The Epistle to the Ephesians

1. Eph 5:30 – “For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.” The tense here is present indicative – a fact and now! This membership relates to our citizenship. 1 Cor 12:27 - Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. What is of His flesh and of His bones all about? The words, "of His flesh and of His bones" are a rejected reading by Nestle, and also Westcott and Hort. These words are in the Textus Receptus (Authorized Version) supported by D G L P cursives Syriac, etc., though wanting in Aleph A B 17 Bohairic. Certainly not genuine. However, could this relate to our being crucified with Christ? Rom 6:3-4 - Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 5:30-33 Husband and Wife Relationship 1 Nov 18, 2018 Bob Eckel

2. And in context, how about man and wife? Gen 2:23 - And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” Eph 5:31 - “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and thetwo shall become one flesh.” Scripture regards this tie as more important than any other including that of parent and child. Polygamy, adultery and divorce have no place here. 1 Cor 6:15,16 - Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” Of interest, Paul brings us now to Gen 2:24! Shall leave (behind) is future active indicative whereas be joined (glue upon or glue to) is future passive indicative. The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 5:30-33 Husband and Wife Relationship 2 Nov 18, 2018 Bob Eckel

3. What do you make of the verb tenses here? One flesh in marriage, are you kidding me? In the world system? What about in the body of Christ? But this bonding in marriage as stated by Christ is unequivocal. Matt 19:6 - “So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” And the promise for the union of the body of Christ awaits us: Rev 19:7 – “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” Eph 5:32 - This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Clarke – ‘Sacramentum hoc magnum est; this sacrament is Great.-vulgate. And on the evidence of this version the Church of Rome has made matrimony a sacrament, which, as they use The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 5:30-33 Husband and Wife Relationship 3 Nov 18, 2018 Bob Eckel

4. it, is no meaning of the original.’ Thus, wrong interpretation, it’s not marriage but Christ and the church! What’s a mystery and why is this a great one? Mystery is truth previously hidden now made apparent, here related to Christ and the church. Typically, beyond man’s understanding. Rom 11:25 - For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery,lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. Greatness here relates to magnitude and to it’s far-reaching implications, so what are these? Constable – ‘One of the purposes of marriage is to model Jesus Christ's relationship with the church. He leads, loves, and serves the church. The church reverently submits and is subject to Him. When husbands and wives fulfill these responsibilities to one another, their marriage models the relationship between Christ and His bride.’ Eph 5:33 – “Nevertheless let each one of you in The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 5:30-33 Husband and Wife Relationship 4 Nov 18, 2018 Bob Eckel

5. particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” Nevertheless, each one of you (severally) why? Present active imperative! What stands out here to me is love of the husband vs. respect or reverence of the wife! Love is agapaō Respect is phobeō For us guys, loving ourselves is no problem, just ask her! But what is this respect or reverence that’s needed from her? Notice it’s see that! Most often translated as fear but here veneration (high-end respect) or reverential obedience or awe - Thayer. Col 3:22 - Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 5:30-33 Husband and Wife Relationship 5 Nov 18, 2018 Bob Eckel

6. Do you agree with Constable? ‘Respecting means voluntarily lifting up another person for special consideration, treatment, and obedience. It involves having consideration for his responsibilities and needs and praying for him. Words of encouragement that have a positive focus and build him up show respect for a husband as does doing things that please him. Probably most men have a poor self-image. A man must have the respect of his wife to feel successful as a man.’ But as husbands, we must deserve this respect! What’s needed from us men is identification. Eph 5:22 - Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. Are we husbands Lord-like? The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 5:30-33 Husband and Wife Relationship 6 Nov 18, 2018 Bob Eckel