Ephesians 5:32
Verse
Context
Wives and Husbands
31“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”32This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church.33Nevertheless, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
This is a great mystery - Το μυστηριον τουτο μεγα εστιν· This mystery is great. 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 it, is no meaning of the original. By mystery, here, we may understand a natural thing by which some spiritual matter is signified, which signification the Spirit of God alone can give. So, here, the creation and union of Adam and Eve, were intended, in the design of God, to point out the union of Christ and the Church: a union the most important that can be conceived; and therefore the apostle calls it a great mystery. See the observations at the end of this chapter, (Eph 5:33 (note)).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Rather, "This mystery is a great one." This profound truth, beyond man's power of discovering, but now revealed, namely, of the spiritual union of Christ and the Church, represented by the marriage union, is a great one, of deep import. See on Eph 5:30. So "mystery" is used of a divine truth not to be discovered save by revelation of God (Rom 11:25; Co1 15:51). The Vulgate wrongly translates, "This is a great sacrament," which is made the plea by the Romish Church (in spite of the blunder having been long ago exposed by their own commentators, CAJETAN and ESTIUS) for making marriage a sacrament; it is plain not marriage in general, but that of Christ and the Church, is what is pronounced to be a "great mystery," as the words following prove, "I [emphatic] say it in regard to Christ and to the Church" (so the Greek is best translated). "I, while I quote these words out of Scripture, use them in a higher sense" [CONYBEARE and HOWSON].
Tyndale Open Study Notes
5:32 it is an illustration: Both the unity of husband and wife and the unity of Christ and the church are a great mystery (see study note on 1:8-10).
Ephesians 5:32
Wives and Husbands
31“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”32This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church.33Nevertheless, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(Pdf Book) My All for Him / 5 Chapters
By Basilea Schlink9.1K00:00First LoveEbooksDiscipleshipPSA 23:3MAT 9:15MAT 13:45LUK 6:38LUK 10:42JHN 7:37EPH 5:32PHP 4:81JN 4:19REV 2:4Basilea Schlink emphasizes the necessity of 'first love' for Jesus, which is crucial for enduring the trials of our time. This love, akin to 'bridal love,' is a powerful force that enables believers to face suffering and persecution with courage and joy. Schlink illustrates that true discipleship stems from this intimate love for Christ, which should be undivided and prioritized above all else. She encourages believers to cultivate this love through personal devotion and worship, as it is the key to genuine happiness and fulfillment in their faith. Ultimately, she reminds us that Jesus, as our Bridegroom, desires a deep, loving relationship with each of us, inviting us to surrender our hearts fully to Him.
(Om Orientation) Real Christian Morals - Part 1
By George Verwer2.9K32:00MoralsGEN 49:4GEN 49:92CO 2:11EPH 5:25EPH 5:321TI 3:7HEB 6:8In this sermon, the preacher discusses the topic of sexual immorality and its consequences. He starts by referencing the story of Reuben in Genesis 35, who committed immorality and faced judgment later on. The preacher emphasizes that those who lack control in this area of their lives are as unstable as water and will not know success. He mentions that surveys have shown a high percentage of university girls believing it is reasonable to have sex before marriage. The preacher argues that it is important to have answers and reasons for not believing in this way of living, based on what Jesus taught and what the Bible says. He warns about the effects of such sin and the lifetime of tears and heartache it can bring. The preacher also mentions the importance of not allowing such sins to be named among believers, as stated in 2 Timothy 2. He highlights the moral deluge our culture is facing and the severity of the situation. However, he also offers a message of hope, stating that the power of the Holy Spirit can give strength even to the weakest individuals. The sermon includes references to other stories in the Old Testament, such as the sin of David in 2 Samuel 11, to emphasize the importance of avoiding sexual immorality.
03 New Wine in New Wineskins Revelation on Gods Mysteries
By Zac Poonen1.3K59:27EZK 36:31MAT 11:271CO 3:10EPH 2:19EPH 3:9EPH 4:11EPH 5:321TI 3:16This sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking revelation from God to understand the difference between the New Covenant and the Old Covenant. It highlights the need for personal transformation through deep inner hunger for God, victory over sin, and genuine repentance. The speaker challenges listeners to seek God's revelation on living a godly life and building the church according to His plan, focusing on the mysteries of godliness and the body of Christ.
