaphors and similes of the book show how the lovers thought of one another.

It should be observed that the mind’s imagination is that which ignited the excitement of the emotions in the Song of Solomon. Some might ask, “What about sex manuals?” If the purpose of the manual is to assist people in doing what is right, there probably is no wrong in reading them. However, one should not meditate on and be influenced by that which, if allowed, would lead to a violation of the will of God. If two people really love one another and communicate this emotion both in words and deeds, and if they are truly considerate of one another, they do not need manuals to do what God designed them by nature to do.

Whatever one may do in connection with sexual intercourse would need to be done within the will of God. Every act one does must also be with the full approval of the conscience. If there is doubt about the rightfulness of what is done, the thing done is a sin because we are instructed, “and whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Rom. 14:23b). If one doubts what is being done, then he or she is condemned because it is not done in good conscience (Rom. 14:23a).

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 21, pp. 645-646
November 1, 1990

By Wilbert Garingo Enostacion

On July 16, 1990, Monday afternoon, at exactly 4:26 (DST), Luzon was shaking! The tremor was felt at intensity 7.7 according to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOLCS). Huge buildings collapsed like an accordion. Non-retrival of bodies trapped inside collapsed buildings in Baguio City, Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecij a, Dagupan City in Pangasinan and in the towns of Agoo, Aringay and Caba in LaUnion; had brought the once fresh and consoling air into an odorous air of funeral parlors! In the once tourist spot and “summer capital” of the Philippines, Baguio City, people were seen fleeing like rats, as the aftershock were felt stronger. Roads were buried under tons of mud and rocks in outlying areas where multiple landslides occurred.

The death toll of the killer quake reached to 1,999 as of August 10; the number is increasing as an account of deaths were unknown in many areas.

Though deaths were numberless in this calamity, brethren were spared in all places. No direct victims suffered casuality. However, the after-effect of it does. A sister in Caba lost a child during evacuation when the baby got sick of pneumonia. Based on reports given by brethren, these are the informations needed to be disseminated to all.

Baguio City and Cabanatuan City suffered the most tragic disaster, but no lives of brethren were reported lost. Froilan Nishiss house suffered the worst damage. Andrew Gawe’s four-door owned apartment suffered crackings and broken glasses. In Cabanatuan City and other parts of Neuva Ecija, many lost livelihood caused by the quake.

Faustino dela Cruz of Urdaneta reported that in Pangasinan area, three brethren lost homes when their houses were buried in the mud and flood waters. The same in Tarlac, Dominador Arcega of San Manuel reported that a dam was forcibly opened by the quake and flood waters flowed to houses killing some of the brethren’s working animals.

When the news of the quake reached U.S. brethren, worries on their minds were evident. First to call to seek information regarding the plight of the Filipino brethren was John Humphries of Louisville, Kentucky. He called Noli H. Villamor. Noli in return called this writer to assess the damage caused by the quake to the brethren. Within twenty-four hours, a full report was given to Noli to be relayed to John.

Brother Humphries disseminated the tragic event to some U.S. churches. Somehow, some concerned U.S. brethren immediately responded; however a multitude of them were reluctant. Maybe this was so because, in the past calamities that struck the islands, solicitations by U.S. brethren went into the pockets of some unscrupulous preachers, victimizing the victims!

However, as the day changed to night, and night into day, time has changed from bad to good. At present time, benevolent funds should and will be thoroughly documented to avoid any suspicions from brethren. Every check coming, will be distributed to the needy brethren; bearing the names of brethren, and signed by any preachers; then it will be reported to the sender. To anyone who wanted to know on this style, feel free to contact these men mentioned below this column.

U.S. brethren who have sent immediate assistance were (as of this writing): Connie W. Adams ($200 dollars): it was distributed to the brethren in Santiago sur, Caba, LaUnion. Complete report was submitted to him.

Taylorsville church, Louisville, Kentucky ($200 dollars) was given to a sister whose child died during the evacuation, a member of the Caba church.

Cecil Willis ($100 dollars): it was distributed to the brethren in Aringay.

Though not adequate, it helps in a small way. These were the funds that was received for the brethren in LaUnion. Other places, such as Pangasinana and Tarlac, need financial assistance also to reconstruct their houses and livelihood.

