Becoming One Flesh

Intro

Text - Ephesians 5.25-31

Ephesians 5:25–31 NKJV

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

Title - The Joy of Becoming One Flesh

Key Questions

what does it mean to become one flesh?

how is it attained by the man and the woman in marriage?

Becoming “one flesh” begins with the man leaving his father and mother

Genesis 2:21–25 NKJV

21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 23 And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

this was not Adam’s words, but the writer’s interpretation ot conclusion to the event described above.

There is no Bible reference that says the woman SHOULD leave his father and mother and be joined to her husband.

Why is it emphasized in the man, but not in the woman?

It signifies his readiness and willingness to assume authority and responsibility over his own household.

It sets an example for the wife to follow

It signifies commitment to make his wife the center of his life, his goals and dreams, and actions

Jesus was questioned about divorce -

Matthew 19:4–6 NKJV

4 And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

God respects the man’s commitment to live wife

likewise, pepole sould respect their vows to each other

Jesus exemplified this principle -

Ephesians 5:25 NKJV

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,

He came down to save His Bride

Becoming ‘one flesh’ requires nurturing and caring as your own

Ephesians 5:28–31 NKJV

28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

Loving a wife is just like loving one’s self - because you are one flesh before God

whatever you do your wife will immediately comes back to you.

Paul saw this in Christ’s work in the church

Ephesians 5:26–27 NKJV

26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

Warning - fake love doesn’t work; it must be real love

Becoming ‘one flesh’ means enjoying the fruits of your labors together

Psalm 128:1–6 NKJV

1 Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, Who walks in His ways. 2 When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. 3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table. 4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the Lord. 5 The Lord bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life. 6 Yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!

In Bible days, the wealth of a man’s house are his children.

today, couples have no time for even 1 child - they are too busy making money

Psalm 127:3 NKJV

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

the poorest people are those who have to children to leave a legacy behind -

even Paul had a son - in the gospel, Timothy

One flesh means -

when things fail, you take the blame together

when things go well, you reap the benefits together

Proverbs 10:1 NKJV

1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.

father and mother represent both parent in the life of a child

Solomon’s advice to children -

Proverbs 23:22–25 NKJV

22 Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when she is old. 23 Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding. 24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him. 25 Let your father and your mother be glad, And let her who bore you rejoice.

Conclusion

1 Peter 3:7 NKJV

7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

your are heirs together of the grace of life