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For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.[a] 27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. 28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. 29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. 30 And we are members of his body. --- Ephesians 5:25-30 V25-30 - Paul devotes twice as many words to telling husbands to love their wives as to telling wives to submit to their husbands. How should a man love his wife? (1) He should be willing to sacrifice everything for her, (2) make her well-being of primary importance, and (3) care for her as he cares for his own body. No wife needs to fear submitting to a man who treats her in this way. V26-27- Christ’s death makes the church holy and clean. He cleanses us from the old ways of sin and sets us apart for his special sacred service (Hebrews 10:20; 13:12). Christ cleansed the church by the washing of baptism. Through baptism we are prepared for entrance into the church just as ancient Near Eastern brides were prepared for marriage by a ceremonial bath. It is God’s Word that cleanses us (John 17:17; Titus 3:5). --- Life Application Study Bible notes (prayer for v25) PRAYER Dear Heavenly Father, Remind us of Jesus’ sacrificial love for us in our daily life - in our marriage and in any relationship with others. Remove our selfish sinful natures but help us to give up ourselves to love others. Restore us and refresh us with newness. Make us be holy and beautiful to Your eyes. I ask you to change everything in me that presents anything contrary to your perfect will. Help us to be of service and sacrifice to bring glory to Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen