“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Ephesians 5:31
What does Ephesians 5:31 mean?
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Ephesians 5:31
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The phrase "shall become one flesh" isn't just about physical union; it signifies a profound, almost indivisible unity where the two individuals are re-defined as a single entity, mirroring Christ's union with the Church. This deeper meaning is why the text emphasizes leaving all prior ties, including family, to cleave to this new, sacred bond.
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul quotes Genesis 2:24 to establish the profound, lifelong union of marriage, highlighting how a husband and wife become "one flesh." This ancient principle, rooted in creation, serves as a foundation for understanding the even deeper spiritual union between Christ and the Church that Paul has been describing. The commitment of marriage, involving leaving parental ties to cleave to a spouse, mirrors the unique and intimate bond between Christ and His people.
Marriage isn't just a contract; it's a divine blueprint. This verse lays out the foundational principle of what it means to form a new, inseparable union.
Leaving to Cleave
The verse begins with a command: "leave his father and his mother." This isn't about abandoning family, but about establishing a new primary allegiance. The original Hebrew concept points to a radical shift in loyalty and dependence.
What does it truly mean for two individuals to become 'one flesh'? It goes far deeper than just living together.
A Unified Identity
The phrase "one flesh" is more than a description of physical union; it signifies a profound merging of lives and identities. It speaks to a shared destiny and a singular purpose.
Ask a follow-up
Paul calls marriage a "great mystery." What mystery is so profound that it mirrors the deepest relationship imaginable?
The Christ-Church Analogy
While rooted in the Genesis creation account, Paul elevates the understanding of marriage by connecting it to the relationship between Christ and the Church. This isn't just about earthly partnership; it's about reflecting a heavenly reality.
Understand the original words
kataleipsei · Greek Verb
A term referring to the fundamental, often public, act of initiating a new family unit by departing from the primary authority and sustenance of one’s parents. It signifies a transition of priority and loyalty.
proskollēthēsetai · Greek Verb
To cling to, adhere to, or be joined to someone or something with intensity and commitment. In marriage, it describes the lifelong, inseparable bond between spouses.
sarka mian · Greek Noun phrase
A term describing the physical, spiritual, and emotional union of a husband and wife, signifying that they are no longer two separate entities but a single unit in God’s sight.
This is the foundational passage that Ephesians 5:31 quotes directly, establishing the principle of leaving parents to form a new, unified family unit in marriage.
Matthew 19:5Jesus reiterates the Genesis account and Ephesians citation, emphasizing the sacred and inseparable nature of the marital union as established by God from the beginning.
1 Corinthians 6:16-17This passage speaks of becoming 'one flesh' in the context of sexual immorality, highlighting the deep, unifying power of the marriage bond and the danger of violating it.
Colossians 3:18-19These verses directly follow instructions for husbands and wives, urging them to live in accordance with their new identity in Christ, which includes fulfilling their marital roles.
gillEphesians 5:31: "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh."
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother,.... These words contain the law of marriage, and are cited from Genesis 2:24 ; and declare what ought to be, and are a prophecy of what should be; and are observed against polygamy, and to stir up mutual affection; See Gill on Matthew 19:5 .
barnesEphesians 5:31: "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh."
For this cause - Ἀντὶ τόυτου Anti toutou. This verse is a quotation from Genesis 2:24 , and contains the account of the institution of marriage. The meaning of the phrase rendered "for this cause" is, "answerably to this;" or corresponding to this - that is, to what Paul had just said of the union of believers and the Redeemer. On the meaning of this…
The phrase "shall become one flesh" isn't just about physical union; it signifies a profound, almost indivisible unity where the two individuals are re-defined as a single entity, mirroring Christ's union with the Church. This deeper meaning is why the text emphasizes leaving all prior ties, including family, to cleave to this new, sacred bond.
Paul quotes Genesis 2:24 to establish the profound, lifelong union of marriage, highlighting how a husband and wife become "one flesh." This ancient principle, rooted in creation, serves as a foundation for understanding the even deeper spiritual union between Christ and the Church that Paul has been describing. The commitment of marriage, involving leaving parental ties to cleave to a spouse, mirrors the unique and intimate bond between Christ and His people.
Paul quotes Genesis 2:24 to establish the profound, lifelong union of marriage, highlighting how a husband and wife become "one flesh." This ancient principle, rooted in creation, serves as a foundation for understanding the even deeper spiritual union between Christ and the Church that Paul has been describing. The commitment of marriage, involving leaving parental ties to cleave to a spouse, mirrors the unique and intimate bond between Christ and His people.
"“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”" — The phrase "shall become one flesh" isn't just about physical union; it signifies a profound, almost indivisible unity where the two individuals are re-defined as a single entity, mirroring Christ's…
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Last reviewed October 2026