Ephesians 5:28

KJV

So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

KJV (with Strong's)

So {G3779} ought {G3784} men {G435} to love {G25} their {G1438} wives {G1135} as {G5613} their own {G1438} bodies {G4983}. He that loveth {G25} his {G1438} wife {G1135} loveth {G25} himself {G1438}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is how husbands ought to love their wives — like their own bodies; for the man who loves his wife is loving himself.

Berean Standard Bible

In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

American Standard Version

Even so ought husbands also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his own wife loveth himself:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ephesians 5:28 serves as a profound directive for husbands within the Christian household, urging them to love their wives with the same intrinsic care and concern they naturally extend to their own physical bodies. This verse underscores the deep unity inherent in the marital covenant, asserting that a husband's love for his wife is inextricably linked to his self-love and well-being, thereby elevating the wife's status and emphasizing the profound interconnectedness of the "one flesh" union.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a larger section of Paul's letter to the Ephesians (chapters 4-6) that transitions from theological exposition to practical Christian living. Specifically, it is part of the "household code" (Ephesians 5:21-6:9), which outlines reciprocal responsibilities within various relationships: wives and husbands, children and parents, slaves and masters. The immediate preceding verses (Ephesians 5:22-27) establish the paradigm for marital love, with wives submitting to their husbands as to the Lord, and husbands loving their wives sacrificially, "just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" ([Ephesians 5:25](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25 - Christ's Love for the Church")). Verse 28 then builds upon this high standard, providing a practical, tangible illustration of what that Christ-like love looks like in the husband's daily life, connecting it to the husband's own self-interest and the foundational concept of marital unity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Greco-Roman world, in which Paul wrote, generally viewed women as subordinate to men, often with limited legal rights and social standing. Marriages were frequently arranged for economic or social advantage, and a husband's authority was largely unquestioned, sometimes extending to the right to divorce his wife for trivial reasons. Within this patriarchal framework, Paul's instructions were revolutionary. His command for husbands to love their wives with a self-sacrificial, Christ-like love, and to view them as integral parts of themselves, directly challenged prevailing cultural norms. It elevated the status of women within marriage, demanding a profound respect and care that was counter-cultural, laying the groundwork for a more egalitarian and mutually honoring relationship rooted in Christian principles.
* **Key Themes:** Ephesians 5:28 contributes significantly to several key themes within the letter and broader New Testament teaching on marriage. Foremost is the theme of **Unity and Oneness**, echoing the creation narrative's declaration that husband and wife become "one flesh" ([Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "Genesis 2:24 - The One Flesh Union")). Paul extends this concept to imply that a husband's self-care is inseparable from his care for his wife, reinforcing the idea that they are so intimately connected that to harm one is to harm the other. This verse also highlights the theme of **Sacrificial Love**, building on the example of Christ's love for the Church presented in [Ephesians 5:25](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25 - Christ's Love for the Church"), demonstrating how this divine love is to be practically embodied in the marital relationship. Finally, it touches on **Practical Care and Nurturing**, implying that just as one instinctively provides for, protects, and cherishes their own body, a husband is called to extend the same diligent, proactive, and compassionate care to his wife.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Love (Greek, _agapáō'_):** This verb, derived from the noun _agapē_, signifies a selfless, unconditional, and volitional love. It is not primarily an emotion, but a deliberate choice and action that consistently seeks the highest good and well-being of the beloved. In the context of marriage, it implies a commitment to the wife's flourishing, regardless of her actions or feelings, mirroring the divine love of God.
* **Wives (Greek, _gynḗ'_):** This word refers to a woman, specifically in the context of marriage, a wife. Its inclusion here emphasizes the specific object of the husband's _agapáō_ love, highlighting the unique and profound relationship within the marital covenant that demands this particular kind of care and devotion.
* **Bodies (Greek, _sōma'_):** This term refers to the physical body as a sound whole, used broadly in Scripture. In this verse, it serves as the primary analogy for the husband's self-care. It represents the natural, instinctive, and comprehensive care one applies to oneself—feeding, protecting, nurturing, and maintaining health. By equating the wife with "their own bodies," Paul elevates her status to an intrinsic part of the husband's very being, demanding the same level of diligent and inherent care.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies."**: This opening clause establishes the core command and its standard. The word "ought" (G3784, _opheílō_) implies a moral obligation or duty, not merely a suggestion. Husbands (G435, _anḗr_) are under divine obligation to "love" (G25, _agapáō_) their wives (G1135, _gynḗ_) with a love that mirrors the natural, instinctive, and comprehensive care they give to "their own bodies" (G4983, _sōma_). This comparison highlights the intrinsic value and close identification a husband should have with his wife, viewing her as an extension of himself rather than a separate entity, emphasizing the "one flesh" union.
* **"He that loveth his wife loveth himself."**: This second clause reinforces and explains the first, providing the theological and practical rationale. It asserts a profound unity and interconnectedness within the marital bond. If a husband genuinely loves his wife with _agapē_ love, he is, by extension, loving himself. This implies that the well-being, honor, and flourishing of the wife are directly linked to the well-being, honor, and flourishing of the husband. To neglect or harm one's wife is, in essence, to neglect or harm oneself, underscoring the mutual benefit and inseparable nature of a truly Christian marriage.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs a powerful **Analogy** in this verse, comparing a husband's love for his wife to his love for his own body. This analogy is highly effective because it draws upon a universal human experience: the innate instinct for self-preservation and self-care. By grounding the profound spiritual command in this relatable physical reality, Paul makes the expectation clear and actionable. The verse also utilizes **Repetition** of the concept of "love" and "self," particularly in the second clause ("He that loveth his wife loveth himself"), which serves to emphasize the inextricable link between the husband's care for his wife and his own well-being. This repetition functions as a form of **Reinforcement**, driving home the theological point of marital unity and the reciprocal nature of true _agape_ love within the "one flesh" covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ephesians 5:28 is a theological cornerstone for understanding Christian marriage, grounding the husband's responsibility in the profound reality of the "one flesh" union established at creation. It elevates marital love beyond mere sentimentality to a volitional, self-sacrificial commitment that mirrors the divine. This verse teaches that the wife is not merely a companion but an intrinsic part of the husband's very being, such that her flourishing is his flourishing, and her suffering, his suffering. This theological truth calls husbands to a proactive, nurturing, and protective love that reflects God's own covenant faithfulness and care for His people.

