Ephesians 5:29 - For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly;
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What does "Ephesians 5:29" mean?
Ephesians 5:29, "For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly;" is part of a larger passage (Ephesians 5:22-33) that instructs husbands on how to love their wives. Let's break down the meaning:
"For no man ever hated his own flesh...": This is a fundamental observation about human nature. Generally, people don't intentionally harm or neglect their own bodies. They instinctively care for themselves.
"...but nourishes and cherishes it...": "Nourishes" refers to providing what is necessary for sustenance and well-being (food, drink, rest, etc.). "Cherishes" suggests a tender, affectionate care, treating oneself with gentleness and value.
"...even as the Lord also does the assembly;": This is the key to understanding the verse. The passage draws an analogy between a husband's care for his own body and Christ's love for the church (the "assembly" of believers). Christ nourishes and cherishes the church, providing for its spiritual needs and loving it deeply.
Therefore, the verse means:
Just as people naturally care for their own bodies, husbands should care for their wives with the same level of dedication and affection.
The way a husband treats his wife should mirror the way Christ loves and cares for the church: sacrificially, tenderly, and with a focus on her well-being.
The verse emphasizes the depth of Christ's love for the church by comparing it to the instinctive and fundamental care a person has for their own body.
In context, the verse is not advocating for selfishness. Instead, it is using the natural inclination to care for oneself as an example of how deeply and naturally a husband should care for his wife. It's a call for selfless love and devotion.
Ephesians 5:29 - For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly;
What does "Ephesians 5:29" mean?
Ephesians 5:29, "For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly;" is part of a larger passage (Ephesians 5:22-33) that instructs husbands on how to love their wives. Let's break down the meaning:
"For no man ever hated his own flesh...": This is a fundamental observation about human nature. Generally, people don't intentionally harm or neglect their own bodies. They instinctively care for themselves.
"...but nourishes and cherishes it...": "Nourishes" refers to providing what is necessary for sustenance and well-being (food, drink, rest, etc.). "Cherishes" suggests a tender, affectionate care, treating oneself with gentleness and value.
"...even as the Lord also does the assembly;": This is the key to understanding the verse. The passage draws an analogy between a husband's care for his own body and Christ's love for the church (the "assembly" of believers). Christ nourishes and cherishes the church, providing for its spiritual needs and loving it deeply.
Therefore, the verse means:
Just as people naturally care for their own bodies, husbands should care for their wives with the same level of dedication and affection.
The way a husband treats his wife should mirror the way Christ loves and cares for the church: sacrificially, tenderly, and with a focus on her well-being.
The verse emphasizes the depth of Christ's love for the church by comparing it to the instinctive and fundamental care a person has for their own body.
In context, the verse is not advocating for selfishness. Instead, it is using the natural inclination to care for oneself as an example of how deeply and naturally a husband should care for his wife. It's a call for selfless love and devotion.