The Mystery of Marriage (Part 3)

I. Introduction

Over the past two weeks, we have been looking at Paul’s teaching for Christian marriages in the letter called Ephesians.

We’ve seen that wives are enjoined to submit to their husbands in everything out of reverence for and worship to the Lord Jesus Christ.

We also began to see the husbands’ God ordained position as the head in marriage as husbands themselves submit to their head who is Christ.

But if you think headship is to be taken lightly, think again!

The rest of these verses in Ephesians 5:25-33 to teach us of the awesome responsibility God places on every Christian husband.

Let’s dive in:

II. Christ is the husbands’ supreme example in marriage! (vs. 25-27)

Ephesians 5:25 ESV

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

A. Love your wives

Colossians 3:19 ESV

19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.

1 Peter 3:7 ESV

7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

B. As Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

Ephesians 5:2 ESV

2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Romans 5:8 ESV

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Ephesians 5:26–27 ESV

26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

C. Christ’s love was purposeful

1. to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing of the word

2. to present her to himself in splendor without spot or wrinkle or anything like that

3. so she might be is holy and without blemish

III. Love your wives as your own bodies (vs. 28-30)

Ephesians 5:28 ESV

28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

A. Christ loved his body, and since she is your body, you must love your wife.

B. He who loves his wife, loves himself

Ephesians 5:29–30 ESV

29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body.

C. What husbandly love looks like:

1. the opposite of hate

2. nourishing - to feed/provide food for; treat with tenderness and affection

Quote: The translation “to feed” limits it too much to the physical realm, whereas the word “nurture” possesses a broader scope encompassing the physical, psychological, and spiritual nature of a person (Harold W. Hoehner, Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002), 767.)

3. cherishing - to care for; cherish; comfort; to warm; to give to his own body whatever is needed or does for himself whatever is necessary

IV. This mystery is profound (v. 31-32)

Ephesians 5:31–32 ESV

31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.

V. The bottom line for each husband and his wife (v. 33)

A. The husband is to love his wife as himself.

B. The wife is to respect her husband.

1 Peter 3:5–6 ESV

5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.