Devine Scripture

Ephesians 5:33

What does Ephesians 5:33 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 5:33 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 5:33 means

Paul closes with a succinct, practical summary. Each husband must “love” his wife “even as himself,” echoing the one-flesh reality and Christlike standard. The wife is to “fear” (reverently respect) her husband, honoring him with esteem and supportive alignment. Love and respect meet the deepest relational needs and prevent the cycles of neglect and contempt. This is not a negotiation but a calling under Christ’s lordship, sustained by the Spirit’s filling (vv. 18–21). When lived out, marriage becomes a theater of the gospel—sacrificial love answering reverent respect—bearing witness to the greater marriage between Christ and His church.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But do you, everyone, have love for his wife, even as for himself; and let the wife see that she has respect for her husband.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

but ye also, every one in particular--let each his own wife so love as himself, and the wife--that she may reverence the husband.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular love for his wife as himself: And let the wife fear her husband.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But ye also, every one of you, let each so love his own wife as himself; but as to the wife [I speak] that she may fear the husband.

Context

After unfolding the profound mystery of Christ and the church (v. 32), Paul returns to ground-level instruction, ensuring that theology shapes practice. This verse summarizes the chapter’s marriage teaching, concluding the household section for husbands and wives before Paul will address children, parents, and servants in the next chapter. The connection back to earlier themes—Spirit-filled life, mutual submission, sacrificial love—shows that all Christian relationships are to be lived in light of God’s grace and Christ’s example.

v.32This mystery is great: but I speak in regard of Christ and of the church.

v.33This passage

Cross references

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

  • Ephesians 5:28

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

  • Ephesians 5:25

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

  • Ephesians 5:22

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

  • Hebrews 12:9

    Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

  • 1 Peter 3:2

    beholding your chaste behaviorcoupledwith fear.

  • Colossians 3:19

    Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

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