Ephesians 5:31 - “For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Ephesians 5:31" mean?
Ephesians 5:31 is quoting Genesis 2:24. To understand its meaning in Ephesians, we need to understand the original context in Genesis and then how Paul applies it.
Genesis 2:24 (Original Context):
"For this cause..." This "cause" refers back to God creating Eve from Adam's rib. It establishes a deep, intrinsic connection between man and woman, unlike any other familial relationship.
"...a man will leave his father and mother..." This highlights the unique priority and commitment of the marital relationship. It signifies severing the primary dependence on parents and establishing a new independent unit. It doesn't mean abandoning or dishonoring parents, but rather prioritizing the marriage relationship.
"...and will be joined to his wife..." The Hebrew word for "joined" (dabaq) implies clinging, cleaving, or adhering strongly. It suggests a very close, intimate, and lasting bond.
"...The two will become one flesh." This is the most profound aspect. It speaks of a complete and intimate union - physical, emotional, spiritual, and even legal/social. It's not just about physical intimacy, but a merging of lives and identities into a unified whole.
Ephesians 5:31 (New Testament Application):
Paul uses Genesis 2:24 as the basis for his discussion on marriage within the larger context of submitting to one another in love (Ephesians 5:21). He's not simply repeating the Genesis verse for its own sake. He's using it as a foundation to explain a deeper, more profound truth about the relationship between Christ and the Church.
Ephesians 5:22-33 outlines Paul's teaching on marriage:
Wives are to submit to their husbands as to the Lord. This is not about inferiority but about recognizing God-ordained roles and responsibilities within the marriage, reflecting the submission of the Church to Christ.
Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her. This is a sacrificial, selfless, and unconditional love.
The husband's love is to sanctify and cleanse his wife, making her holy, just as Christ sanctifies the Church.
Ephesians 5:32 - "This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church." This is the key to understanding the verse. Paul reveals that the marriage relationship described in Genesis 2:24 is actually a type or shadow pointing to the ultimate reality of the relationship between Christ and the Church. Marriage is a picture of God's love and covenant relationship with His people.
Therefore, in Ephesians 5:31, Genesis 2:24 is not just about the physical union of a man and a woman, but it's about:
Reflecting the Relationship Between Christ and the Church: Marriage is meant to be a living parable, demonstrating the love, submission, and unity between Christ and His Bride, the Church.
Sacrificial Love: Husbands are to love their wives with the same sacrificial love that Christ has for the church.
Unity and Intimacy: Marriage should strive for the "one flesh" unity described in Genesis, reflecting the spiritual unity Christians share with Christ.
Prioritizing the Marriage Relationship: Just as a man leaves his parents to establish a new family unit, husbands and wives must prioritize their marriage and work together to build a strong and lasting relationship.
God's Design: The verse emphasizes that marriage is God's design, a beautiful and sacred union meant to reflect His love and His relationship with humanity.
In summary, Ephesians 5:31 is a powerful reminder that marriage is more than just a human agreement; it is a divinely ordained institution that reflects the profound relationship between Christ and the Church. It calls husbands and wives to live out their roles in a way that honors God and demonstrates His love to the world.
Ephesians 5:31 - “For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24
What does "Ephesians 5:31" mean?
Ephesians 5:31 is quoting Genesis 2:24. To understand its meaning in Ephesians, we need to understand the original context in Genesis and then how Paul applies it.
Genesis 2:24 (Original Context):
"For this cause..." This "cause" refers back to God creating Eve from Adam's rib. It establishes a deep, intrinsic connection between man and woman, unlike any other familial relationship.
"...a man will leave his father and mother..." This highlights the unique priority and commitment of the marital relationship. It signifies severing the primary dependence on parents and establishing a new independent unit. It doesn't mean abandoning or dishonoring parents, but rather prioritizing the marriage relationship.
"...and will be joined to his wife..." The Hebrew word for "joined" (dabaq) implies clinging, cleaving, or adhering strongly. It suggests a very close, intimate, and lasting bond.
"...The two will become one flesh." This is the most profound aspect. It speaks of a complete and intimate union - physical, emotional, spiritual, and even legal/social. It's not just about physical intimacy, but a merging of lives and identities into a unified whole.
Ephesians 5:31 (New Testament Application):
Paul uses Genesis 2:24 as the basis for his discussion on marriage within the larger context of submitting to one another in love (Ephesians 5:21). He's not simply repeating the Genesis verse for its own sake. He's using it as a foundation to explain a deeper, more profound truth about the relationship between Christ and the Church.
Ephesians 5:22-33 outlines Paul's teaching on marriage:
Wives are to submit to their husbands as to the Lord. This is not about inferiority but about recognizing God-ordained roles and responsibilities within the marriage, reflecting the submission of the Church to Christ.
Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her. This is a sacrificial, selfless, and unconditional love.
The husband's love is to sanctify and cleanse his wife, making her holy, just as Christ sanctifies the Church.
Ephesians 5:32 - "This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church." This is the key to understanding the verse. Paul reveals that the marriage relationship described in Genesis 2:24 is actually a type or shadow pointing to the ultimate reality of the relationship between Christ and the Church. Marriage is a picture of God's love and covenant relationship with His people.
Therefore, in Ephesians 5:31, Genesis 2:24 is not just about the physical union of a man and a woman, but it's about:
Reflecting the Relationship Between Christ and the Church: Marriage is meant to be a living parable, demonstrating the love, submission, and unity between Christ and His Bride, the Church.
Sacrificial Love: Husbands are to love their wives with the same sacrificial love that Christ has for the church.
Unity and Intimacy: Marriage should strive for the "one flesh" unity described in Genesis, reflecting the spiritual unity Christians share with Christ.
Prioritizing the Marriage Relationship: Just as a man leaves his parents to establish a new family unit, husbands and wives must prioritize their marriage and work together to build a strong and lasting relationship.
God's Design: The verse emphasizes that marriage is God's design, a beautiful and sacred union meant to reflect His love and His relationship with humanity.
In summary, Ephesians 5:31 is a powerful reminder that marriage is more than just a human agreement; it is a divinely ordained institution that reflects the profound relationship between Christ and the Church. It calls husbands and wives to live out their roles in a way that honors God and demonstrates His love to the world.