Ephesians 5:29

Commentary on Ephesians 5:29

Ephesians 5:29 reads: "For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:"

Context

This verse is part of Paul's extensive teaching on Christian households and relationships within the church, found in Ephesians chapters 4-6. Specifically, it falls within his detailed instructions to husbands and wives, beginning in Ephesians 5:22. Paul establishes the profound spiritual parallel between the marriage relationship and the relationship between Christ and His Church. Having just commanded husbands to "love their wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it" (Ephesians 5:25), this verse provides a practical, relatable illustration of that love.

Key Themes and Messages

• Natural Care as a Standard: The verse begins with a universally understood truth: people instinctively care for their own bodies. No one deliberately harms or neglects their "own flesh." This natural inclination for self-preservation and care serves as a basic, undeniable starting point for understanding how a husband should treat his wife.
• The Husband's Duty: Nourishing and Cherishing: Building on the natural analogy, Paul defines the husband's core responsibilities towards his wife. He is to "nourish" and "cherish" her. These actions go beyond mere provision; they speak to deep, affectionate care and protection.
• Christ as the Ultimate Model: The ultimate standard for this care is Christ's relationship with the Church. Just as Christ lovingly provides for, sustains, and tenderly cares for His body, the Church, so too should a husband treat his wife. This divine pattern elevates the marriage relationship to a sacred and Christ-like endeavor.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek words behind "nourisheth" and "cherisheth" are particularly insightful:

• Nourisheth (ektrephō): This word means to bring up, rear, or provide for sustenance and growth. It implies supplying all that is necessary for life, health, and development. It's used elsewhere for raising children (Ephesians 6:4). For a husband, this encompasses not just physical provision but also emotional, spiritual, and intellectual support, fostering his wife's well-being and growth.
• Cherisheth (thalpō): This term literally means to warm or keep warm, as a bird cherishes its young. Metaphorically, it conveys tender care, comfort, fostering with affection, and protecting from harm. It speaks to intimacy, warmth, security, and gentle affection. Paul uses this same word to describe a nursing mother's tender care for her children (1 Thessalonians 2:7).

Together, ektrephō and thalpō paint a holistic picture of a husband's comprehensive and tender care for his wife, mirroring Christ's attentive and loving care for His Church.

Practical Application

Ephesians 5:29 offers profound implications for Christian marriage and our understanding of Christ:

• For Husbands: This verse is a powerful call to action. It challenges husbands to move beyond simply living with their wives to actively and intentionally nurturing and protecting them. This means providing for their needs, safeguarding their emotional and spiritual health, offering comfort, and fostering an environment where they can thrive and feel secure. It's a continuous, selfless commitment, patterned after the Lord Himself.
• For Wives: Understanding this verse can bring assurance and peace. It highlights the divine standard for how a husband should treat his wife, reflecting Christ's unwavering care. It encourages wives to receive and appreciate this Christ-like love.
• For All Believers: The verse deepens our appreciation for Christ's ongoing relationship with His Church. He does not abandon or neglect His people but continuously "nourishes and cherishes" them, providing for their spiritual growth, comforting them in affliction, and protecting them from spiritual harm. This illustrates the depth of God's covenant love and His faithfulness towards His children, echoing promises of His constant presence and care (Matthew 28:20).