1 Corinthians 7:4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
Paul continues with these two verses in instructing us as husbands and wives as to how we are to treat each other. He first lets us know that we should not be ashamed in the presence of each other, we have become one flesh and and our bodies belong not to one of them, but each belongs totally to the other. Each partner is given the right over the spouse’s body for the satisfaction of the other in the covenant of marriage. Verse 5 is saying that the two should comfort one anther and not refuse the closeness a husband and wife should have. If they have agreed to a period of no personal contact because of a time of pray fasting it is OK, or if there has been a sickness or pregnancy. This abstinence period should not last long though so that one or the other becomes vulnerable to a sinful desire. This is not just a physical togetherness with the husband and wife, but is a bond between them.