Ephesians 5:29

29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—

Ephesians 5:29 in Other Translations

29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,

29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church.

29 No one abuses his own body, does he? No, he feeds and pampers it. That's how Christ treats us, the church,

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

29 No one ever hated his own body. Instead, he feeds and takes care of it, as Christ takes care of the church.

29 For no one ever hates his own flesh, but provides and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church,

29 After all, people have never hated their own bodies. Instead, they feed and care for their bodies. And that is what Christ does for the church.

Ephesians 5:29 Meaning and Commentary

Ephesians 5:29

For no man ever yet hated his own flesh
This is unnatural, contrary to the first principles of nature; see ( Isaiah 58:7 ) ; which the ^F21 Jews understand of one that is near akin, and there is none nearer than a wife:

but nourisheth and cherisheth it;
feeds and clothes it:

even as the Lord the church;
who never hated her, but nourishes and cherishes her: Christ never hated his church and people; for his love is not only a love of benevolence, but of complacency and delight: there is a difference between anger and hatred, Christ may be angry with them, but not hate them; and there is a difference between persons and actions, Christ may hate their actions, but not their persons; and there is a difference between desert and fact, they may be deserving of his wrath and hatred, but are not the objects of it in fact; and there is a difference between what is real, and what is imaginary, they may imagine themselves to be hated by him, when they are not; and there is a difference between hatred, and a non-discovery of love, Christ may not manifest his love, and yet not hate; as he never does his own people, for his love is everlasting and unchangeable: and he "nourishes" them, as a father his child, as a shepherd his flock, and as an husband his wife; he feeds them with that which is nourishing, and with himself the bread of life, with his covenant and promises, with the Gospel and the doctrines of it, and with his love and grace; and by his Spirit, ministers, word, and ordinances: and he "cherishes" them, he grants them near and intimate communion with himself, than which nothing is more desirable by them, or joyful to them; nor is there anything that more revives and encourages faith, hope, and love; he clothes them suitable to their dignity and character, as his spouse and bride; and with which they are well contented, and in which they look exceeding comely in his sight: these phrases are expressive of the whole care Christ takes of his church, in furnishing her with everything pertaining to life and godliness; for her comfort and happiness in this world, and that to come: instead of the Lord, the Alexandrian copy, and some others, the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions read, Christ; and the Arabic version reads, "as the Lord loves the church".

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FOOTNOTES:

F21 Jarchi in loc. & R. Sol. Urbin. in Ohel Moed, fol. 85. 1.

Ephesians 5:29 In-Context

27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—

30 for we are members of his body.

31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”