Ephesians 5:32

“This mystery is great: but. speak in regard of Christ and of the church”

“This mystery is great”: “In this there is. profound truth” (TCNT). Apparently this expression applies to the Scripture just quoted (Genesis 2:24). “Through the Spirit's revelation, Paul is able to see and reveal. hidden purpose in the institution of the marriage relationship. God ordained the relationship as. preview of the fellowship to be shared by Christ and the church” (Boles p. 320). “That marriage is. type of Christ's relation to His church is. truth of profound importance. All Christians should understand and remember that marriage is hallowed by the fact that it is. symbol of the union of Christ with His church, and should regulate their conduct in accordance with their knowledge of. truth so sublime” (Erdman pp. 123-124). This is no longer. mystery. Paul is not saying, “There is something really profound here, but. won't go into it”. The "mystery" is not how men and women become "one flesh", for this chapter teaches how such an intimate and close relationship is possible (Ephesians 5:22-29). We also learn the "value" that God places on the church. “But”: “But. am speaking of something deeper still” (Phi). “I give it as. picture of” (Nor). My purpose is to direct your minds to the relationship between Christ and the church.

Certain applications need to be made, when we realize that Christians are "married" to Christ. If the church is the bride of Christ, then the church and the individual Christians which compose it must put God first, and place all relationships behind their relationship to Christ (Matthew 10:37; Luke 14:26).