Ephesians 5:31
New International Version
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”

New Living Translation
As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”

English Standard Version
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

Berean Standard Bible
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”

Berean Literal Bible
"Because of this, a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will be into one flesh."

King James Bible
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

New King James Version
“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

New American Standard Bible
FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND HIS MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.

NASB 1995
FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.

NASB 1977
FOR THIS CAUSE A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND SHALL CLEAVE TO HIS WIFE; AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.

Legacy Standard Bible
FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.

Amplified Bible
FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND HIS MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED [and be faithfully devoted] TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.

Christian Standard Bible
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.

American Standard Version
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh.

Contemporary English Version
As the Scriptures say, "A man leaves his father and mother to get married, and he becomes like one person with his wife."

English Revised Version
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the twain shall become one flesh.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
That's why a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will be one.

Good News Translation
As the scripture says, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and unite with his wife, and the two will become one."

International Standard Version
"That is why a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh."

Majority Standard Bible
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”

NET Bible
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.

New Heart English Bible
"For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."

Webster's Bible Translation
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Weymouth New Testament
"For this reason a man is to leave his father and his mother and be united to his wife, and the two shall be as one."

World English Bible
“For this cause a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife. Then the two will become one flesh.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“For this cause will a man leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife, and the two will be into one flesh”;

Berean Literal Bible
"Because of this, a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will be into one flesh."

Young's Literal Translation
'for this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and they shall be -- the two -- for one flesh;'

Smith's Literal Translation
For this a man shall leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they shall be two in one flesh.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“For this reason, a man shall leave behind his father and mother, and he shall cling to his wife; and the two shall be as one flesh.”

New American Bible
“For this reason a man shall leave [his] father and [his] mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

New Revised Standard Version
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For this reason shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Therefore, a man should leave his father and his mother and should cleave to his wife, and the two of them shall be one flesh.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh.

Godbey New Testament
on account of this a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave unto his wife: and they two shall be one flesh.

Haweis New Testament
For this reason shall a man forsake his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and the two shall be as one flesh.

Mace New Testament
the scripture says, "for this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be united to his wife, and they two shall be as one."

Weymouth New Testament
"For this reason a man is to leave his father and his mother and be united to his wife, and the two shall be as one."

Worrell New Testament
For this cause, will a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh.

Worsley New Testament
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Wives and Husbands
30For we are members of His body. 31“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church.…

Cross References
Genesis 2:24
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Matthew 19:5
and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?

Mark 10:7-8
‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, / and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh.

1 Corinthians 6:16
Or don’t you know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”

1 Corinthians 7:10-11
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. / But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.

Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.

Colossians 3:18-19
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. / Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

1 Peter 3:1-7
Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives / when they see your pure and reverent demeanor. / Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, ...

1 Timothy 5:14
So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.

1 Corinthians 11:11-12
In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. / For just as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

Malachi 2:14-16
Yet you ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have broken faith, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. / Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. / “For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith.

Proverbs 18:22
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.

Proverbs 19:14
Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

Song of Solomon 6:3
I belong to my beloved and he belongs to me; he pastures his flock among the lilies.

Song of Solomon 8:6-7
Set me as a seal over your heart, as a seal upon your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as unrelenting as Sheol. Its sparks are fiery flames, the fiercest blaze of all. / Mighty waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If a man were to give all the wealth of his house for love, his offer would be utterly scorned.


Treasury of Scripture

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Genesis 2:24
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Matthew 19:5
And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

Mark 10:7,8
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; …

Jump to Previous
Cause Cleave Flesh Joined Leave Mother Reason United Wife
Jump to Next
Cause Cleave Flesh Joined Leave Mother Reason United Wife
Ephesians 5
1. After general exhortations to love;
3. to flee sexual immorality;
4. and all uncleanness;
7. not to converse with the wicked;
15. to walk carefully;
18. and to be filled with the Spirit;
22. he descends to the particular duties, how wives ought to obey their husbands;
25. and husbands ought to love their wives,
32. even as Christ does his church.