The Church
By F.B. Meyer0The Nature of the ChurchUnity in ChristGEN 2:18JHN 17:221CO 12:12EPH 1:22EPH 2:21EPH 3:10EPH 3:21EPH 4:4EPH 5:23EPH 5:32F.B. Meyer emphasizes the profound nature of the Church as depicted in Ephesians, portraying it as the mystical body of Christ, where He is the head and believers are the members. He illustrates that the Church is not merely a collection of congregations but a unified entity destined for glory, reflecting God's wisdom and purpose. Meyer highlights the Church's role as a building for God, constructed on the foundation of Christ, and stresses the importance of obedience to Christ's commands. He concludes by affirming the Church's ultimate purpose is to glorify God, united in love and purpose, akin to the relationship between Christ and His bride.
Mystical Union Between Christ and His People
By Thomas Watson0PSA 45:10SNG 2:16JHN 1:16ROM 7:41CO 6:172CO 5:21EPH 2:17EPH 5:32HEB 2:16REV 19:9Thomas Watson preaches about the mystical union between Christ and His people, emphasizing the deep love and connection between Christ and His church. The sermon explores the doctrine of a marital union with Christ, highlighting the twofold union - natural and sacred, and the significance of believers being mystically united to Christ. Watson delves into the eternal nature of this union, the separation required before union, and the purpose of co-habitation and fruit-bearing in this spiritual marriage.
God's Dwelling Place in Ephesus
By Keith Malcomson0ACT 16:6ACT 19:11CO 3:11EPH 1:22EPH 2:22EPH 5:25EPH 5:29EPH 5:32Keith Malcomson preaches about the Church in Ephesus being built as a dwelling place for God through the Spirit, contrasting the man-made temples of the city with the spiritual temple formed by believers. The believers in Ephesus, marked by their personal encounters with Jesus Christ, became a permanent dwelling place for God, spiritually, heavenly, eternally, and beautifully. The Church in Ephesus was likened to a building, a body, and a bride, emphasizing unity, growth, and intimate communion with Christ as the head.
"Christ Jesus, Our Hope"
By H.J. Vine0MAT 16:16ACT 4:12EPH 5:32PHP 2:102TI 2:102PE 1:16REV 22:7H.J. Vine preaches about the importance of sticking to the Scriptures and the themes revealed by the Spirit of God, focusing on the near return of Jesus Christ. He emphasizes the significance of understanding and sharing the prophetic Scriptures, highlighting the glory of Christ's relationship with the Father and the Church. Vine draws parallels from Genesis to Revelation, showcasing how Christ and the Church are beautifully intertwined in God's eternal plan, culminating in the Bride, the Lamb's wife, sharing in His supremacy and glory.
Three Great Gifts
By Raymond Golsworthy0PSA 118:23JHN 3:3JHN 15:5JHN 17:2ACT 5:141CO 6:17EPH 1:23EPH 5:32PHP 2:8COL 1:18Raymond Golsworthy delves into the profound truths encapsulated in John 17:2, highlighting the essence of true Christianity and the entire history of the present church age within a single verse. The verse emphasizes the three significant gifts: God's gift of authority to Jesus Christ, Christ's gift of eternal life to His redeemed people, and God's gift of the church to His Son, outlining the core of the Christian gospel and God's work throughout the church age.
The Marriage of Cana (John 2:11)
By George Whitefield0ISA 55:1JHN 2:11JHN 4:14ROM 8:111CO 6:192CO 3:17EPH 5:18EPH 5:32REV 19:7REV 22:17George Whitefield preaches on the miracle of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, emphasizing the divine power and glory of Christ. He highlights the significance of this miracle as a proof of Jesus' eternal power and Godhead, encouraging believers to have faith and believe in Him. Whitefield draws practical lessons from the miracle, such as the importance of feasting on solemn occasions with the intention of edifying one another in love, the significance of seeking Christ's guidance in marriage decisions, and the need for believers to imitate the Virgin Mary in showing compassion and seeking Christ's intervention in times of need. He also points to the spiritual significance of the miracle, symbolizing the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, the rewards for faithful service to Christ, and the future glory of the marriage feast of the Lamb in His eternal kingdom.
