What is the meaning of Ephesians 5:29? Indeed, no one ever hated his own body – Paul appeals to an everyday reality: caring for ourselves is instinctive. – Scripture assumes this normal self-regard (Ephesians 5:28; Proverbs 19:8). – The point is not selfishness but the obvious truth that people feed, clothe, and protect themselves rather than despise their bodies. – This serves as a baseline for the husband–wife relationship: if a man naturally guards his own flesh, loving his wife is the same kind of care because “the two will become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). but he nourishes and cherishes it – “Nourish” pictures steady provision—food, shelter, rest (Matthew 6:31-32). – “Cherish” suggests warmth, tenderness, and gentle protection (1 Thessalonians 2:7). – We instinctively: • Feed ourselves when hungry. • Dress for warmth or protection. • Seek medical help when ill. • Guard against danger. – In marriage, that habitual attention becomes a deliberate ministry: husbands are called to meet physical, emotional, and spiritual needs with the same diligence they show themselves (Colossians 3:19; 1 Peter 3:7). just as Christ does the church – The self-care analogy reaches its climax: Jesus’ care for believers is the model. – Christ “loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25), proving His devotion by: • Providing spiritual nourishment—the Word, fellowship, and His Spirit (John 6:35; Acts 2:42). • Cherishing her with constant intercession and presence (Hebrews 7:25; Matthew 28:20). • Protecting and guiding as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-15; Psalm 23:1-4). • Preparing her for glory, “to present her to Himself in splendor” (Ephesians 5:27). – Because the church is His own body (Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 12:27), His care is personal, intimate, and unfailing. summary Ephesians 5:29 grounds Paul’s call for husbands to love their wives in an undeniable fact: people naturally care for their own bodies. That instinct illustrates how Christ continually provides, protects, and tenderly treasures His body, the church. Therefore, marital love is to mirror Jesus’ unwavering, nourishing, cherishing devotion—daily, tangibly, and sacrificially—affirming the profound unity God designed for husband and wife and showcasing the Savior’s faithful love for His redeemed people. |
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