Ephesians 5:31

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.”^[a]

Ephesians 5:31 in Other Translations

31 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.

31 "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."

31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”

31 And this is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife. No longer two, they become "one flesh."

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

Ephesians 5:31 Meaning and Commentary

Ephesians 5:31

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother,
&c.] These words contain the law of marriage, and are cited from ( Genesis 2:24 ) ; and declare what ought to be, and are a prophecy of what should be; and are observed against polygamy, and to stir up mutual affection; (See Gill on Matthew 19:5).

Ephesians 5:31 In-Context

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.”

32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.

33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5; 1 Corinthians 6:16

Footnotes

• [a]. Gen. 2:24