Ephesians 5:28-33 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife loves himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourished and cherished it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 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. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
‘As their own bodies’ – The woman is part of the man and one flesh with him (5:28-32; Gen. 2:21-25). When one party acts selfishly, spiteful and sinful, it affects both allowing curses in the marriage, financially, physically (health) and spiritually. The same goes for acting in accordance with God’s Word and thus bringing His blessings forth.
‘For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.’ You and all in Christ-like you make the true saints or the body of Christ (2:19-22; 4:1-6, 25; 1Cor. 6:15; 12:13, 26; Col. 1:18, 24). As representatives of the kingdom of Heaven, we are to follow in His footsteps as stipulated in the gospels (1Pet. 2:21-23).
‘Joined unto’ [Greek: proskollao] glue on to; cemented to.
‘Reverence’ [Greek: phobeo] to strike with fear; to frighten. It is translated “reverence” only here; “be afraid” 29 times; and “fear” 62 times (Rev. 1:17; 2:10; etc.). She is to reverence him as her head (5:23-24; 1Cor. 11:3). This is not to be subservient so that the man can rule, abuse or misuse his wife; but to take lead in all decisions, provisions and stressful matters as well as love, nourish and protect his wife (5:29).
Living the Word 