EPHESIANS 5:21-33 - THE MYSTERY OF MARRIAGE

INTRODUCTION:

Webster defines mystery as follows:

1 - Something unexplained, unknown, or kept secret; as, the mystery of life

2 - Anything or event so obscure as to excite curiosity

3 - The quality of being inexplicable

4 - In theology, any assumed truth that cannot be comprehended by the human mind but must be accepted on faith.

In the New Testament the word mystery appears 22 times in 22 verses in the KJV. The mystery of the Kingdom of God, The mystery of God's relationship with Israel, the mystery of God's relationship with the church, the mystery of the gospel, the mystery of the resurrection, and the mystery of marriage.

In verse 32 the word mystery is - musterion, moos-tay'-ree-on; from a der. of  muo (to shut the mouth); a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites):--mystery.

Marriage excites curiosity and yet in many ways remains unexplained. It can be obscure or it can be the most intimate things we can experience in this life that two people can actually be one flesh (sarkoa) means one flesh or one body. It is a mystery but God somehow supernaturally make two people one in their covenant of marriage. It is a mystery that is supposed to grow together as long as life lasts but it remains a mystery and must be accepted and built upon trust or faith.

Illustration:

An elderly couple went to the doctor and the man had a through examination. He had fatigue and symptoms of not eating properly and was mal-nourished. After a long time the doctor came out with the man and told his wife there is nothing really wrong with him except he needs more affection and attention. The doctor said if you don't build him up and make him feel really special he could die.

On the way home, the man who could not hear well asked his wife what the doctor said. She didn't answer him at first but since he couldn't hear well he got loud and said what did the doctor say? She being upset that he was hollowing at her told him that the doctor said he is going to die.

V21 - DIVINE SUBMISSION

A - SUBMIT - Means to subordinate to one another but in reverence to God

V22-24 - DIVINE ORDER

V23 - HEAD - kephale, kef-al-ay'; prob. from the prim.  kapto (in the sense of seizing); the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), lit. or fig.:--head.

V23 - SAVIOR - soter, so-tare'; from; a deliverer, i.e. God or Christ:--saviour.

V24 - SUBJECT - hupotasso, hoop-ot-as'-so; from; to subordinate; reflex. to obey:--be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto.

V25-27 DIVINE OBEDIENCE

V25 - LOVE - agapao, ag-ap-ah'-o; perh. from  agan; to love (in a social or moral sense)

V25 - GAVE - paradidomi, par-ad-id'-o-mee; to surrender, i.e. yield up, intrust, transmit:--betray, bring forth, deliver

V26 - SANCTIFY - 37. hagiazo, hag-ee-ad'-zo; from G40; to make holy, i.e. (cer.) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate:--hallow, be holy, sanctify.

V26 - CLEANSE - 2511. katharizo, kath-ar-id'-zo; from G2513; to cleanse (lit. or fig.):--(make) clean (-se), purge, purify.

V26 - WASHING - 3067. loutron, loo-tron'; from G3068; a bath, i.e. (fig.) baptism:--washing.

V26 - WATER - 5204. hudor, hoo'-dore; gen.  hudatos, hoo'-dat-os; etc.; from the base of G5205; water (as if rainy) lit. or fig.:--water.

V27 - PRESENT - 3936. paristemi, par-is'-tay-mee; to stand beside, i.e. (trans.) to exhibit, proffer, (spec.) recommend, (fig.) substantiate; or (intrans.) to be at hand (or ready), aid:--assist, bring before, command, commend, give presently, present, prove, provide, shew, stand (before, by, here, up, with), yield.

V28-30 - DIVINE PROVISION

The man is to provide for his wife as he provides for his body. The body the man is responsible for is the natural body but as the husband is responsible for the wife God is responsible for the husband and family.

V31-33 - DIVINE MYSTERY

V31 - Man is to leave his home and make a home for his wife - they shall be one flesh or body

V32 - great mystery - God's involvement is a secret yet manifest through marriage unity

V33 - back to divine submission

CONCLUSION:

Rev 19:4  And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.

Rev 19:5  And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.

Rev 19:6  And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

Rev 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Rev 19:9  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.