Devine Scripture

Ephesians 5:28

What does Ephesians 5:28 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 5:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 5:28 means

Because marriage makes husband and wife “one flesh,” husbands should love their wives “as their own bodies.” To love one’s wife is to love oneself, since her well-being is bound to his. This reframes self-interest: true self-care includes devoted care for one’s spouse. The command moves from Christ’s cosmic model to everyday practice—nourishing, protecting, and honoring one’s wife as part of oneself. Such love is tangible, patient, and consistent. It resists neglect and selfishness, recognizing that marriage unites two lives profoundly. The measure of a husband’s maturity is seen in how he treats his wife, reflecting Christ’s care for His body, the church.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Even so ought husbands also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his own wife loveth himself:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Even so ought husbands also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his own wife loveth himself:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Even so it is right for husbands to have love for their wives as for their bodies. He who has love for his wife has love for himself:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

so ought the husbands to love their own wives as their own bodies: he who is loving his own wife--himself he doth love;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

So also ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

So ought men also to love their own wives as their own bodies: he that loves his own wife loves himself.

Context

After setting Christ’s sanctifying purpose (vv. 26–27), Paul applies the implication: husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies. Verse 29 will reinforce this with the natural analogy of nourishing and cherishing one’s own flesh, and verse 30 will link it explicitly to believers’ membership in Christ’s body. The argument then moves to Scripture’s foundation for marital oneness (v. 31) and the great mystery it signifies (v. 32).

v.27that he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

v.28This passage

v.29for no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as Christ also the church;

Cross references

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

  • Ephesians 5:31

    For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh.

  • Ephesians 5:25

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

  • Matthew 19:5

    and said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh?

  • Genesis 2:21

    And Jehovah God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof:

  • Ephesians 5:33

    Nevertheless do ye also severally love each one his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she fear her husband.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Ephesians 5

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Ephesians 5.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Ephesians 5:28.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary