Ephesians 5:28-31
What is written? (ESV)
In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.
What does it say?
Similarly, husbands should love their wives as themselves, since whoever loves his wife loves himself. For nobody ever hates his own body, but nourishes it and cares for it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. Therefore, a man shall leave father and mother and hold securely to his wife – the two becoming one flesh.
What is its immediate context?
Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus giving encouragement and instruction. In this immediate context, Paul is instructing on household relationships. He speaks specifically to wives (vss 22-24, 33), to husbands (vss 25-33, 6:4), to children (6:1-3), and finally to the master-servant relationship (6:5-9).
How Ephesians 5:28-31 is applied across Bible answers
What is Biblical marriage?
Husbands are to care for and cherish their wives as Christ does His church. Paul concludes with the same truth from Creation1 - that the two become "one flesh" in marriage.
