What does Ephesians 5:28 mean?

Explanation

Ephesians 5:28 exhorts husbands to love their wives as they love their own bodies.

The imperative implies that just as a person naturally cares for and nurtures their own physical being, a husband should express the same level of concern and affection towards his wife.

The statement is both literal and metaphorical.

Literally, it commands tangible acts of care and affection; metaphorically, it suggests an inseparable unity between husband and wife.

The verse continues to declare that he who loves his wife loves himself, reflecting the belief that the marital relationship fosters self-love through the loving care for the other.

Historical Context

When the Apostle Paul wrote Ephesians, the Greco-Roman world viewed women with a degree of ambivalence.

Women were often considered property and inferior to men.

The Christian ethic introduced by Paul was revolutionary; it called husbands to recognize their wives as equal partners deserving love and respect.

In this context, Paul's instructions challenge prevailing social norms and advocate for a mutual and sacrificial relationship between spouses, which was a significant shift from contemporary attitudes.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, Ephesians 5:28 speaks to the sanctity of marriage and the call for husbands to emulate Christ's love for the church in their relationship with their wives.

It implies a sacrificial love that extends beyond feelings, seeking the best for the other.

Different theological viewpoints may emphasize various aspects of this ideal, conservative interpretations stress the roles and responsibilities within marriage, while progressive viewpoints might focus on the partnership and equality the verse suggests.

Practical Applications

The teachings of Ephesians 5:28 can be applied in daily life by encouraging husbands to actively care for the well-being of their wives, offering support, showing empathy, and making sacrifices.

Acts of service, quality time, affirming words, and other expressions of love are practical ways husbands can put this instruction into action, fostering a nurturing and supportive environment within the marriage.

Cross-References

• Genesis 2:24 KJV: "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."
• 1 Peter 3:7 KJV: "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."
• 1 Corinthians 7:3 KJV: "Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the phrase "love their wives" is "ἀγαπᾶν τὰς ἑαυτῶν γυναῖκας" (agapan tas heautōn gynaikas), where "ἀγαπᾶν" (agapan) refers to love that is selfless and unconditional.

The Greek word for "own bodies" is "ἑαυτοῦ σῶμα" (heautou soma), emphasizing personal care and intimacy, reflecting a deep level of love and care that one extends to oneself reflexively.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Ancient cultures often dictated hierarchical structures within marriage, where the husband's authority was absolute.

By contrast, in the Judeo-Christian tradition, the concept of marital love includes a sense of duty and care that echoes God's covenantal love for humanity.

The emphasis on unity and care in Ephesians differs significantly from other ancient views of marriage that were primarily transactional or patriarchal.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, psychological studies affirm the benefits of close, caring relationships for individual health and well-being.

The practice of caring for a spouse as one's own body might contribute to emotional fulfillment and life satisfaction, aligning well with modern understandings of mental health and its connection to relationship quality.

Commentaries

Numerous Bible scholars and theologians have commented on Ephesians 5:28.

Matthew Henry's commentary emphasizes the unity within the marriage covenant and the natural inclination to love oneself, projecting this onto the way husbands should love their wives.

John Calvin also speaks of mutual love and care within marriage, where self-love is not selfishness but rather the basis for a shared life.

Contemporary scholars like N.T.

Wright point out the countercultural nature of Paul's instruction, emphasizing mutual submission within the love between a husband and wife against the backdrop of ancient societal norms.