Ephesians 5:33

Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Ephesian congregation, concluding his marital instructions immediately after explaining how the husband-wife union mirrors Christ and the church.

The words — The Greek term πλὴν (plēn) translates literally as "however" or "nevertheless," functioning as a direct transition from theological explanation to practical command. The word ἕκαστος (hekastos) means "each" or "every one," specifying that the directive applies individually to every reader rather than collectively.

The thread — The text commands wives to respect their husbands, a requirement paralleled by the call for a reverent demeanor in 1 Peter 3:2 and the royal decree for all women to honor their husbands in Esther 1:20. This instruction immediately follows the command for wives to submit to their husbands in Ephesians 5:22 and is grounded in the Christ-church mystery declared in Ephesians 5:32.

Why it lands — The passage explicitly requires husbands to love their wives with the same self-regard they naturally maintain, while simultaneously requiring wives to show respect to their husbands. It demands immediate, reciprocal action from both parties rather than abstract agreement.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.