Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Ephesians 5:28

οὕτως. ‘Following this example.’ The sentence reads awkwardly because ὡς τὰ ἑαυτῶν σώματα introduces what seems to us an alien illustration of the claims of the wife on the husband, based on the unity involved in the marriage bond when seen in the light of its original institution in Genesis 2 (cf. Matthew 19:5 and Hort Chr. Ec. p. 150). It is true that this claim also is accepted and responded to by Christ in His relation to the Church. But it belongs to the period of wedded life and not to the time of espousal. So if καὶ before οἱ ἄνδρες were not genuine it would be simpler to connect οὕτως closely with ὡς τὰ ἑαυτῶν σώματα and let the sentence start quite abruptly. We must not, however, forget that the comparison started from the idea of the husband as ‘Head,’ implying that the wife may be regarded as his ‘Body ‘apart from the idea underlying Genesis 2. Just as the Church has already twice (Ephesians 1:23; Ephesians 4:15 f.) been described as ‘the Body’ of Christ her Head.

ὀφείλουσιν. Cf. Romans 13:8; 1 John 2:6; 1 John 3:16.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Ephesians 5:28

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