Ephesians 5 tells us marriage symbolises the profound relationship between Christ and the church, echoing Genesis. Paul emphasizes marriage’s divine purpose as a reflection of humanity’s intended bond with Jesus. Similar to admiring a scenic picture but yearning for the real experience, marriage offers a glimpse into the deeper spiritual connection believers have with Christ. Yet, problems arise when people expect marital bliss to satisfy their spiritual longing completely. Recognising both the beauty and limitations of marriage should point us to Christ and cause us to root our lives and marriages in the light of a relationship with Jesus.
Investing in marriage
Ephesians 5:22-33
Wives and Husbands
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
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