This article was written in behalf of the Filipino brethren who need immediate assistance from U.S. brethren. In this time of need, please open your hearts to the plea of assistance. The aftershocks continue to bring havoc to many saints, especially the after-effects caused by the quake, Prices of prime commodities have zoomed up high to the sky! Gasoline pulled down many into submittance. Rebuilding of houses is not easy as prices of lumber, wood, nails, etc., have gone up after the quake.

Any assistance that can be afforded, please send to those whom you trust most to be disseminated to the poor saints in the Philippines. Please send it via registered airmail to avoid losses on the way. As benevolent funds may continue to flow, reports need updating.

Any of you brethren, can contact for further information and to where the funds should be sent the men listed below. Call them today.

Connie W. Adams, phone: (502) 957-2257 Brooks, Kentucky

John Humphries, phones: (502) 499-9942 or 239-0990 Louisville, Kentucky

Cecil Willis, phone: (409) 642-1456 Woodlake, Texas

In the Philippines, contact: Atty. Noli H. Villamor, phone: 61-66-43 Manila

We thank you all brethren for your deep concern to our needs in this dark hour. Perhaps, the Lord will grant you more material blessings to share with God’s people in your service to the Master. May the words of the Apostle John linger in our minds: “But whoever has the world’s goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue but in deed and truth” (1 Jn. 3:17-18).

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 20, pp. 628-629
October 18, 1990

By Ferrell Jenkins

When Paul and Barnabas returned from their first preaching tour they reported to the brethren all the things which God had done through them (Acts 14:27). Because many brethren in the United States send support to gospel preachers in South Africa and because we know so many of the men personally, I think it appropriate that I give brethren a report of my preaching trip to South Africa.

Brother David Beckley, preacher for the church in Krugersdorp, encouraged me to come to South Africa to present some lessons on biblical authority. He thought I might be able to do this at the conclusion of one of my tours to Europe or the Middle East. Later, I decided to conduct a tour to South Africa and Zimbabwe. In this way I would be able to pay my own way to South Africa and then be able to stay in the country and preach. When this plan was suggested to some brethren and friends in South Africa, numerous invitations to preach were issued.

The Tour

Twenty friends and brethren from across the United States joined me for the tour. We visited Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and surrounding area, the Garden Route, a private game park adjoining Kruger National Park and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. In Cape Town we were met at the airport by Eric and Sharon Reed. Brethren from four congregations met in one location on the Lord’s day so that we could visit with all of them and I was invited to preach for them. The group of about 70 or 80 including our group was made up of whites, blacks, Indians, and perhaps colored (this designation is used in South Africa to describe people of mixed races). Other preachers included Hendrik Joubert, Conrad Steyn and George Harris. Conrad and George have preached for many years in association with the “institutional” brethren. When a sponsoring church in Houston, Texas, made plans to take over the building and hold the deed to it, they “saw the light,” broke with these brethren and took a stand against such innovations. For them it was almost like starting over from scratch. I had an enjoyable visit with Conrad. Both he and George plan to visit brethren in the United States later this year.

When we visited Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia), Foy and Margaret Short, long-time workers in Zimbabwe, and three other Christians drove about six hours from Bulawayo to visit with our group. I think brother Short is the only white conservative preacher now in Zimbabwe. He works primarily with black churches throughout the country.

In Johannesburg we met with the Brixton congregation. The brethren had inivted me to speak, but I suggested they use brother Roy Foutz, a preacher from Ranger, Texas, and a member of our group. Two of my former students, Les and Linda Maydell, several others from Brixton, and David Beckley from Krugersdorp, met us at the airport upon initial arrival in Johannesburg.

After the Tour – The Work Begins

On the afternoon of May 25 I went to the Jan Smuts airport in Johannesburg with my tour members to see them off on their return to the U.S.A. Then I took a flight to Durban which was paid for by several brethren (or churches) in that area. Upon arrival I was met by Basil and Gloria Cass who work mostly with Indian churches, and by Paddy and Sandra Kendall-ball. We drove diretly to Reservoir Hills where the Indian brethren from at least three different congregations had rented a hall large enough to accommodate our meeting. About 70 were present for the lesson. The next day I went about 75 miles to Pietermaritzburg where the Kendall-ball’s labor mostly with black brethren. Several carloads of Indian brethren drove up from Durban to hear the three lessons I presented in a rented school auditorium. The Indian brethren spoke highly of brethren Gene Tope, now of Pine Hills in Orlando, and Jim Lovell, now near Athens, Alabama, for the work they did among the Indians when they worked in South Africa.

