 |
|
     |
|
|
|
What is the "great mystery" Paul identifies in Ephesians 5:32? Is it the relation of Christ and His church? The connection between Christ-church and man-wife?
In context, one particular dimension of Paul's teaching is perhaps especially in view. Verse 31 quotes from Gen 2:24, and most immediately the mystery is the application of Gen 2:24 to Christ and the church. That is, the mystery is that Christ has left His Father to cleave to His wife and become one flesh with her. The mystery is incarnation for the sake of union with the bride.
(This interpretation, of course, is weakened by the fact that verse 31 names "father and mother" - did the Son leave a mother?)
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Monday, May 21, 2007 at 04:03 PM
Permission is given to use material on this site, provided the source is cited, blog entries are republished in full, and the author is notified in advance.
1 & 2 Kings
Brazos Theological Commentary
The Promise Of His Appearing: An Exposition Of Second Peter
A Great Mystery: Fourteen Wedding Sermons
Deep Comedy: Trinity, Tragedy, And Hope In Western Literature
Miniatures & Morals: The Christian Novels of Jane Austen
The Priesthood of the Plebs: A Theology of Baptism
A Son To Me: An Exposition of 1 & 2 Samuel
From Silence to Song: The Davidic Liturgical Revolution
Ascent to Love: A Guide to Dante's Divine Comedy
Blessed Are the Hungry: Meditations on the Lord's Supper
A House For My Name: A Survey of the Old Testament
Heroes of the City of Man: A Christian Guide to Select Ancient Literature
Brightest Heaven of Invention: A Christian Guide To Six Shakespeare Plays
Wise Words: Family Stories That Bring the Proverbs to Life
The Kingdom and the Power: Rediscovering the Centrality of the Church
