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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 293

"For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones."

Text: Ephesians 5:30

THE CONCEPT BEHIND “OF HIS FLESH AND OF HIS BONES”

This is a most fascinating concept. The origin of this idea may be traced all the way back to the Book of Genesis. Let us take time to ponder the following text.

And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam,
And he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh
In its place.
Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made
Into a woman, and He brought her to the man.
And Adam said: ‘This is now bone of my bones
And flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.
GENESIS 2:21-23

SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS TEXT

In order to appreciate this text for all its worth, we need to consider the original context:-

1. The order of creation

The apostle noted the significance of the order of creation of Adam and then Eve.

Let a woman learn in silence with all submission.
For Adam was formed first, then Eve.
1 TIMOTHY 2:11, 13

In Paul’s understanding, the matter of submission was already an established truth. The very order of creation intimated this truth. God meant Man to be head of the family.

2. Appreciation of Woman as Wife – “Of His flesh and of His bones”

However, Paul also believed that the husband must appreciate his wife as God meant him to.

a) There must be a sense of appreciation of God’s hand in this act of creation.
b) There must be a sense of wonder and awe at this new creation.
c) There must also be a sense of recognition as to the intrinsic worth of the woman.
d) There must be the good regard for the woman, for she was made of the same material as man.

APPLICATION OF THIS CONCEPT WITH REFERENCE TO THE CHURCH

The amazing thing is to see how Paul applied this concept to the relationship of the Church to the Lord Jesus Christ! The church is indeed the Bride of Christ (Cf. Revelation 21:9; 22:17).