Ephesians 5:31

Authorized King James Version

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Word-by-Word Analysis

ἀντὶ

G473

For

opposite, i.e., instead or because of (rarely in addition to)

τούτου

G5127

this cause

of (from or concerning) this (person or thing)

καταλείψει

G2641

leave

to leave down, i.e., behind; by implication, to abandon, have remaining

ἄνθρωπος

G444

a man

man-faced, i.e., a human being

τὸν

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατέρα

G3962

father

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

αὐτοῦ

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὴν

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#10

μητέρα

G3384

mother

a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)

#11

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#12

προσκολληθήσεται

G4347

shall be joined

to glue to, i.e., (figuratively) to adhere

#13

πρὸς

G4314

unto

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

#14

τὴν

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#15

γυναῖκα

G1135

wife

a woman; specially, a wife

#16

αὐτοῦ

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

#17

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#18

ἔσονται

G2071

shall be

will be

#19

οἱ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#20

δύο

G1417

they two

"two"

#21

εἰς

G1519

one

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

#22

σάρκα

G4561

flesh

flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or

#23

μίαν

G1520

one

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

Related Resources

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Topics

Salvation