Day 5: Let your marriage mirror christ and his church (part 2)
READ IT
Ephesians 5:28-33
28 In the same way, husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hates his own flesh but provides and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, 30 since we are members of his body. 31 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. 32 This mystery is profound, but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband.
TAKE IT TO HEART
Reflect the unity between Christ and the Church through your marriage
In Ephesians 5:28-33, Paul continues his teaching on marriage, deepening the understanding of the love and unity between husbands and wives. These verses emphasize the inseparable bond between a husband and wife, likening it to the unity between Christ and the Church. As we reflect on this passage, we are invited to view marriage not merely as a social contract but as a sacred union that mirrors the relationship between Christ and His people.
Paul writes, "In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself" (v. 28). This verse encapsulates the profound unity that exists within marriage. Husbands are called to love their wives not as a separate entity but as a part of themselves. Just as one cares for their own physical and emotional well-being, so too should they care for the well-being of their spouse. This teaches us that in marriage, self-interest gives way to a mutual care that benefits both partners.
The comparison to the body continues in verse 29: “After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church.” Here, Paul speaks of the nurturing aspect of love. A husband is called to care for his wife with the same attentiveness and concern he shows for himself. This isn't about indulgence or pampering but about providing and protecting in a way that ensures both physical and spiritual flourishing.
In verses 30-31, Paul reminds us of the profound mystery of marriage: “For we are members of his body. ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’” This verse refers back to the creation narrative in Genesis, showing that marriage is a divine institution. The unity between husband and wife is not just emotional or physical but spiritual—a reflection of the unity between Christ and the Church. As “one flesh,” their lives are intertwined, called to live in harmony, mutual love, and respect.
Paul concludes in verse 33: “Each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” Love and respect are the two foundational pillars of a godly marriage. Husbands are to show a deep, sacrificial love, while wives are called to respect and honor their husbands. Together, these attributes reflect the relationship between Christ and the Church.
As we meditate on this passage, we are reminded that marriage is a sacred reflection of God’s covenant with us—marked by love, sacrifice, unity, and respect. Whether we are married or not, these truths can inspire us to seek relationships that are marked by Christ-like love and mutual respect, striving to honor God in all that we do.
LIVE IT
• Reflect on how God has blessed your marriage. Take time today to thank Him for your spouse.
• You and your spouse speak about any prayer concerns you have individually or as a couple. Pray together and ask God for guidance.
• Pray: Lord, thank you for my spouse and I ask for Your hand on our marriage. Bless us, keep us, and help us to grow closer to You each day.
GO DEEPER
Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. Two are better than one. Think about ways that your spouse lifts you up on a daily basis and how you do the same for them. Ask your spouse if there any ways they need to help today and how they can be prayed for.
Ephesians 5:28-33
28 In the same way, husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hates his own flesh but provides and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, 30 since we are members of his body. 31 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. 32 This mystery is profound, but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband.
TAKE IT TO HEART
Reflect the unity between Christ and the Church through your marriage
In Ephesians 5:28-33, Paul continues his teaching on marriage, deepening the understanding of the love and unity between husbands and wives. These verses emphasize the inseparable bond between a husband and wife, likening it to the unity between Christ and the Church. As we reflect on this passage, we are invited to view marriage not merely as a social contract but as a sacred union that mirrors the relationship between Christ and His people.
Paul writes, "In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself" (v. 28). This verse encapsulates the profound unity that exists within marriage. Husbands are called to love their wives not as a separate entity but as a part of themselves. Just as one cares for their own physical and emotional well-being, so too should they care for the well-being of their spouse. This teaches us that in marriage, self-interest gives way to a mutual care that benefits both partners.
The comparison to the body continues in verse 29: “After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church.” Here, Paul speaks of the nurturing aspect of love. A husband is called to care for his wife with the same attentiveness and concern he shows for himself. This isn't about indulgence or pampering but about providing and protecting in a way that ensures both physical and spiritual flourishing.
In verses 30-31, Paul reminds us of the profound mystery of marriage: “For we are members of his body. ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’” This verse refers back to the creation narrative in Genesis, showing that marriage is a divine institution. The unity between husband and wife is not just emotional or physical but spiritual—a reflection of the unity between Christ and the Church. As “one flesh,” their lives are intertwined, called to live in harmony, mutual love, and respect.
Paul concludes in verse 33: “Each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” Love and respect are the two foundational pillars of a godly marriage. Husbands are to show a deep, sacrificial love, while wives are called to respect and honor their husbands. Together, these attributes reflect the relationship between Christ and the Church.
As we meditate on this passage, we are reminded that marriage is a sacred reflection of God’s covenant with us—marked by love, sacrifice, unity, and respect. Whether we are married or not, these truths can inspire us to seek relationships that are marked by Christ-like love and mutual respect, striving to honor God in all that we do.
LIVE IT
• Reflect on how God has blessed your marriage. Take time today to thank Him for your spouse.
• You and your spouse speak about any prayer concerns you have individually or as a couple. Pray together and ask God for guidance.
• Pray: Lord, thank you for my spouse and I ask for Your hand on our marriage. Bless us, keep us, and help us to grow closer to You each day.
GO DEEPER
Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. Two are better than one. Think about ways that your spouse lifts you up on a daily basis and how you do the same for them. Ask your spouse if there any ways they need to help today and how they can be prayed for.