* [Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "The One Flesh Union")
* [1 Corinthians 6:16](/1_corinthians/6-16 "Union with a Prostitute")
* [Colossians 3:19](/colossians/3-19 "Husbands, Love Your Wives")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ephesians 5:28 presents a challenging yet liberating standard for husbands, calling them to a love that is both deeply personal and profoundly practical. It moves beyond superficial gestures to demand a holistic care for one's wife, akin to the instinctive way one nourishes, protects, and values their own physical body. This means actively seeking her emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being, prioritizing her needs, and defending her dignity. For a husband, this verse transforms the marital relationship into a crucible for Christ-likeness, where selfless love becomes the primary mode of interaction. It encourages husbands to see their wives not as separate entities to be managed or controlled, but as integral parts of themselves, whose flourishing is directly tied to their own. This perspective fosters a marriage built on mutual honor, deep unity, and a shared pursuit of God's glory, cultivating an environment where both partners can thrive in security and love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways do I instinctively care for my own body, and how can I intentionally apply these same principles of care to my wife's well-being (emotional, spiritual, physical)?**
* **How does understanding my wife as "my own body" change my perspective on conflict, decision-making, or prioritizing her needs?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to demonstrate the kind of selfless, nurturing love for my wife that mirrors the care I have for myself?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse imply that a husband should neglect his own needs to care for his wife?**

Answer: No, the verse does not imply neglecting one's own needs. Rather, it uses the natural and instinctive care one has for their own body as the standard or analogy for how a husband ought to love his wife. The point is that just as a person inherently provides for, protects, and nurtures their own body without conscious effort, a husband should extend that same intrinsic, comprehensive care to his wife. The second part of the verse, "He that loveth his wife loveth himself," reinforces this, suggesting that the well-being of the wife is so intertwined with the husband's that caring for her is caring for himself. It's about recognizing the profound unity of the "one flesh" union, where their destinies and flourishing are inextricably linked, rather than advocating for self-neglect. This kind of love is a holistic, integrated approach to marital partnership, reflecting the example of Christ who nourishes and cherishes the church as His own body ([Ephesians 5:29](/ephesians/5-29 "Ephesians 5:29 - Christ Nourishes the Church")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ephesians 5:28 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Paul explicitly states in the preceding verses that husbands are to love their wives "just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" ([Ephesians 5:25](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25 - Christ's Love for the Church")). The analogy of loving one's wife as one's own body is not merely a practical instruction but a profound theological reflection of Christ's relationship with His Church. Christ's love for the Church is not external or detached; He identifies with His people so intimately that He considers them His own body ([1 Corinthians 12:27](/1_corinthians/12-27 "1 Corinthians 12:27 - You Are the Body of Christ")). He nourishes and cherishes the Church, just as a man cares for his own flesh ([Ephesians 5:29](/ephesians/5-29 "Ephesians 5:29 - Christ Nourishes and Cherishes the Church")). Therefore, when a husband loves his wife as his own body, he is participating in and reflecting the very nature of Christ's self-giving, unifying, and life-sustaining love for His bride, the Church. This divine pattern elevates marriage from a mere human institution to a living parable of the Gospel, demonstrating the profound union between Christ and His redeemed people, a mystery Paul explicitly calls "profound" in [Ephesians 5:32](/ephesians/5-32 "Ephesians 5:32 - The Mystery of Christ and the Church").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ephesians 5:25

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Genesis 2:21

¶ And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

Genesis 2:24

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Matthew 19:5

And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

Ephesians 5:33

Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife [see] that she reverence [her] husband.

Ephesians 5:31

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.