For this reason
This phrase indicates a purpose or cause, pointing back to the preceding verses where Paul discusses the profound mystery of Christ and the church. The Greek word used here, "ἀντὶ τούτου" (anti toutou), suggests a direct correlation between the divine design for marriage and the relationship between Christ and His church. Historically, this reflects the Jewish understanding of marriage as a covenant, a sacred bond that mirrors God's covenant with His people.

a man will leave
The Greek verb "καταλείψει" (kataleipsei) means to leave behind or forsake. This implies a significant shift in priorities and loyalties. In the ancient Near Eastern context, leaving one's family was a radical step, emphasizing the establishment of a new, primary relationship. This act of leaving signifies maturity and readiness to form a new family unit, reflecting the biblical principle of cleaving to one's spouse.

his father and mother
This phrase underscores the traditional family structure, which was central to Jewish and early Christian life. The mention of both father and mother highlights the completeness of the parental unit, which the man is called to leave. This departure is not a rejection but a reordering of relationships, where the marital bond takes precedence. It reflects the Genesis creation narrative, emphasizing the foundational role of marriage in God's design.

and be united to his wife
The Greek word "προσκολληθήσεται" (proskollēthēsetai) means to be glued or joined closely. This denotes an inseparable bond, a deep, intimate connection that is both physical and spiritual. In the historical context, this union was not merely contractual but covenantal, reflecting God's unbreakable commitment to His people. The unity of husband and wife serves as a living illustration of Christ's union with the church.

and the two will become one flesh
This phrase, "καὶ ἔσονται οἱ δύο εἰς σάρκα μίαν" (kai esontai hoi duo eis sarka mian), is a direct quotation from Genesis 2:24, emphasizing the divine intention for marriage. The concept of "one flesh" signifies more than physical union; it encompasses emotional, spiritual, and relational oneness. In the biblical worldview, this unity is sacred and inviolable, reflecting the holistic nature of God's covenant with humanity. The historical and scriptural context underscores the sanctity and exclusivity of the marital relationship, which is to be a reflection of the unity and love within the Godhead and between Christ and His church.

(31) For this cause.--In spite of much authority, it seems far simpler to consider the words "Even as the Lord . . . His bones" as parenthetical, and refer back to Ephesians 5:28-29. In exactly the same way our Lord quotes the same verse of Genesis (Genesis 2:24) to show the indissoluble character of the marriage tie. Here the similarity of connection with that of the original passage is even stronger. Because a man's wife is as his own body, "for this cause shall a man," &c. To connect these words with those going before is indeed possible, but somewhat too mystical even for this passage.

Shall a man leave his father . . .--The relation of parentage is one of common flesh and blood, and stands at the head of those natural relations which we do not make, but into which we are born. The relation of marriage is the most sacred of all the ties into which we are not born, and which we do make for ourselves, in accordance with a true or supposed harmony of nature. It becomes, says Holy Scripture, a relation, not of common flesh and blood, but of "one flesh." Itself originally voluntary, it supersedes all natural ties. Our Lord therefore adds, "They are no more twain, but one flesh. What God hath joined together let not man put asunder" (Matthew 19:6). Hence it strikingly represents that unity with Christ--voluntarily initiated by Him, voluntarily accepted by us--which yet so supersedes all natural ties that it is said to oblige a man to "hate his father and mother . . . and his own life also" (Luke 14:26).

Verse 31. - For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they two shall come to be one flesh. Quoted in substance from Genesis 2:24. It seems to be introduced simply to show the closeness of the relation between man and wife; it is such as in a sense to supersede that between parent and child. The apostle (as appears from the next verse) has in view, at the same time, the parallel truth - the closeness of the relation between Christ and the Church; it too in a sense supersedes the relations of nature (comp. Luke 14:26; Matthew 12:50).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“For this reason
Ἀντὶ (Anti)
Preposition
Strong's 473: A primary particle; opposite, i.e. Instead or because of.

a man
ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

will leave
καταλείψει (kataleipsei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2641: From kata and leipo; to leave down, i.e. Behind; by implication, to abandon, have remaining.

his
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

father
πατέρα (patera)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

mother
μητέρα (mētera)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3384: A mother. Apparently a primary word; a 'mother'.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

be united
προσκολληθήσεται (proskollēthēsetai)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4347: From pros and kollao; to glue to, i.e. to adhere.

to
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

wife,
γυναῖκα (gynaika)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

two
δύο (dyo)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1417: Two. A primary numeral; 'two'.

will become
ἔσονται (esontai)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

one
μίαν (mian)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

flesh.”
σάρκα (sarka)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4561: Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred.


Links
Ephesians 5:31 NIV
Ephesians 5:31 NLT
Ephesians 5:31 ESV
Ephesians 5:31 NASB
Ephesians 5:31 KJV

Ephesians 5:31 BibleApps.com
Ephesians 5:31 Biblia Paralela
Ephesians 5:31 Chinese Bible
Ephesians 5:31 French Bible
Ephesians 5:31 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: Ephesians 5:31 For this cause a man will leave (Ephes. Eph. Ep)
Ephesians 5:30
Top of Page
Top of Page