In studying and referring to Ephesians 5:22-33, I have more often than not used this text for the purpose of teaching about marriage and the proper relationships within the home. Nevertheless, Paul makes it quite clear: “This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church” (Eph. 5:32). The roles that husbands and wives play only serve to illustrate the true lessons therein, but I have emphasized many times the illustration above the real lessons, even if they are practical and scriptural. Thus, I want to address the principle lesson that Paul addresses—the beautiful church of Christ.
In the first place, the church of Christ is to submit to Jesus as our head. After admonishing the brethren in Ephesus to submit “one to another in the fear of God” (5:21), he then emphasizes that the church of Christ is to submit to Jesus as our head, just as wives are to submit to their husbands and recognize them as heads of the household. He had earlier pointed out to the Christians in Ephesus the relationship that Christ has with His church (1:22-23), and he once again points out in this epistle that unravels the mystery of the gospel concerning the church (cf. 3:1-12) what Christ desires from His bride, the church—submission. Thus, Christians ought always to view the will of God with a heart that is ready to obey (cf. Matt. 7:21; Heb. 5:8-9). We ought to be as submissive as Isaiah was before the throne of God: “Here am I; send me” (Isa. 6:8). The head of the church has not given us the liberty to pick and choose which commands we may obey and which commands we may neglect—we are to be submissive!
Why are we to be submissive? Paul offers no less than two reasons—because Jesus is our Savior (5:23) and because He sanctified us (5:26-27). Everyone in their right minds would have no problem giving themselves over through submission when they realize what Jesus has done for them. Paul states a very important fact—Jesus is the Savior of the body, which we know already is the church (1:22-23). Thus, in his revelation of this mystery, Paul informs all readers of how important it is to be in the beautiful church of Christ—it is the only place wherein one may obtain salvation. Then, he goes on to describe this wonderful blessing—he “loved the church, and gave himself for it that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word” (5:25-26). He did this so “that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (5:27). Therefore, through the process of salvation and sanctification, Jesus has washed our sins through His blood (cf. 1:7), which takes place during the act of baptism in water (Acts 22:16). Coming up from the watery grave, we, as members of this “glorious church,” are now in a position where we are “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (cf. Rev. 21:2), in that Paul reveals us has “not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that [we] should be holy and without blemish” (5:27).
As we further contemplate what it means to be a part of this beautiful church that Christ came to establish for both Jews and Gentiles (cf. 2:11-22), we see the sustenance that Jesus offers to the church—“For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church” (5:29), then reminding that we are a part of His body (5:30). We cannot underscore enough the blessings associated with being a part of the beautiful church of Christ! As the apostle Paul begins this epistle, it is a privilege beyond that we deserve to have access to “all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (1:3), and a part of these blessings includes the fact that our Lord and Savior not only saves us, but He continues to sustain us with His great love. What a joy and blessing it is to be a part of the beautiful and glorious church of Christ!