29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church-
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,
29 No one abuses his own body, does he? No, he feeds and pampers it. That's how Christ treats us, the church,
29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.
29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ephesians 5:29
Commentary on Ephesians 5:22-33
(Read Ephesians 5:22-33)
The duty of wives is, submission to their husbands in the Lord, which includes honouring and obeying them, from a principle of love to them. The duty of husbands is to love their wives. The love of Christ to the church is an example, which is sincere, pure, and constant, notwithstanding her failures. Christ gave himself for the church, that he might sanctify it in this world, and glorify it in the next, that he might bestow on all his members a principle of holiness, and deliver them from the guilt, the pollution, and the dominion of sin, by those influences of the Holy Spirit, of which baptismal water was the outward sign. The church and believers will not be without spot or wrinkle till they come to glory. But those only who are sanctified now, shall be glorified hereafter. The words of Adam, mentioned by the apostle, are spoken literally of marriage; but they have also a hidden sense in them, relating to the union between Christ and his church. It was a kind of type, as having resemblance. There will be failures and defects on both sides, in the present state of human nature, yet this does not alter the relation. All the duties of marriage are included in unity and love. And while we adore and rejoice in the condescending love of Christ, let husbands and wives learn hence their duties to each other. Thus the worst evils would be prevented, and many painful effects would be avoided.