Bible study prepared by Samuel Thambusamy
A husband should love his wife as much as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it. He made the church holy by the power of his word, and he made it pure by washing it with water. Christ did this, so that he would have a glorious and holy church, without faults or spots or wrinkles or any other flaws. In the same way, a husband should love his wife as much as he loves himself. A husband who loves his wife shows that he loves himself. None of us hate our own bodies. We provide for them and take good care of them, just as Christ does for the church, because we are each part of his body. As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother to get married, and he becomes like one person with his wife.” This is a great mystery, but I understand it to mean Christ and his church. So each husband should love his wife as much as he loves himself, and each wife should respect her husband. (Eph 5:25-33 CEV)
Questions for further reflection
- What is this passage about?
- What does the phrase, “ love your wife” mean? How does relationships (loving your wife) connect with spirituality?
- Male superiority is expressed differently in society. What are the cultural expressions in support of male superiority in your context/s? What do you think about them? How do you respond to notions of male superiority?
- Why should a husband love his wife? Share one thing that you do to show that you love your wife?
- How does Christ love the Church? Why do you think Paul compares the husband-wife relationship with Christ-Church relationship?
- What is God telling you/me through the passage? What am I/are you going to do in response to God’s Word?
