Topical Bible: Christ is God: As Husband of the Church

Bible > Topical > Christ is God

◄ Christ is God: As Husband of the Church ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The imagery of Christ as the husband of the Church is a profound and recurring theme in the New Testament, illustrating the intimate and covenantal relationship between Jesus Christ and His followers. This metaphor draws from the rich tradition of marriage in the Hebrew Scriptures, where God is often depicted as the husband of Israel. In the New Testament, this relationship is fulfilled and expanded through Christ's union with the Church, His bride.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul articulates this relationship most explicitly in his letter to the Ephesians. In Ephesians 5:25-27 , Paul writes, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless." Here, the sacrificial love of Christ is paralleled with the love a husband should have for his wife, emphasizing Christ's role in sanctifying and purifying the Church.

The concept of Christ as the bridegroom is also evident in the Gospels. In Matthew 9:15 , Jesus refers to Himself as the bridegroom: "Jesus replied, 'Can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while He is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.'" This self-identification underscores His divine role and the anticipated union with His followers.

Theological Implications

The portrayal of Christ as the husband of the Church carries significant theological implications. It underscores the divine love and commitment Christ has for His people, a love that is both sacrificial and redemptive. This relationship is not merely symbolic but is rooted in the reality of Christ's incarnation, atoning death, and resurrection, which establish the foundation for the Church's existence and sanctification.

Moreover, this metaphor highlights the covenantal nature of the relationship between Christ and the Church. Just as marriage is a covenantal bond, so too is the relationship between Christ and His Church, characterized by faithfulness, love, and mutual commitment. This covenant is initiated by Christ and is sustained by His grace and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Eschatological Fulfillment

The imagery of Christ as the husband of the Church also points to an eschatological fulfillment. The Book of Revelation envisions the ultimate consummation of this relationship in the marriage supper of the Lamb. Revelation 19:7-9 declares, "Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure." This future event signifies the complete and eternal union of Christ with His Church, a union that will be celebrated in the new creation.

Practical Application

For believers, understanding Christ as the husband of the Church has practical implications for daily living. It calls the Church to respond to Christ's love with devotion, obedience, and purity. The Church, as the bride, is to prepare herself for the coming of the bridegroom, living in anticipation of His return and reflecting His love and holiness in the world.

In summary, the depiction of Christ as the husband of the Church is a rich and multifaceted biblical theme that reveals the depth of Christ's love, the nature of the Church's relationship with Him, and the hope of future glory. This metaphor invites believers to live in the reality of this divine union, drawing strength and identity from their relationship with Christ, the eternal bridegroom.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 54:5
For your Maker is your husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and your Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 5:25-32
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 62:5
For as a young man marries a virgin, so shall your sons marry you: and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 21:2,9
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Union of Christ and the Church.
... the sake of the church, the Lord"the husband"left the ... saw when He was "in the form
of God," [6181] left ... wife, "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/17 union of christ and.htm

The Church of God.
... to Christ." 2:Cor.11:2. Paul addresses this letter to the church of God at
Corinth.2 Cor.1:1. He presents this church as a chaste virgin to her one husband, ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter vii the church of.htm

Christ the Believer's Husband
... "The woman, is the glory of her husband, even as the church is the glory of Christ."
Agreeable to ... or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God;" and as ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/christ the believers husband.htm

Bands of Love; Or, Union to Christ. "I Drew them with Cords of a ...
... marry not, but are as the angels of God; yet is ... one marvellous exception to the rule,
for in heaven Christ and His ... Let the love of husband be never so pure and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/bands of love or union.htm

The Apostle Has Made Known to us Certain Three Unions...
... or flesh, to be so subject to the husband as the ... were it not that each substance
showeth God to be ... or rather put out, asserting both that Christ hath appeared ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on continence/section 23 the apostle has.htm

On the Various Names and Titles
... Husband and wife are Christ and the church, knowledge of the ... The bridegroom is Christ,
the reason being that he was ... he is the son, he is the heir of God. ...
/.../eucherius/the formulae of st eucherius of lyons/v on the various names.htm

The Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.
... deceased wife's sister or a deceased husband's brother was ... By Him the Church will
be preserved, increased ... by hearing the Word of God, Christ hath commissioned ...
/.../the presbyterian church in the.htm

On the Church and Its Head
... 2:30; Romans 8:9-11.) (2.) In her subordination under her Head, Husband and King ...
in the whole world who have not a right faith in Christ and God," To which ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 18 on the church.htm

The Unchangeable Christ
... Jesus was the Husband of his Church ages ago, he is her Husband still, for ... than has
been made known in the person and work of Jesus Christ the Son of God. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 40 1894/the unchangeable christ.htm

Christ --The Power and Wisdom of God
... said, "I bless God; I am a happy woman now; my husband is reclaimed ... the apostle has
said, "He is unto us who are saved, Christ the power of God and the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/christthe power and wisdom of.htm