Ephesians 5: 28-31 (Biblical Manhood)

            Summary: Paul continues to describe a biblical husband and what responsibilities that correlates to.  He now logically defends the points he has made and is making.  He then gives evidence that it is good for a man to marry, quoting a passage from Genesis that commissions men to leave their parents and hold fast to their wives. 

Note: passage cited from Genesis 2: 23-24

Timeless Principle: Paul makes an argument for treating a wife with upmost gentleness in loving her like Christ loved the church.  He states that no man ever hated his flesh but rather nourishes it and cherishes it like Christ did the church so then shall a man nourish and cherish his wife.  This may lead to a question, on what grounds can Paul make these claims? Paul can claim these things because of Genesis 2:

“The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” [Genesis 2: 23-24 NASB]

In the beginning God created all and in all but one thing he said it was good.  The one thing that was not was the fact that man was alone so he made him a helper, the wife.  And by the text above a man and his wife are to be one flesh.  The word for flesh in the original Hebrew is not a figurative word but literally means to be unified, or one.  And by this Paul is supported in saying that if a man hates his wife he also hates himself which does not make sense for no one ever hated his own flesh. 

After giving this evidence, Paul turns his attention to the single man.  He commissions single men to leave their parents and hold fast to their wives.  Only very few obtain a call to singleness as Paul had (see 1 Cor. 7).  Therefore if few receive this call then the others are made to eventually be joined in wedlock and should live a life sold out to Christ which in turn will prepare that man for marriage.

My Prayer: Father, these words are true, though I cannot fully understand them now for you have not yet delivered me over to marriage, I pray that you would give me further knowledge into the area so that I might make a man as described in this passage.  May my soul focus be on the endless agony of Calvary and on it alone.  So that I may be cleansed of my sin and in doing so removing my sin, furthermore becoming a man of this text.   God you are sovereign and in control, Give me strength to lean upon your will as your son did in Gethsemane, crying out will pure intentions “not will but thine.” And so I’m calling father not my will but yours and yours alone.  Continue your deadly work within me transforming me to the beautiful likeness of your son.  I pray for the men who are not living by this text says treating their wives with hatred for they are hating themselves in doing so.  Comfort those wives oh lord and give insight to the husbands to be Godly men. I pray for those who are living by this text, that you might continue to guide them as follow hard after you, leading their wives unto you.  Above all Father you are good and you are working all things for your good, might I rest in this overarching truth. In Christ’s name, Amen.