Ephesians 5:28

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

Ephesians 5:28 (KJV)

Context

The Apostle Paul wrote Ephesians to the church in Ephesus, and in this passage he addresses the relationship between husbands and wives. The opening word “So” connects the husband’s duty directly to what Paul has just described: Christ’s self-giving love for the Church. The command to love is therefore not an isolated rule but part of a larger picture of sacrificial care.

Meaning

Paul’s instruction is clear: husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies. This means caring for a wife’s well-being with the same natural concern a man has for himself. The second half of the verse grounds this command in unity: because husband and wife are one flesh, a man who loves his wife is, in effect, loving himself. This is not merely emotional affection but a selfless, practical love that prioritizes the other’s needs.

Albert Barnes’ commentary notes that a husband should have the same care for his wife’s comfort as he has for his own, regarding her as one with himself. This teaching calls husbands to a high standard of love that reflects the unity God designed for marriage.

Biblical connections

Paul frequently uses the relationship between Christ and the Church as the model for marital love. In this context, husbands are called to emulate Christ’s sacrificial love, demonstrated through His selflessness, willingness to give Himself up, and constant care for the Church. The principle of oneness, which Paul elaborates in Ephesians 5:31, underlies the command: loving one’s wife is loving oneself because the two are joined as one flesh.

Application

Ephesians 5:28 challenges husbands to examine their attitudes and actions toward their wives. It calls them to treat their wives with love, respect, and care, considering their needs as important as their own. This verse also emphasizes the unity and oneness that should exist within marriage.

• Overall message: Husbands are called to love their wives selflessly and sacrificially, prioritizing their well-being and considering them as one with themselves. This reflects the love and unity found in the relationship between Christ and the Church.

When studying the Bible, it is always beneficial to read the surrounding verses and consult various translations to gain a deeper understanding of the passage.

Reflection

This verse invites husbands to see their love for their wives as an expression of their own spiritual health. A man who loves his wife as himself is not only obeying a command but also living out the unity that God has established in marriage. Such love mirrors the care Christ has for His Church and brings honor to God.