The Glorious Church Series

Finally, we can see that the sacred relationship between Christian husbands and wives is inextricably related to the sacred relationship between Christ and His church. Because of this great sacredness, Paul concludes in Ephesians 5:33, However/Nevertheless let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see to it that she respect her husband. The use of However/Nevertheless (plen) is intended to end the discussion and emphasize what in it is most essential to remember. If Christ’s love for the church is to be the model for husbands in its self-sacrifice, then it is also to be their pattern in relation to its goal (vv 26–27). Accordingly, Paul proceeds to spell out the goal of Christ’s sacrificial love for the church by means of three purpose clauses: that he might ‘sanctify her’ (v 26), ‘present her to himself’ in splendour (v 27a), and enable her to be ‘holy and blameless’ (v 27c). Christ loves the messy, flawed, broken church and is in the business of making it fully holy and blameless. He calls each of us to join him in this work, not just because the church is central to his plan but also because he cherishes the church. Rather than taking potshots at the bride of Christ, shouldn’t we find ways to affirm and embrace her? Rather than separating ourselves from the imperfect, wounded bride of Christ, shouldn’t we join Christ in his work of washing, cleaning, feeding, and caring for her? (Since) Christ loves the church so much that he gave up himself for her, shouldn’t we also? (Roberts, M. D. (2016). Ephesians. (S. McKnight, Ed.) (p. 218). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.)

(Format Note: Some base commentary from MacArthur, J. (1996). Ephesians (291–307). Chicago: Moody Press.)