ephesians-5:23-33-nkjv,nlt

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:26

That he might sanctify and cleanse it - The Church is represented as the spouse of Christ, as the woman is the spouse of the man; and, to prepare this Church for himself, he washes, cleanses, and sanctifies it. There is certainly an allusion here to the ancient method of purifying women, who were appointed to be consorts to kings; twelve months, it appears, were in some instances spent in this purification: Six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odors and with other things,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:27

That he might present it to himself - It was usual to bring the royal bride to the king in the most sumptuous apparel; and is there not here an allusion to Psalm 45:13 , Psalm 45:14 ; : The king's daughter (Pharaoh's) is all glorious within, her clothing is of wrought gold; she shall be brought unto the king (Solomon) in raiment of needlework? This presentation here spoken of by the apostle will take place on the last day. See the note on 2 Corinthians 11:2 . A glorious Church - ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:28

As their own bodies - For the woman is, properly speaking, a part of the man; for God made man male and female, and the woman was taken out of his side; therefore is she flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bone; and therefore, he that loveth his wife loveth himself, for they two are one flesh. The apostle, in all these verses, refers to the creation and original state of the first human pair. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:29

No man ever yet hated his own flesh - And this is a natural reason why he should love his wife, and nourish and cherish her. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:30

We are members of his body - He has partaken of our nature, as we have partaken of the nature of Adam. And as he is the head of the Church and the Savior of this body; so we, being members of the Church, are members of his mystical body. That is, we are united to him by one Spirit in the closest intimacy, even similar to that which the members have with the body. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:31

Shall be joined unto his wife - Προσκολληθησεται· He shall be glued or cemented to her; and, as a well-glued board will sooner break in the whole wood than in the glued joint, so death alone can part the husband and wife; and nothing but death should dissolve their affection. See the notes on Genesis 2:21-24 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:32

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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:33

Nevertheless - Πλην· Moreover, or therefore, on the consideration of God's design in the institution of marriage, let every one of you love his wife as himself, because she is both naturally and by a Divine ordinance a part of himself. That she reverence her husband - Let the wife ever consider the husband as her head, and this he is, not only by nature, but also by the ordinance of God. These are very important matters, and on them the apostle lays great stress. See the following... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:23

Verse 23 23.For the husband is the head of the wife. This is the reason assigned why wives should be obedient. Christ has appointed the same relation to exist between a husband and a wife, as between himself and his church. This comparison ought to produce a stronger impression on their minds, than the mere declaration that such is the appointment of God. Two things are here stated. God has given to the husband authority over the wife; and a resemblance of this authority is found in Christ, who... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:24

Verse 24 24.But, as the church is subject to Christ. The particle but, may lead some to believe that the words, he is the savior of the body, are intended to anticipate an objection. Christ has, no doubt, this peculiar claim, that he is the Savior of the Church: nevertheless, let wives know, that their husbands, though they cannot produce equal claims, have authority over them, after the example of Christ. I prefer the former interpretation; for the argument derived from the word but, ( ἀλλά,)... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:26

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:27

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:28

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:29

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:30

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:31

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:32

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:33

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:23

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:24

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