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.

Ephesians 5:31 (KJV)

Context

Ephesians 5:31 appears within Paul’s teaching on Christian households in Ephesians 5:22-33. In this passage, he addresses wives and husbands, calling wives to submit to their husbands and husbands to love their wives sacrificially, just as Christ loved the Church. The verse itself is a direct quotation from Genesis 2:24, where God first established marriage at creation. By citing this verse, Paul grounds his instructions in the original order of creation, showing that the marriage relationship is not merely a human arrangement but a divine institution.

Meaning

The verse begins with “For this cause,” linking it to the preceding context of God’s creation of woman for man. “A man shall leave his father and mother” describes a deliberate separation from the family of origin to form a new family unit. This leaving involves a shift in loyalty and priority, establishing the marital bond as the primary human relationship. The phrase “shall be joined unto his wife” uses the Greek word proskollēthēsetai, meaning “shall be joined” or “cleave to,” indicating a strong, permanent bond. “They two shall be one flesh” speaks of a profound unity that encompasses physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational oneness. This is not merely a temporary union but a complete merging of two lives into a single unit, characterized by mutual love, respect, and commitment.

Biblical connections

Paul’s quotation of Genesis 2:24 connects the marriage relationship to the creation order. In Ephesians 5:32, Paul reveals a deeper spiritual significance: the marital union mirrors the relationship between Christ and the Church. As Christ gave Himself for the Church, husbands are called to sacrificial love, and the Church’s response to Christ is reflected in the wife’s submission. This connection elevates marriage from a social contract to a living picture of the gospel.

Application

Ephesians 5:31 calls believers to recognize the sacredness of marriage and the importance of commitment and unity. It challenges husbands and wives to prioritize their marriage above other relationships, leaving behind old allegiances and cleaving to one another. This verse also reminds us that marriage is not just for personal happiness but for reflecting Christ’s love for the Church. In practical terms, it encourages spouses to cultivate deep intimacy, mutual respect, and sacrificial love, and to see their union as a testimony to the world of God’s design for relationships.

Reflection

This verse invites us to consider the weight of the marriage covenant. It is a call to leave, to cleave, and to become one flesh—a lifelong process of growing in unity. For those who are married, it challenges us to examine whether our priorities reflect this biblical pattern. For those who are not married, it offers a vision of the intimate relationship Christ has with His Church, a relationship built on love, sacrifice, and faithful commitment. May we all strive to embody the self-giving love that this verse describes, whether in marriage or in our walk with Christ.