The Meaning of Ephesians 5:32 Explained

Ephesians 5:32

KJV: This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

YLT: this secret is great, and I speak in regard to Christ and to the assembly;

Darby: This mystery is great, but I speak as to Christ, and as to the assembly.

ASV: This mystery is great: but I speak in regard of Christ and of the church.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

This  is  a great  mystery:  but  I  speak  concerning  Christ  and  the church. 

What does Ephesians 5:32 Mean?

Study Notes

bride
Ephesians 5:30 ; Ephesians 5:31 are quoted from Genesis 2:23 ; Genesis 2:24 and exclude the interpretation that the reference is to the church merely as the body of Christ. Eve, taken from Adam's body, was truly "bone of his bones, and flesh of his flesh," but she was also his wife, united to him in a relation which makes of "twain.. . one flesh" Matthew 19:5 ; Hosea 2:14-18 and so a clear type of the church as bride of Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:2 ; Matthew 21:37-39 . The bride type are Eve Genesis 2:23 ; Genesis 2:24 Rebecca
.
Asenath
Zipporah Exodus 2:21 .
mystery .
And Abraham
The entire chapter is highly typical:
(1) Abraham, type of a certain king who would make a marriage for his son Matthew 22:2 ; Ephesians 3:1-11 .
(2) the unnamed servant, type of the Holy Spirit, who does not "speak of himself," but takes of the things of the Bridegroom with which to win the bride John 16:13 ; John 16:14 .
(3) the servant, type of the Spirit as enriching the bride with the Bridegroom's gifts Galatians 5:22 ; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 .
(4) the servant, type of the Spirit as bringing the bride to the meeting with the Bridegroom Acts 13:4 ; Acts 16:6 ; Acts 16:7 ; Romans 8:11 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-16 .
(5) Rebekah, type of the Church, the ecclesia, the "called out" virgin bride of Christ Genesis 24:16 ; 2 Corinthians 11:2 ; Ephesians 5:25-32 .
(6) Isaac, type of the Bridegroom, "whom not having seen," the bride loves through the testimony of the unnamed Servant 1 Peter 1:8 .
(7) Isaac, type of the Bridegroom who goes out to meet and receive His bride Genesis 24:63 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-16 .
Zaphnath-paaneah
Asenath, the Gentile bride espoused by Joseph the rejected one John 19:15 type of the Church, called out from the Gentiles to be the bride of Christ during the time of His rejection by His brethren, Israel.; Acts 15:14 ; Ephesians 5:31 ; Ephesians 5:32 . (See Scofield " Genesis 37:2 ") .
Zaphnath-paaneah Coptic, revealer of secret things.
Joseph
While it is nowhere asserted that Joseph was a type of Christ, the analogies are too numerous to be accidental. They are:
(1) both were especial objects of a father's love Genesis 37:3 ; Matthew 3:17 ; John 3:35 ; John 5:20 .
(2) both were hated by their brethren Genesis 37:4 ; John 15:25 .
(3) the superior claims of both were rejected by their brethren Genesis 37:8 ; 2 Corinthians 11:3 ; John 15:24 ; John 15:25 .
(4) the brethren of both conspired against them to slay them Genesis 37:18 ; Matthew 26:3 ; Matthew 26:4 .
(5) Joseph was, in intent and figure, slain by his brethren, as was Christ Genesis 37:24 ; Matthew 27:35-37 .
(6) each became a blessing among the Gentiles, and gained a Gentile bride Genesis 41:1-45 ; Acts 15:14 ; Ephesians 5:25-32 .
(7) as Joseph reconciled his brethren to himself, and afterward exalted them, so will it be with Christ and His Jewish brethren Genesis 45:1-15 ; Deuteronomy 30:1-10 ; Matthew 19:6 ; Romans 11:1 ; Romans 11:15 ; Romans 11:25 ; Romans 11:26 .
She is not my wife
That Israel is the wife of Jehovah Hosea 2:16-23 , now disowned but yet to be restored, is the clear teaching of the passages. This relationship is not to be confounded with that of the Church of Christ. (See Scofield " John 3:29 ") . In the mystery of the Divine tri-unity both are true. The N.T. speaks of the Church as a virgin espoused to one husband 2 Corinthians 11:1 ; 2 Corinthians 11:2 which could never be said of an adulterous wife, restored in grace. Israel is, then, to be the restored and forgiven wife of Jehovah, the Church the virgin wife of the Lamb; John 3:29 ; Revelation 19:6-8 . Israel Jehovah's earthly wife Hosea 2:23 , the Church the Lamb's heavenly bride, Revelation 19:7 .
mysteries
A "mystery" in Scripture is a previously hidden truth, now divinely revealed; but in which a supernatural element still remains despite the revelation. The greater mysteries are:
(1) The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven Matthew 13:3-50 .
(2) the mystery of Israel's blindness during this age Romans 11:25 (with context);
(3) the mystery of the translation of living saints at the end of this age 1 Corinthians 15:51 ; 1 Corinthians 15:52 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 .
(4) the mystery of N.T. church as one body composed of Jew and Gentile John 6:44 ; Romans 16:25 ; Ephesians 6:19 ; Colossians 4:3 .
(5) the mystery of the church as the bride of Christ Ephesians 5:28-32 .
(6) the mystery of the inliving Christ Galatians 2:20 ; Colossians 1:26 ; Colossians 1:27 .
(7) the "mystery of God even Christ," i.e. Christ as the incarnate fullness of the Godhead embodied, in whom all the divine wisdom for man subsists Colossians 2:2 ; Colossians 2:9 ; 1 Corinthians 2:7 .
(8) the mystery of the processes by which godlikeness is restored to man 1 Timothy 3:16 .
(9) the mystery of iniquity 2 Thessalonians 2:7 ; Matthew 13:33 .
(10) the mystery of the seven stars Revelation 1:20 .
(11) the mystery of Babylon Revelation 17:5 ; Revelation 17:7 .
kingdom (See Scofield " Matthew 3:2 ") .