On Saturday night I returned to Pinetown (near Durban) and spent the might with Doug and Sheila Bauer. On the Lord’s day I spoke at a specially called 7 a.m. service at Pinetown. The church there is composed of about 15 adults and meets in a rented hall. Brother Bauer took me to the Bluff congregation in Durban where I spoke at the morning and evening services to about 60 persons. Piet and Zorida Joubert work with the brethren there. The brethren have their own building. I enjoyed an overnight visit with Piet and Zorida.

Preaching to the Zulus

Monday morning a long time friend, Paul Williams, came to take me to Eshowe. Paul and Helen work among the Zulus. They had arranged a 4:30 p.m. service and requested that I speak on biblical authority. Paul has had some debates with black institutional brethren and thought this material would help to confirm what he had taught. About 40 were in attendance including only four whites. All of the approximately 25 converts there are young people. As I spoke, one of the brethren, a teacher in the local high school, translated my lesson into the Zulu language. Some songs were in Zulu and others were in English. The service lasted for two and one-half hours and they were still wanting to ask questions when we closed.

In my lesson to the Zulus I mentioned that I once had a Nigerian student who remembered his grandfather offering animal sacrifices. Afterwards Paul told me that many of those present had fathers and brothers who still offer sacrifices. Several of these young Christians have suffered the loss of their home and family as a result of their obedience to the gospel. I was impressed with the level of commitment which I saw in several of these young people.

When men work in places like Eshowe, it is necessary for them to pay from their own pocket for many things that most of us have supplied by the congregation with which we work. They must drive long distances using expensive petrol (gasoline). They must pay for all the printing, advertising, postage, equipment, etc. used in the work. Paul is running short on his work fund and is in need of immediate help. If you can help, please send him a check by air mail to P.O. Box 324, Eshowe, 3815 South Africa.

Paul and Helen returned me to Pinetown on Tuesday afternoon. That evening I met with the Pinctown brethren in a home. They wanted to ask questions, primarily about divorce and remarriage. The session, with a pot-luck thrown in, lasted from 6:30 until 10.

Back to Johannesburg

Wednesday I returned to Johannesburg and was met by Les and Linda Maydell and taken to their home with a welcomed free night. Thursday was a different matter. Les works with the Brixton church and with several black churches scattered across the area. He had requested that I present five lessons on the Scheme of Redemption at Brixton on Republic Day, a national holiday. I was concerned about my voice, but made it through the day without too much difficulty. More than a hundred black and white brethren – some from far away – came to hear the lessons from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Brixton church which hosted the series has its own building. On Friday evening we returned to Brixton to present two more lessons. We were able to catch a few short visits with Ray and Thena Votaw, longtime workers in South Africa, during our visits to Johannesburg.

The lessons on the Scheme of Redemption were taken from my book, The Theme of the Bible, which was recently published in a revised edition. Some friends of mine have helped me purchase 500 copies of the book for free distribution in foreign countries. I took about 70 to 80 copies with me to Africa. Many of these were given to black, white, and Indian preachers and teachers and I am sure they will be used a great deal. Foy Short wanted 40 additional copies for distribution among black brethren in Zimbabwe. Paul Williams wants 20 copies for teachers among the Zulus. Several of the Indian brethren requested additional copies.

Lessons on Authority in Krugersdorp

Saturday and Sunday took me to Krugersdorp where David and Joanne Beckley labor with the church. David also serves as one of the elders. Krugersdorp is the only congregation in South Africa to have elders. Here we were scheduled to present a series of six lessons on biblical authority and two Bible land slide presentations at the Bidi Bidi Nursery School which had been rented for the meeting. The (white) brethren had invited many black Christians from distant places to attend. Several came from Vendaland (about a six hour drive). One group chartered a bus to bring them for the Saturday lessons. We had about 175 present for four lessons on Saturday. Each session included an interesting question and answer period. About 15 to 20 ladies in the Krugersdorp church provided lunch for the entire group at a nearby park. Near the close of the day, some neighbors of the Bidi Bidi Nursery made complaints to the manager of the facility about the presence of so many blacks in the neighborhood. The brethren released me so Brixton could invite me to complete the series. Arrangements quickly were made for me to present the two remaining lessons at Brixton on Sunday morning. I did return to Krugersdorp Sunday evening for one lesson to the brethren there. Both Brixton and Krugersdorp helped me with some of the expenses I had in connection with the preaching portion of the trip.

