A Clay Jar

Encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. (1 Thess. 2:12 NIV)

Just As Christ Loved the Church

Ephesians 5:25-27

Published on:

Last updated on:

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

Ephesians 5:25-27 NIV

This passage comes amid instructions concerning family relationships, husband/wife, parent/child, and master/slave. Similar instructions can be found elsewhere in the writings of Paul (Col. 3:18-4:1) and Peter (1 Pet. 3:1-7). But here in Ephesians, Paul adds a twist. He compares the relationship of a husband and his wife with that of Christ and his church.

Christ loved his church so much that he gave his life for her. His sacrifice for us was not just to deliver us from the consequences of our sins. Paul says that Christ gave himself to make us holy, to wash us clean of the filth that had covered us, and to present us to himself as a radiant church—a church without flaw, holy and blameless.

You might say that Jesus went above and beyond in the love that he demonstrated for his church. A love that helps us reach heights that we would never have achieved otherwise.

Clearly, there are significant differences between Christ and his church and a husband and his wife. But that self-sacrificing love Christ has for his church should provide a model for the love a husband has for his wife. An unbreakable love between two who have become one. A love that will cherish her beyond anything else in this world; that will encourage her to blossom into the best she can be; that will see her through the trials and challenges she will face in this life; and will draw her ever closer to our Lord.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church.

Additional Related Posts

If you have found value in this post, please consider sharing it with your friends.

Subscribe to A Clay Jar

If you have found value in this post, please consider subscribing to A Clay Jar so that you don't miss any other posts. 

Just an old clay jar that God continues to see fit to use in his kingdom's work. I am retired, married with 2 children, and 4 grandchildren. I have followed Jesus for many years. And I love to share what He has given me from His word.

A Note to Readers

The views expressed here are solely mine and do not necessarily reflect those of any other person, group, or organization. While I believe they reflect the teachings of the Bible, I am a fallible human and subject to misunderstanding. Please feel free to leave any comments or questions about this post in the comments section below. I am always interested in your feedback.

Leave a Comment