Ephesians 5:25-33

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 5:29

For no man ever yet hated his own flesh ,.... This is unnatural, contrary to the first principles of nature; see Isaiah 58:7 ; which the F21 Jarchi in loc. & R. Sol. Urbin. in Ohel Moed, fol. 85. 1. Jews understand of one that is near akin, and there is none nearer than a wife: but nourisheth and cherisheth it ; feeds and clothes it: even as the Lord the church ; who never hated her, but nourishes and cherishes her: Christ never hated his church and people; for his love... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 5:30

For we are members of his body ,.... Not of his natural body, for this would make Christ's human nature monstrous; Christ, as man, is of our flesh and of our bones, or a partaker of the same flesh and blood with us; or otherwise, his incarnation would have been of no service to us; and had our human nature been from Christ, it would not have been corrupted; but our bodies, flesh, and bones, are from the first, and not the second Adam, and so corrupt and sinful; Christ indeed, as God, is the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 5:31

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother ,.... These words contain the law of marriage, and are cited from Genesis 2:24 ; and declare what ought to be, and are a prophecy of what should be; and are observed against polygamy, and to stir up mutual affection; See Gill on Matthew 19:5 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 5:32

This is a great mystery ,.... It has something mysterious in it; it is a figure and emblem of the mysterious union between Christ and his people: for so it follows, but I speak concerning Christ and the church ; or mention this law and institution of marriage, with respect to them; for the leaving of father and mother prefigured Christ's coming forth from the Father, and coming into this world in human nature, and his disregard to his earthly parents, in comparison with his people, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 5:33

Nevertheless, let everyone of you in particular ,.... The apostle returns to his former subject, and recapitulates the mutual duties of husband and wife, after he had enforced them from the instance and example of Christ, and his church; and would have every married person in particular take the directions and instructions given, to themselves: as that the husband so love his wife even as himself ; since they two are one flesh: and the wife see that she reverence her husband ;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:25

Husbands, love your wives - Here is a grand rule, according to which every husband is called to act: Love your wife as Christ loved the Church. But how did Christ love the Church? He gave himself for it - he laid down his life for it. So then husbands should, if necessary, lay down their lives for their wives: and there is more implied in the words than mere protection and support; for, as Christ gave himself for the Church to save it, so husbands should, by all means in their power, labor... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:26

That he might sanctify and cleanse it - The Church is represented as the spouse of Christ, as the woman is the spouse of the man; and, to prepare this Church for himself, he washes, cleanses, and sanctifies it. There is certainly an allusion here to the ancient method of purifying women, who were appointed to be consorts to kings; twelve months, it appears, were in some instances spent in this purification: Six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odors and with other things,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:27

That he might present it to himself - It was usual to bring the royal bride to the king in the most sumptuous apparel; and is there not here an allusion to Psalm 45:13 , Psalm 45:14 ; : The king's daughter (Pharaoh's) is all glorious within, her clothing is of wrought gold; she shall be brought unto the king (Solomon) in raiment of needlework? This presentation here spoken of by the apostle will take place on the last day. See the note on 2 Corinthians 11:2 . A glorious Church - ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:28

As their own bodies - For the woman is, properly speaking, a part of the man; for God made man male and female, and the woman was taken out of his side; therefore is she flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bone; and therefore, he that loveth his wife loveth himself, for they two are one flesh. The apostle, in all these verses, refers to the creation and original state of the first human pair. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:29

No man ever yet hated his own flesh - And this is a natural reason why he should love his wife, and nourish and cherish her. read more

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