To me it seems obvious that the future of South Africa belongs with the blacks. What the white brethren are doing to teach and train these black brethren is commendable.

David has assembled some high quality video equipment for use in teaching. He and his son Jon taped the lessons both at Brixton and at Krugersdorp for further use among brethren throughout the country.

The material on Biblical Authority which I used in Krugersdorp is to be published shortly in this country as a study booklet.

Mildred Dark Teaches Women

Sister Mildred Dark of 349 Cason Ln., Murfreesboro, TN 37129, spent about four weeks during April and May in South Africa at her own expense teaching classes for the women. Our paths crossed in Cape Town, and we heard good reports of her work wherever we went.

Conclusion

It was a good trip. During the ten days following the tour I was able to present 23 lessons. I was encouraged by the reception I received and the brethren there seem to have been edified. I am thankful to the Lord for his protection, to Elizabeth, my wife, for her abiding love and friendship, and to the Carrollwood church in Tampa for their encouragement, prayers and financial support. Without them this likely would never have taken place.

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 20, pp. 624-625
October 18, 1990

By Kevin Campbell

“At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me; I pray God that it might not be laid to their charge” (2 Tim. 4:16).

No doubt the apostle Paul was not the last gospel preacher to be deserted in this stand for the truth. Thankfully, I did not have that kind of experience in the debate in which I engaged in August. In another portion of this issue, you may read Larry Ray Hafley’s review of that debate. My purpose in writing is to: (1) Thank those who stood with me and encouraged me, and (2) to correct some of the “exaggerations” that brother Hafley made concerning the debate.

There were many who came to my aid in this effort; without whose help things might not have gone quite as well. I didn’t even know some of these brethren before but called and wrote, believing they could and would help. Ronny Milliner and James Bice sent audio tapes of several debates that proved to be invaluable in my preparation. I was also able to make good use of the charts that brother Milliner has put together in booklet form. Melvin Curry, J.P. Halbrook, Mike Melton, and Charles Nicks provided me with debate books and other material that were a tremendous asset. Brethren, never doubt that good is done through debating. The old debates of W. Curtis Porter are still bearing fruit today when young men like me are able to sit at the feet of such men and benefit from their study. Mike Willis sent two notebooks of debate notes on baptism that were an immense help. To all those who did what they could, I offer my heart-felt gratitude.

A special word of thanks goes to two people in particular. First of all, Larry Ray Hafley was a true brother in Christ and a great encouragement. His constant support.coupled with his insight as a debater and student of the word contributed much to my preparation. His reference in his review to his being “useless” and “unnecessary” as a moderator are simply the signs of his modesty. Just his presence alone was a great comfort, not to mention his ability to help provide answers to my opponent’s arguments. He has been and I pray will continue to be a great soldier of the cross. Secondly, I owe my wife Tracy a special thank you. She endured many a long night alone as I was glued to a debate book or at the office until 11 and 12 o’clock at night preparing my notes. She did a major portion of the typing for me and was a constant source of strength. All of this while having to deal with two little boys has made my respect and admiration for her increase greatly over the last several months.

The brethren with whom I work stood with me as well. They were all excited and helpful in bringing this discussion about. You don’t know how much it means to a preacher to be appreciated and supported by the brethren in what he does. Thanks to all at the Morris Road church of Christ in Gulfport.

Finally, the glory for all of this goes to the Lord. I believe that good was done, not because I or anyone else had much to do with it, but because the Lord’s word is “quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword. ” We have seen and continue to see results of the proclamation of the gospel. It is my prayer that many in this world will be won for the Lord, that he may be glorified in the day of his coming/

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 20, p. 619
October 18, 1990