Ephesians 5:30 kjv
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Ephesians 5:30 nkjv
For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.
Ephesians 5:30 niv
for we are members of his body.
Ephesians 5:30 esv
because we are members of his body.
Ephesians 5:30 nlt
And we are members of his body.
Ephesians 5 30 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eph 5:30 | for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. | Gen 2:23 (Adam called Eve "bone of my bones") |
| 1 Cor 6:15 | Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? | 1 Cor 12:12 (Body of Christ metaphor) |
| 1 Cor 12:27 | Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. | Eph 4:25 (Putting away falsehood, speaking truth) |
| Col 1:18 | And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; | Col 1:24 (Completing Christ's afflictions) |
| Col 2:19 | And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands is supplied and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. | John 15:5 (Abiding in Christ) |
| John 17:21 | That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: | Gal 3:28 (One in Christ Jesus) |
| Rom 12:4-5 | For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members of one another. | Phil 3:20 (Citizenship in heaven) |
| Eph 4:16 | From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. | Heb 12:23 (Church of the firstborn) |
| Gen 37:12-13 | And his brethren went to feed their father's flock in Shechem. And Israel said unto Joseph, Did not thy brethren keep the charge of thy father in Shechem? Come, I will send thee unto them. | 1 Sam 17:45 (David against Goliath) |
| Song 4:7 | Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee. | Eph 5:27 (Presenting the church without blemish) |
| Ex 29:45 | And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God. | 1 Cor 3:16 (Temple of God) |
| Ps 80:1 | Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth. | Jer 31:9 (Comfort in restoration) |
| Acts 17:28 | For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. | John 1:1-3 (Word became flesh) |
| Rom 8:9 | But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. | Eph 4:30 (Do not grieve the Holy Spirit) |
| Eph 5:28-29 | So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourished it and cherished it, even as the Lord the church: | 1 Cor 7:4 (Wife's body is not her own) |
| Rev 21:9 | And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. | Eph 5:31-32 (Man and wife as one flesh) |
| John 1:14 | And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. | Phil 2:5-7 (Mind of Christ) |
| Eph 3:18 | May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; | Col 2:10 (Completeness in Christ) |
| Eph 2:21 | In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: | 1 Peter 2:5 (Living stones) |
| Eph 2:14 | For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; | Eph 5:32 (Christ and the church is a great mystery) |
Ephesians 5 verses
Ephesians 5 30 Meaning
We are members of His body. This highlights the intimate and organic union between believers and Christ, positioning them as integral parts of His very being.
Ephesians 5 30 Context
This verse in Ephesians 5 builds upon the analogy of marriage introduced in the preceding verses. Paul is explaining the profound relationship between Christ and the Church by drawing a parallel to the marital union between a husband and wife. He has stated that the husband's love for his wife should mirror Christ's love for the Church, and that the wife should respect her husband. This intimacy and oneness established in the marital relationship is then directly applied to the spiritual union between believers and Christ. The ultimate foundation for this connection is found in the Genesis creation account where Adam recognized Eve as "bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh," illustrating a deep, essential unity.
Ephesians 5 30 Word Analysis
- For (gar): Indicates a reason or explanation for the preceding statement.
- we are (esmen): The first-person plural present indicative of "eimi," meaning "to be." It signifies a current, ongoing reality.
- members (melē): Refers to individual parts or limbs of a body. Here, it emphasizes believers as integral, functioning components of Christ's spiritual body.
- of (ek): Denotes origin or derivation, meaning "out of" or "from."
- His body (tou sōmatos autou): "Sōma" is the Greek word for body, referring to the entire physical organism. It signifies the unified entity of the Church, with Christ as its head.
- of His flesh (tēs sarkos autou): "Sarx" means flesh, referring to the physical substance of a human body. This signifies an inherent, deep connection, even a shared life.
- and (kai): A conjunction connecting phrases or clauses.
- of His bones (tōn ostōn autou): "Osteak" refers to bones, the structural framework. This reinforces the idea of fundamental connection and essential unity.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones": This tripartite expression ("body," "flesh," "bones") draws directly from the creation narrative in Genesis 2:23. When Adam saw Eve, he declared her to be "bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh." Paul uses this very intimate, familial language to describe the believers' profound union with Christ. It's not just that we belong to Christ, but that we are intrinsically, existentially part of Him, just as Eve was an essential part of Adam's being, taken from his very substance. This conveys a unity of life and substance.
Ephesians 5 30 Bonus Section
The language of "flesh" and "bones" carries significant weight in Jewish thought, often signifying deep kinship and shared life, as seen in familial relationships. Paul's application of this to the relationship between believers and Christ elevates the spiritual union to the most intimate level conceivable. This concept also finds resonance in Old Testament prophetic utterances and in the Psalms where Israel is often referred to metaphorically as God's body or His people, highlighting His ongoing relationship and concern. The imagery of Christ as the "head" (mentioned in Colossians 1:18) and the Church as the "body" powerfully illustrates this interconnectedness, where every part is essential and receives life from the Head. This spiritual anatomy emphasizes the complete dependence of the Church on Christ for its life, growth, and function.
Ephesians 5 30 Commentary
The verse states a profound truth: believers are not merely associated with Christ, but are integral parts of His very being, likened to limbs of a body, sharing in His "flesh" and "bones." This language, echoing Adam's declaration about Eve, underscores the intimate, inseparable, and life-giving union believers have with Christ. It is a spiritual reality born from His incarnation and sacrifice, establishing a unity that is organic and foundational, reflecting the perfect unity of husband and wife, and ultimately, Christ and the Church.