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

Text: Ephesians 5:31

DEEP ROOTS

Paul once again drew from his knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures as he taught his readers about the married state. The idea of marriage may be traced all the way back to Adam and Eve (Cf. Genesis 2:24).

THE IDEA OF “ONE FLESH”

This concept may be understood better if we divide this idea into three parts.

1. The first set of ties

The first close ties a man may establish would be with his father and mother. The reasons are obvious:-

a) They gave him life.

b) They nurtured him.

c) Until he is able to fend for himself, he would be looked after by his parents.

2. The second set of ties- “A man shall leave his father and mother”

This is not to be seen as an unnatural state. This is the natural outgrowth of the first set of ties. If a man has learned his lessons well, he would have learned how to build and establish strong ties- with his mate in this instance.

a) There must be emotional maturity to effect leaving father and mother.

b) There must be the ability to sustain the new ties established with his spouse.

c) However, this text does not mean that there is total severance of care and concern for one’s parents. That would be a tragic and wrong interpretation of the text. A “new” set of ties will now be established between the married son and his parents.

3. The third set of ties- “And be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh”

a) This third set of ties will not occur immediately or automatically.

b) It will have to be carefully thought and cultivated.

c) It is possible to have such a strong and healthy relationship.

d) This is the lofty goal that husbands and wives must be committed to accomplishing.