Verse Meaning

The mystery in view is the truth previously hidden but now brought to light. The relationship that exists between a husband and his wife is the same as the one that exists between Christ and His church. The church has as close a tie to Christ spiritually as a wife has to her husband spiritually. Paul revealed that Genesis 2:24 contains a more profound truth than people previously realized. The mystery is great because it has far-reaching implications.
One of the purposes of marriage is to model Jesus Christ"s relationship with the church. He leads, loves, and serves the church. The church reverently submits and is subject to Him. When husbands and wives fulfill these responsibilities to one another, their marriage models the relationship between Christ and His bride.

Context Summary

Ephesians 5:22-33 - Love Of Husband And Wife
The Apostle has been urging us to be filled with the Spirit, and now proceeds to show how Spirit-filled people should act in their homes. He has been exhorting to praise and joyfulness, and now urges that our lives, as well as our lips, should be attuned to music.
What a lofty ideal of wedded love is here! Chrysostom says: "Wouldest thou that thy wife obey thee as the Church doth Christ? Have care for her, then, as Christ for the Church." Our earthly relationships are similitudes and emblems of sacred realities, and the more we can import into the time sphere the inspiration and virtue of the eternal, the more transcendental and beautiful will they become. The Lord has taught us the utter renunciation of love. Men of the world reckon how much love they can get; the children of eternity how much they can give; but such giving always means getting back with compound interest. Notice those phrases about nourishing and cherishing. O wounded member of Christ's body, He suffers in thee, nourishes, cherishes, and will heal! [source]

Chapter Summary: Ephesians 5

1  After general exhortations to love;
3  to flee sexual immorality;
4  and all uncleanness;
7  not to converse with the wicked;
15  to walk carefully;
18  and to be filled with the Spirit;
22  he descends to the particular duties, how wives ought to obey their husbands;
25  and husbands ought to love their wives,
32  even as Christ does his church