The Climax of the Way of the Lamb
By T. Austin-Sparks0PSA 2:6JHN 14:22CO 12:2EPH 5:25EPH 5:32REV 12:11REV 14:1REV 19:7T. Austin-Sparks delves into the spiritual interpretation of the book of Revelation, emphasizing the importance of understanding God's eternal purpose and the spiritual significance behind the symbols and events described in the book. He highlights the ultimate goal of believers being in closest spiritual proximity to God, experiencing divine glory and satisfaction by fully surrendering to His will and following the Lamb wherever He leads. The sermon focuses on the spiritual journey of overcoming obstacles, deepening our love for the Lord, and ultimately becoming part of the bride of the Lamb through transformation and conformity to His image.
Some Better Thing
By John Nelson Darby0Unity in ChristThe Church1CO 12:12EPH 1:4EPH 2:7EPH 5:32HEB 11:40REV 21:9John Nelson Darby emphasizes the unique position of the church as the body of Christ, called out during the rejection of Jesus on earth. He explains that Christians belong to a 'better thing' provided by God, which is the church, destined for glory alongside Christ. The sermon highlights the importance of unity within the body of Christ, where every member is essential and interconnected. Darby stresses that the church's existence is rooted in God's sovereign grace and the necessity of Christ's rejection and ascension. Ultimately, he calls Christians to recognize their special calling and the significance of the church in God's eternal plan.
Homily 69 on Matthew
By St. John Chrysostom0MAT 11:12MAT 22:1MAT 28:19JHN 3:30JHN 7:37ACT 1:8ROM 15:92CO 11:2EPH 5:32John Chrysostom preaches on the parable of the wedding feast, highlighting God's long-suffering towards the Jews, the casting out of the Jews and the calling of the Gentiles, and the strictness of life required for the kingdom of Heaven. He emphasizes the importance of spiritual joy, the symbolism of the marriage feast representing God's tender care and yearning towards us, and the need to prioritize spiritual matters over worldly concerns. Chrysostom urges believers to clothe their souls with righteous deeds, emulate the ascetic lifestyle of holy individuals, and strive for a life focused on heavenly pursuits rather than earthly distractions.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
This is a great mystery - Το μυστηριον τουτο μεγα εστιν· This mystery is great. 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 it, is no meaning of the original. By mystery, here, we may understand a natural thing by which some spiritual matter is signified, which signification the Spirit of God alone can give. So, here, the creation and union of Adam and Eve, were intended, in the design of God, to point out the union of Christ and the Church: a union the most important that can be conceived; and therefore the apostle calls it a great mystery. See the observations at the end of this chapter, (Eph 5:33 (note)).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Rather, "This mystery is a great one." This profound truth, beyond man's power of discovering, but now revealed, namely, of the spiritual union of Christ and the Church, represented by the marriage union, is a great one, of deep import. See on Eph 5:30. So "mystery" is used of a divine truth not to be discovered save by revelation of God (Rom 11:25; Co1 15:51). The Vulgate wrongly translates, "This is a great sacrament," which is made the plea by the Romish Church (in spite of the blunder having been long ago exposed by their own commentators, CAJETAN and ESTIUS) for making marriage a sacrament; it is plain not marriage in general, but that of Christ and the Church, is what is pronounced to be a "great mystery," as the words following prove, "I [emphatic] say it in regard to Christ and to the Church" (so the Greek is best translated). "I, while I quote these words out of Scripture, use them in a higher sense" [CONYBEARE and HOWSON].
Tyndale Open Study Notes
5:32 it is an illustration: Both the unity of husband and wife and the unity of Christ and the church are a great mystery (see study note on 1:8-10).