Ephesians 5:31 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Ephesians 5:31 kjv
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.
Ephesians 5:31 nkjv
"For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."
Ephesians 5:31 niv
"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."
Ephesians 5:31 esv
"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."
Ephesians 5:31 nlt
As the Scriptures say, "A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one."
Ephesians 5 31 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 2:24 | "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." | Origin of the marriage institution. |
| Matt 19:4-6 | He answered, "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female,...So they are no longer two but one flesh..." | Jesus affirms Gen 2:24 and the permanence of marriage. |
| Mark 10:6-9 | "But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ...So they are no longer two but one flesh." | Jesus' teaching against divorce, based on Gen 2:24. |
| 1 Cor 6:16 | "Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, 'The two will become one flesh.'" | Sexual union as forming "one flesh" in marriage context. |
| 1 Cor 6:17 | "But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him." | Spiritual parallel to physical 'one flesh' union. |
| Mal 2:14 | "But you say, ‘Why does he not?’ Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless..." | Marriage as a solemn covenant. |
| Eph 5:25 | "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church..." | Contextual teaching on marriage, love and submission. |
| Eph 5:32 | "This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church." | Direct follow-up, revealing the spiritual depth. |
| Rom 7:2-3 | "For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives,...But if her husband dies, she is released..." | The indissoluble bond of marriage. |
| 1 Pet 3:7 | "Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel..." | Mutual respect and honor within marriage. |
| Heb 13:4 | "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous." | Honor and sanctity of marriage. |
| Gen 1:27 | "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." | Complementary nature of male and female. |
| Prov 18:22 | "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD." | The blessing and goodness of marriage. |
| 1 Cor 7:2-5 | "...let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband...The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights..." | Mutual conjugal duties within the marriage bond. |
| Col 3:18-19 | "Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them." | Marital roles and attitudes in the new covenant. |
| Prov 5:18-19 | "Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts satisfy you at all times..." | Joy, exclusivity, and sexual intimacy in marriage. |
| Eccl 4:9-12 | "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil...A threefold cord is not quickly broken." | Strength and benefits of partnership, echoing unity. |
| Deut 24:1-4 | (Laws concerning divorce, but affirming ideal of one spouse.) | Marriage laws in OT, hinting at permanence. |
| Eph 4:2-3 | "...with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit..." | Broader theme of unity and relationships. |
| Num 30:2 | "If a man vows a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word..." | Principle of covenant keeping and faithfulness. |
| Gen 34:3 | "...his soul was drawn to Dinah the daughter of Jacob; he loved the young woman and spoke tenderly to her." | The language of deep emotional attachment, akin to cleaving. |
| Ruth 1:16 | "But Ruth said, ‘Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you...where you lodge I will lodge.’" | A powerful expression of unwavering commitment and loyalty. |
Ephesians 5 verses
Ephesians 5 31 meaning
Ephesians 5:31, a direct quotation from Genesis 2:24, succinctly establishes the divine blueprint for marriage as a covenantal, permanent, and intimate union. It declares that a man is to emotionally, socially, and economically detach from his family of origin (leave) and form a new, profound, and exclusive bond with his wife (be joined), resulting in an unparalleled unity (one flesh) that encompasses all aspects of their shared existence. Paul quotes this foundational scripture to highlight the profound mystery of Christ's relationship with His Church, portraying human marriage as a tangible, earthly illustration of this greater divine reality.
Ephesians 5 31 Context
Ephesians 5:31 directly quotes Genesis 2:24 within a larger discourse by Paul on proper Christian conduct, specifically focusing on how believers are to walk in love, light, and wisdom. Preceding this verse, Paul addresses wives submitting to their husbands and husbands loving their wives, likening the marital relationship to that of Christ and the Church. The quote serves as the foundational theological and anthropological basis for Paul's extensive teaching on marital roles and duties in verses 22-30. Historically and culturally, in both Jewish and Greco-Roman societies, families of origin held immense power, and "leaving" often implied a less radical separation than presented in Gen 2:24 and affirmed by Paul. This emphasis on a new, exclusive marital unit would have stood in subtle contrast to practices where lineage or clan loyalty sometimes overshadowed conjugal bonds, and against certain Hellenistic philosophies that trivialized or demonized physical intimacy, thus diminishing the "one flesh" concept. Paul re-establishes God's original, high view of marriage, correcting any deviations from it.