Greek Commentary for Ephesians 5:32

This mystery is great [το μυστηριον τουτο μεγα εστιν]
For the word “mystery” see note on Ephesians 1:9. Clearly Paul means to say that the comparison of marriage to the union of Christ and the church is the mystery. He makes that plain by the next words. [source]
But I speak [εγω δε λεγω]
“Now I mean.” Cf. 1 Corinthians 7:29; 1 Corinthians 15:50. In regard of Christ and of the church (εις Χριστον και εισ την εκκλησιαν — eis Christon kai ̣eiš tēn ekklēsian). “With reference to Christ and the church.” That is all that εις — eis here means. [source]
In regard of Christ and of the church [εις Χριστον και εισ την εκκλησιαν]
“With reference to Christ and the church.” That is all that εις — eis here means. [source]
A great mystery []
Great is predicative, not attributive. Rev., correctly, this mystery is great. The reference in this mystery is to the preceding statement of the conjugal relation of the Church with Christ, typified by the human marriage relation. [source]
Concerning Christ and the Church []
Rev., in regard of ( εἰς ). Not calling your attention to the mere human relationship, but to the mysterious relation between Christ and His Church, of which that is a mere semblance. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Ephesians 5:32

Romans 11:25 Mystery [μυστήριον]
In the Septuagint only in Daniel. See Daniel 2:18, Daniel 2:19, Daniel 2:27, Daniel 2:28, Daniel 2:30, of the king's secret. It occurs frequently in the apocryphal books, mostly of secrets of state, or plans kept by a king in his own mind. This meaning illustrates the use of the word in passages like Matthew 13:11, “mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” - secret purposes or counsels which God intends to carry into effect in His kingdom. So here; Romans 16:25; Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:26, Colossians 1:27; Colossians 2:2; Colossians 4:3; Revelation 10:7. In Justin Martyr (second century) it is commonly used in connection with σύμβολον symbol τύπος type παραβολή parableand so is evidently closely related in meaning to these words. Compare Revelation 1:20; Revelation 17:7, This meaning may possibly throw light on Ephesians 5:32. In early ecclesiastical Latin μυστήριον was rendered by sacramentum, which in classical Latin means the military oath. The explanation of the word sacrament, which is so often founded on this etymology, is therefore mistaken, since the meaning of sacrament belongs to μυστήριον and not to sacramentum in the classical sense. In Ephesians 3:3-6, Paul uses the word as here, of the admission of the Gentiles. [source]
Romans 11:25 This mystery [το μυστηριον τουτο]
Not in the pagan sense of an esoteric doctrine for the initiated (from μυεω — mueō to blink, to wink), unknown secrets (2 Thessalonians 2:7), or like the mystery religions of the time, but the revealed will of God now made known to all (1 Corinthians 2:1, 1 Corinthians 2:7; 1 Corinthians 4:1) which includes Gentiles also (Romans 16:25; Colossians 1:26.; Ephesians 3:3.) and so far superior to man‘s wisdom (Colossians 2:2; Colossians 4:13; Ephesians 3:9; Ephesians 5:32; Ephesians 6:19; Matthew 13:11; Mark 4:11). Paul has covered every point of difficulty concerning the failure of the Jews to accept Jesus as the Messiah and has shown how God has overruled it for the blessing of the Gentiles with a ray of hope still held out for the Jews. “In early ecclesiastical Latin μυστηριον — mustērion was rendered by sacramentum, which in classical Latin means the military oath. The explanation of the word sacrament, which is so often founded on this etymology, is therefore mistaken, since the meaning of sacrament belongs to μυστηριον — mustērion and not to sacramentum in the classical sense” (Vincent). [source]
1 Corinthians 12:28 In the church [en tēi ekklēsiāi)]
