Ephesians 5:22-33 is a somewhat controversial passage of scripture on marriage. While I believe there is much benefit from exploring the implications of this passage on marriage, I think what Paul has to say about Christ and the church is often lost in the shuffle. That is what I would like to focus on here:
Christ is the head of the church.
He is the Savior of the body.
Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.
So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.
That He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she would be holy and blameless.
Christ nourishes and cherishes the church because we are members of His body.
Why did Christ give Himself up for the church? So that He might sanctify her, to present her to Himself having no spot or wrinkle, that she would be holy and blameless.
Notice that Paul does not say that Christ died for the church so that she can go to heaven, so that she can be happy or live a good life.
It's all about Jesus. He is looking for something. Something He died for. He is looking for a bride to present to Himself in all her glory. A counterpart compatible for Him. But this counterpart must not have so much as a spot or wrinkle.
Am I saying you need to go on a sin hunt? To personally eradicate the spots and wrinkles in your own or others' lives? No, I am saying Jesus already died to eradicate those spots and wrinkles. We must subject ourselves to Him.
He has cleansed us, and He continues to cleanse us. And He nourishes and cherishes us. He is all we need.
This is really only scratching the surface, but perhaps it is what we can handle for now. Paul writes this passage not about individual believers but about the church. There is much more to being the church than individual holiness, but that is a post for another time.
Christ is the head of the church.
He is the Savior of the body.
Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.
So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.
That He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she would be holy and blameless.
Christ nourishes and cherishes the church because we are members of His body.
Why did Christ give Himself up for the church? So that He might sanctify her, to present her to Himself having no spot or wrinkle, that she would be holy and blameless.
Notice that Paul does not say that Christ died for the church so that she can go to heaven, so that she can be happy or live a good life.
It's all about Jesus. He is looking for something. Something He died for. He is looking for a bride to present to Himself in all her glory. A counterpart compatible for Him. But this counterpart must not have so much as a spot or wrinkle.
Am I saying you need to go on a sin hunt? To personally eradicate the spots and wrinkles in your own or others' lives? No, I am saying Jesus already died to eradicate those spots and wrinkles. We must subject ourselves to Him.
He has cleansed us, and He continues to cleanse us. And He nourishes and cherishes us. He is all we need.
This is really only scratching the surface, but perhaps it is what we can handle for now. Paul writes this passage not about individual believers but about the church. There is much more to being the church than individual holiness, but that is a post for another time.
