Ephesians 5:28-29
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The verse highlights that a husband is to love his wife "as his own body," emphasizing a profound identification rather than a mere comparison. This means he should care for her well-being and comfort with the same instinct and commitment he has for himself, because in God's design, they have become "one flesh."
In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is drawing a direct parallel between Christ's love for the Church and a husband's love for his wife, urging husbands to love their wives with the same self-sacrificing care. He then extends this principle by explaining that a husband's profound connection to his wife means her well-being is intrinsically tied to his own, just as Christ is united with His body, the Church. This sets the stage for him to elaborate on their deep, spiritual union and the responsibilities that flow from it.
The Bible doesn't just say husbands should love their wives; it tells them HOW. This verse gives a shocking, intimate comparison to explain that 'how'.
Paul tells husbands to love their wives "as their own bodies." This isn't just about treating her well; it's about a profound identification. Think about it: you instinctively protect, nourish, and care for your own body. You feel its pain, its hunger, its needs. Paul says a husband's love for his wife should have that same inherent, deep-seated connection.
This connection stems from the divine design of marriage: "one flesh." The husband and wife are no longer two separate individuals but a unified entity. Therefore, her well-being is intrinsically linked to his own.
This verse makes a powerful claim: when a husband loves his wife, he's not just loving her, he's fundamentally loving himself. How can this be?
The radical idea here is that the wife is so intrinsically connected to the husband that her well-being is his own well-being. Because they are "one flesh," what benefits her ultimately benefits him, and what harms her ultimately harms him.
Think of it as a feedback loop of care. When a husband invests in his wife's happiness, health, and spiritual growth, he is, in essence, investing in his own. This isn't selfish; it's the natural outworking of the profound unity God established in marriage. A man who neglects his wife is, in a very real sense, neglecting and harming himself.
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Understand the original words
sarx · Greek Noun
The physical body of an individual, often used metaphorically in Scripture to describe humanity, human nature, or the unity of believers as one entity under Christ.
ektrephō · Greek Verb
To provide sustenance, care for, and bring to maturity. Biblically, this term reflects the active, ongoing care and provision provided by Christ to His people.
thalpō · Greek Verb
To treat with tender care, warmth, and protection. It implies an affectionate concern for the well-being of another, similar to the care one gives to their own person.
This foundational creation account establishes the 'one flesh' union of husband and wife, directly underpinning Paul's assertion that a husband's love for his wife is akin to loving himself.
1 Corinthians 6:17This passage highlights the deep spiritual unity believers have with Christ, mirroring the 'one flesh' concept and emphasizing that our bodies are part of a greater union, much like a husband and wife.
Colossians 3:19This verse directly instructs husbands to 'love' their wives and not be 'bitter' towards them, reinforcing the active, caring love described in Ephesians 5:28 and warning against actions that would destroy that unity.
1 Peter 3:7This verse complements Ephesians 5:28 by instructing husbands to 'live with their wives in understanding,' showing consideration and respect, which are essential components of loving one's wife as oneself.
barnesEphesians 5:28: "So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself."
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies - Because they are one flesh; Ephesians 5:31 . This is the subject on which Paul had been speaking, and from which he had been diverted by the allusion to the glorified church. The doctrine here is, that a husband should have the same care for the comfort of his wife which he has for himself. He should regard her as one with himself…
gillEphesians 5:28: "So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself."
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies,.... It is a common saying with the Jews, that a man's wife is "as his own body" (r); and it is one of the precepts of their wise men, that a man should honour his wife more than his body, , and "love her as his body" (s); for as they also say, they are but one body (t); the apostle seems to speak in the language of his countrymen;…
The verse highlights that a husband is to love his wife "as his own body," emphasizing a profound identification rather than a mere comparison. This means he should care for her well-being and comfort with the same instinct and commitment he has for himself, because in God's design, they have become "one flesh."
Paul is drawing a direct parallel between Christ's love for the Church and a husband's love for his wife, urging husbands to love their wives with the same self-sacrificing care. He then extends this principle by explaining that a husband's profound connection to his wife means her well-being is intrinsically tied to his own, just as Christ is united with His body, the Church. This sets the stage for him to elaborate on their deep, spiritual union and the responsibilities that flow from it.
Paul is drawing a direct parallel between Christ's love for the Church and a husband's love for his wife, urging husbands to love their wives with the same self-sacrificing care. He then extends this principle by explaining that a husband's profound connection to his wife means her well-being is intrinsically tied to his own, just as Christ is united with His body, the Church. This sets the stage for him to elaborate on their deep, spiritual union and the responsibilities that flow from it.
"In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church," — The verse highlights that a husband is to love his wife "as his own body," emphasizing a profound identification rather than a mere comparison. This means he should care for her well-being and comfor…
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Last reviewed October 2026