Ephesians 5 31 Word analysis
- For this reason (ἀντὶ τούτου - anti toutou): Lit. "in return for this" or "instead of this." In context, it functions as "therefore" or "because of this." It signals that what follows is a consequence or explanation, specifically relating to the profound mystery Paul alludes to regarding Christ and the Church (v. 32). The purpose of human marriage is to reveal this greater divine truth.
- a man (ἄνθρωπος - anthrōpos): A generic term for a human being, but here, in the context of the quotation from Genesis 2:24, it specifically refers to the male in the creation account, as one who is paired with "his wife."
- shall leave (καταλείψει - kataleipsei): A strong verb meaning to forsake, abandon, or desert. It signifies more than mere physical relocation. It implies a shift in primary allegiance, dependence, and emotional attachment from parents to spouse. This act of "leaving" involves an independent establishment of a new household, physically, emotionally, financially, and relationally distinct from the family of origin.
- his father and mother: The foundational familial unit, indicating the primary relationship from which the new marital bond takes precedence.
- and be joined to (προσκολληθήσεται - proskollēthēsetai): From proskollaō, meaning to glue, cling, cleave, adhere closely. This is a powerful metaphor for an intense, unbreakable bond. It's an active, deliberate, and covenantal commitment that creates a deep unity and steadfast loyalty, a sticking together.
- his wife (γυναικὶ - gynaiki): Refers specifically to the married woman, emphasizing the singular, exclusive nature of the union.
- and the two (οἱ δύο - hoi duo): Emphasizes the distinct, separate entities (male and female) that previously existed now entering into a union. The distinct individuality remains, but their status changes profoundly.
- shall become (ἔσονται - esontai): A future tense verb, indicating the outcome, the expected state, or the intended result of the "leaving and joining." It describes a transformation that occurs.
- one flesh (σάρκα μίαν - sarka mian): This is a profound and multi-faceted concept. It literally refers to physical intimacy and consummation, but extends far beyond it. It signifies the complete unity and identification between husband and wife, encompassing physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual, and relational aspects. They are to function as one integrated unit, sharing a common life, purpose, and destiny. It indicates a shared identity so deep it's as if they are literally one biological entity, expressing unique complementarity.
Ephesians 5 31 Bonus section
The concept of "one flesh" carries significant weight for understanding biblical sexual ethics, positing sexual union as the consummation and seal of this comprehensive covenant, intended exclusively within the marital bond. This makes extramarital or premarital sexual activity a violation of the deep unity God intended, and effectively "tear" apart what is designed to be one. The divine design implies an indissoluble bond, highlighting why divorce, except for specific biblically defined instances, is presented as contrary to God's original intent. In an ancient world, the radical idea of "leaving" one's ancestral household was revolutionary, placing the conjugal unit as the new primary social and spiritual entity, emphasizing the unique sovereignty and intimacy of this divine institution over clan loyalties, challenging collectivist norms to forge a unique dyadic covenant under God.
Ephesians 5 31 Commentary
Ephesians 5:31, though a direct quote, serves as the divine foundation for Christian marriage and family structure, bridging creation to Christ. It defines marriage as a lifelong, exclusive covenant requiring a fundamental shift of primary allegiance. "Leaving" entails establishing an independent new family unit, emotionally and practically distinct from the family of origin. "Cleaving" signifies a steadfast, profound, and public commitment of loyal attachment. "One flesh" encapsulates the complete, holistic unity of the couple—physical, emotional, spiritual, and communal—underscoring its sacred intimacy and indissolubility. Paul intentionally applies this Genesis passage to illuminate the mystery of Christ and the Church (v. 32), asserting that human marriage is designed by God to vividly portray the depth, exclusivity, and transforming union of Christ with His redeemed people. Therefore, marriage is not merely a social construct or arrangement, but a profound theological image, a sacred trust reflecting ultimate divine reality.