Devine Scripture

Ephesians 5:23

What does Ephesians 5:23 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 5:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 5:23 means

Paul explains the rationale: “the husband is the head of the wife,” paralleling “as Christ also is the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body.” Headship implies responsibility, loving leadership, and care, not tyranny. The comparison to Christ is crucial: His headship is defined by saving, not by self-serving. Thus, a husband’s authority must seek his wife’s good, protection, and flourishing. The church’s relationship to Christ supplies the pattern for order in marriage. By rooting headship in Christ’s redemptive leadership, Paul guards against cultural distortions and points to the cross as the measure of any claim to lead.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

because the husband is head of the wife, as also the Christ <FI>is<Fi> head of the assembly, and he is saviour of the body,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Because the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church. He is the saviour of his body.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for a husband is head of the wife, as also the Christ [is] head of the assembly. He [is] Saviour of the body.

Context

After instructing wives to submit as to the Lord (v. 22), Paul clarifies the theological basis: a headship pattern modeled on Christ and the church. Verse 24 will draw the corresponding inference for wives, and verse 25 will turn to husbands with a parallel call to sacrificial love. This progression ensures that marital roles are not arbitrary; they are tied to the saving relationship between Christ and His people, which shapes both the why and the how of marriage conduct.

v.22Wives, be in subjection unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

v.23This passage

v.24But as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their husbands in everything.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ephesians 5:25

    Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it;

  • Colossians 1:18

    And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:3

    But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

  • Ephesians 4:15

    but speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ;

  • Ephesians 1:22

    and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church,

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