Marriage And Sexual Fidelity In The Papyri, Plutarch And Paul -- By: Gerald W. Peterman

Journal: Tyndale Bulletin
Volume: TYNBUL 50:2 (NA 1999)
Article: Marriage And Sexual Fidelity In The Papyri, Plutarch And Paul
Author: Gerald W. Peterman


Marriage And Sexual Fidelity In The Papyri, Plutarch And Paul

G.W. Peterman

Summary

A well known double standard existed in the Roman perspective on sexuality within marriage: extra-marital sex is expected for men (within reason) but wholly condemned for women. Although pockets of dissent are evident, this double standard is generally accepted at all levels of society, being seen in papyri and in literary sources. If a married Roman couple were converted to Christianity, significant changes would need to take place because Paul teaches sexual equality within marriage.

It will be argued in this article that a Christian marriage as described by Paul approaches equality.1 On the other hand, the expectations and social standards of his time contained an explicit double standard: marital fidelity is expected of married women, but not necessarily for married men. Fidelity, especially for a Roman matron, was held as a sign of honour; a reflection of social status.2 Although this status was seriously threatened by the advent of the ‘new woman’, respectable women were still strongly castigated for extra-marital sexual relationships.3 It was expected that men, however, would engage in extra-marital sexual relationships. We can appeal to the oft quoted Against Neaera (Demosthenes 59.122): ‘We keep mistresses for our enjoyment, concubines to serve our person each day, but we have wives for the bearing of legitimate offspring and to be faithful guardians of the household.’ Even though some philosophers

condemned this double standard,4 it was accepted by society at large.

We will assert, therefore, that conversion to Christianity would entail significant changes for the sexual relationship within marriage. We will look at the expectations seen in: (I) two papyrus marriage contracts from Egypt; (II) the advice to bride and groom written by Plutarch; and (III) the advice on marriage and sexuality given by Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:1-7.

I. Papyri

The papyri to be considered are P.Tebt. 104 (92 B.C.) and BGU 1052 (13 B.C.). These are examined owing to their good state of preservation and their explicit good behaviour clauses.5 Confirmatory references will also be made to additional contracts of later date. By way of prolegomena, we should note that such contracts are a window to ...

You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
Click here to subscribe
visitor : : uid: ()