The general sense of αποστολους — ekklēsia as in Matthew 16:18 and later in Colossians 1:18, Colossians 1:24; Ephesians 5:23, Ephesians 5:32; Hebrews 12:23. See list also in Ephesians 4:11. See note on Matthew 10:2 for προπητας — apostolous the official title given the twelve by Jesus, and claimed by Paul though not one of the twelve. Prophets (διδασκαλους — prophētas). For-speakers for God and Christ. See the list of prophets and teachers in Acts 13:1 with Barnabas first and Saul last. Prophets are needed today if men will let God‘s Spirit use them, men moved to utter the deep things of God. Teachers Old word from αποστολος — didaskō to teach. Used to the Baptist (Luke 3:12), to Jesus (John 3:10; John 13:13), and of Paul by himself along with επειτα δυναμεις — apostolos (1 Timothy 2:7). It is a calamity when the preacher is no longer a teacher, but only an exhorter. See note on Ephesians 4:11. Then miracles (δυναμεισ ιαμητων γλωσσων — epeita dunameis). Here a change is made from the concrete to the abstract. See the reverse in Romans 12:7. See these words (γλωσσων — dunameisαντιλημπσεις — iamētōnαντιλαμβανομαι — glōssōn) in 1 Corinthians 12:9, 1 Corinthians 12:10 with κυβερνησεις — glōssōn last again. But these two new terms (helps, governments). Helps Old word, from Κυβερνητης — antilambanomai to lay hold of. In lxx, common in papyri, here only in N.T. Probably refers to the work of the deacons, help rendered to the poor and the sick. Governments (επισχοποι — kubernēseis). Old word from πρεσβυτεροι — kubernaō (cf. οι προισταμενοι — Kubernētēs in Acts 27:11) like Latin gubernare, our govern. So a governing. Probably Paul has in mind bishops (οι ηγουμενοι — episcopoi) or elders (presbuteroi), the outstanding leaders (hoi proistamenoi in 1 Thessalonians 5:12; Romans 12:8; hoi hēgoumenoi in Acts 15:22; Hebrews 13:7, Hebrews 13:17, Hebrews 13:24). Curiously enough, these two offices (pastors and deacons) which are not named specifically are the two that survive today. See note on Philemon 1:1 for both officers. [source]
Ephesians 1:22 Gave him to be head [αυτον εδωκεν κεπαλην]
Gave (εδωκεν — edōken first aorist active indicative of διδωμι — didōmi) to the church (the universal spiritual church or kingdom as in Colossians 1:18, Colossians 1:24) Christ as Head (κεπαλην — kephalēn predicate accusative). This conception of εκκλησια — ekklēsia runs all through Ephesians (Ephesians 3:10, Ephesians 3:21; Ephesians 5:23, Ephesians 5:24, Ephesians 5:25, Ephesians 5:27, Ephesians 5:29, Ephesians 5:32). [source]
Ephesians 1:22 Gave [εδωκεν]
This conception of εκκλησια — ekklēsia runs all through Ephesians (Ephesians 3:10, Ephesians 3:21; Ephesians 5:23, Ephesians 5:24, Ephesians 5:25, Ephesians 5:27, Ephesians 5:29, Ephesians 5:32). [source]
1 Timothy 3:16 Lit. confessedly . N.T.o The mystery of godliness [τὸ τῆς εὐσεβείας μυστήριον]
(a) The connection of thought is with the truth (1 Timothy 3:15), and the words mystery of godliness are a paraphrase of that word. The church is the pillar and stay of the truth, and the truth constitutes the mystery of godliness. (b) The contents of this truth or mystery is Christ, revealed in the gospel as the Savior from ungodliness, the norm and inspiration of godliness, the divine life in man, causing him to live unto God as Christ did and does (Romans 6:10). See 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Timothy 2:5; Colossians 1:26, Colossians 1:27. According to the Fourth Gospel, Christ is himself the truth (John 14:6). The mystery of godliness is the substance of piety = mystery of the faith (1 Timothy 3:9). (c) The truth is called a mystery because it was, historically, hidden, until revealed in the person and work of Christ; also because it is concealed from human wisdom, and apprehended only by faith in the revelation of God through Christ. (d) The genitive, of godliness, is possessive. The mystery of godliness is the truth which pertains or belongs to godliness. It is not the property of worldly wisdom. Great ( μέγα ) means important, weighty, as Ephesians 5:32. [source]
1 Timothy 3:16 Without controversy [ὁμολογουμένως]
Lit. confessedly. N.T.oThe mystery of godliness ( τὸ τῆς εὐσεβείας μυστήριον )(a) The connection of thought is with the truth (1 Timothy 3:15), and the words mystery of godliness are a paraphrase of that word. The church is the pillar and stay of the truth, and the truth constitutes the mystery of godliness. (b) The contents of this truth or mystery is Christ, revealed in the gospel as the Savior from ungodliness, the norm and inspiration of godliness, the divine life in man, causing him to live unto God as Christ did and does (Romans 6:10). See 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Timothy 2:5; Colossians 1:26, Colossians 1:27. According to the Fourth Gospel, Christ is himself the truth (John 14:6). The mystery of godliness is the substance of piety = mystery of the faith (1 Timothy 3:9). (c) The truth is called a mystery because it was, historically, hidden, until revealed in the person and work of Christ; also because it is concealed from human wisdom, and apprehended only by faith in the revelation of God through Christ. (d) The genitive, of godliness, is possessive. The mystery of godliness is the truth which pertains or belongs to godliness. It is not the property of worldly wisdom. Great ( μέγα ) means important, weighty, as Ephesians 5:32. [source]
1 Timothy 3:16 Great [μεγα]
See note on Ephesians 5:32. “A great mystery.” The mystery of godliness (το της ευσεβειας μυστηριον — to tēs eusebeias mustērion). See 1 Timothy 3:9 “the mystery of the faith,” and 1 Timothy 2:2 for ευσεβεια — eusebeia Here the phrase explains “a pillar and stay of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). See in particular 1 Corinthians 1:27. “The revealed secret of true religion, the mystery of Christianity, the Person of Christ” (Lock). He who The correct text, not τεος — theos (God) the reading of the Textus Receptus (Syrian text) nor ο — ho (neuter relative, agreeing with μυστηριον — mustērion) the reading of the Western documents. Westcott and Hort print this relative clause as a fragment of a Christian hymn (like Ephesians 5:14) in six strophes. That is probably correct. At any rate ος — hos (who) is correct and there is asyndeton (no connective) in the verbs. Christ, to whom ος — hos refers, is the mystery (Colossians 1:27; Colossians 2:2). Was manifested (επανερωτη — ephanerōthē). First aorist passive indicative of πανεροω — phaneroō to manifest. Here used to describe the incarnation (εν σαρκι — en sarki) of Christ (an answer also to the Docetic Gnostics). The verb is used by Paul elsewhere of the incarnation (Romans 16:26; Colossians 1:26) as well as of the second coming (Colossians 3:4). Justified in the spirit First aorist passive indicative of δικαιοω — dikaioō to declare righteous, to vindicate. Christ was vindicated in his own spirit (Hebrews 9:14) before men by overcoming death and rising from the dead (Romans 1:3.). Seen of angels (ωπτη αγγελοις — ōphthē aggelois). First aorist passive indicative of οραω — horaō to see, with either the instrumental or the dative case of angels (αγγελοις — aggelois). The words were probably suggested by the appearance of Jesus (ωπτη — ōphthē the usual form for the resurrection appearances of Christ) of the angels at the tomb and at the ascension of Christ. See note on Philemon 2:10; 1 Peter 3:22 for the appearance of Jesus to the angels in heaven at the ascension. Some would take “angels” here to be “messengers” (the women). Preached among the nations First aorist passive indicative of κηρυσσω — kērussō to proclaim. The word ετνος — ethnos may mean “all creation” (Colossians 1:23) and not just Gentiles as distinct from Jews. Paul had done more of this heralding of Christ among the Gentiles than any one else. It was his glory (Ephesians 3:1, Ephesians 3:8). Cf. 1 Timothy 2:7. Believed on in the world (επιστευτη εν κοσμωι — episteuthē en kosmōi). First aorist indicative passive again of πιστευω — pisteuō to believe (2 Thessalonians 1:10). Cf. 1 Timothy 1:15; 2 Corinthians 5:19. Received up in glory First aorist passive again (six verbs in the same voice and tense in succession, a rhythmic arrangement like a hymn). Cf. Romans 8:29. This time the verb is αναλαμβανω — analambanō the verb used of the ascension (Acts 1:11, Acts 1:22, which see). In a wonderful way this stanza of a hymn presents the outline of the life of Christ. [source]

What do the individual words in Ephesians 5:32 mean?

The mystery this great is I however speak as to Christ and the church
τὸ μυστήριον τοῦτο μέγα ἐστίν ἐγὼ δὲ λέγω εἰς Χριστὸν καὶ τὴν ἐκκλησίαν

μυστήριον  mystery 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: μυστήριον  
Sense: hidden thing, secret, mystery.
τοῦτο  this 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
μέγα  great 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: μέγας  
Sense: great.
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
λέγω  speak 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
εἰς  as  to 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
Χριστὸν  Christ 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: Χριστός  
Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God.
ἐκκλησίαν  church 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐκκλησία  
Sense: a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly.