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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ephesians 5:31 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ephesians/5-31.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/49_Eph_05_31.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ephesians 5:31 - Wives and Husbands" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. <a href="/lsb/ephesians/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. <a href="/amp/ephesians/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND HIS MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED [and be faithfully devoted] TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. <a href="/csb/ephesians/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. <a href="/hcsb/ephesians/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. <a href="/asv/ephesians/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh. <a href="/cev/ephesians/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> As the Scriptures say, "A man leaves his father and mother to get married, and he becomes like one person with his wife." <a href="/erv/ephesians/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the twain shall become one flesh. <a href="/gwt/ephesians/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> That's why a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will be one. <a href="/gnt/ephesians/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> As the scripture says, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and unite with his wife, and the two will become one." <a href="/isv/ephesians/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> "That is why a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh." <a href="/msb/ephesians/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.? <a href="/net/ephesians/5.htm">NET Bible</a> For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. <a href="/nheb/ephesians/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." <a href="/wbt/ephesians/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. <a href="/wey/ephesians/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "For this reason a man is to leave his father and his mother and be united to his wife, and the two shall be as one." <a href="/web/ephesians/5.htm">World English Bible</a> “For this cause a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife. Then the two will become one flesh.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ephesians/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> “For this cause will a man leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife, and the two will be into one flesh”; <a href="/blb/ephesians/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> "Because of this, a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will be into one flesh." <a href="/ylt/ephesians/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'for this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and they shall be -- the two -- for one flesh;' <a href="/slt/ephesians/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For this a man shall leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ephesians/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they shall be two in one flesh. <a href="/cpdv/ephesians/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> “For this reason, a man shall leave behind his father and mother, and he shall cling to his wife; and the two shall be as one flesh.” <a href="/nabre/ephesians/5.htm">New American Bible</a> “For this reason a man shall leave [his] father and [his] mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” <a href="/nrsvce/ephesians/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ephesians/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For this reason shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/ephesians/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Therefore, a man should leave his father and his mother and should cleave to his wife, and the two of them shall be one flesh.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/ephesians/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh. <a href="/godbey/ephesians/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> on account of this a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave unto his wife: and they two shall be one flesh. <a href="/haweis/ephesians/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For this reason shall a man forsake his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and the two shall be as one flesh. <a href="/mace/ephesians/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a> the scripture says, "for this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be united to his wife, and they two shall be as one." <a href="/wey/ephesians/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "For this reason a man is to leave his father and his mother and be united to his wife, and the two shall be as one." <a href="/worrell/ephesians/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> For this cause, will a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh. <a href="/worsley/ephesians/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. <a href="/parallel/ephesians/5-31.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AfeSHen3sAQ?start=1046" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/ephesians/5.htm">Wives and Husbands</a> …30For we are members of His body. 31<a href="/greek/473.htm" title="473: Anti (Prep) -- A primary particle; opposite, i.e. Instead or because of.">“For this reason</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: toutou (DPro-GNS) -- This; he, she, it. "></a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpos (N-NMS) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">a man</a> <a href="/greek/2641.htm" title="2641: kataleipsei (V-FIA-3S) -- From kata and leipo; to leave down, i.e. Behind; by implication, to abandon, have remaining.">will leave</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">his</a> <a href="/greek/3962.htm" title="3962: patera (N-AMS) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">father</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3384.htm" title="3384: mētera (N-AFS) -- A mother. Apparently a primary word; a mother.">mother</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/4347.htm" title="4347: proskollēthēsetai (V-FIP-3S) -- From pros and kollao; to glue to, i.e. to adhere.">be united</a> <a href="/greek/4314.htm" title="4314: pros (Prep) -- To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.">to</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1135.htm" title="1135: gynaika (N-AFS) -- A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.">wife,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1417.htm" title="1417: dyo (Adj-NMP) -- Two. A primary numeral; two.">two</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: esontai (V-FIM-3P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">will become</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases."></a> <a href="/greek/1520.htm" title="1520: mian (Adj-AFS) -- One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.">one</a> <a href="/greek/4561.htm" title="4561: sarka (N-AFS) -- Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred. ">flesh.”</a> 32This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a> For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. <a href="/matthew/19-5.htm">Matthew 19:5</a> and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? <a href="/mark/10-7.htm">Mark 10:7-8</a> ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, / and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. <a href="/1_corinthians/6-16.htm">1 Corinthians 6:16</a> Or don’t you know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” <a href="/1_corinthians/7-10.htm">1 Corinthians 7:10-11</a> To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. / But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. <a href="/hebrews/13-4.htm">Hebrews 13:4</a> Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. <a href="/colossians/3-18.htm">Colossians 3:18-19</a> Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. / Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. <a href="/1_peter/3-1.htm">1 Peter 3:1-7</a> Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives / when they see your pure and reverent demeanor. / Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, ... <a href="/1_timothy/5-14.htm">1 Timothy 5:14</a> So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander. <a href="/1_corinthians/11-11.htm">1 Corinthians 11:11-12</a> In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. / For just as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God. <a href="/malachi/2-14.htm">Malachi 2:14-16</a> Yet you ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have broken faith, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. / Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. / “For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith. <a href="/proverbs/18-22.htm">Proverbs 18:22</a> He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. <a href="/proverbs/19-14.htm">Proverbs 19:14</a> Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD. <a href="/songs/6-3.htm">Song of Solomon 6:3</a> I belong to my beloved and he belongs to me; he pastures his flock among the lilies. <a href="/songs/8-6.htm">Song of Solomon 8:6-7</a> Set me as a seal over your heart, as a seal upon your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as unrelenting as Sheol. Its sparks are fiery flames, the fiercest blaze of all. / Mighty waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If a man were to give all the wealth of his house for love, his offer would be utterly scorned.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.<a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a> Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.<a href="/matthew/19-5.htm">Matthew 19:5</a> And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?<a href="/mark/10-7.htm">Mark 10:7,8</a> For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ephesians/3-14.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/romans/12-9.htm">Cleave</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-30.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-16.htm">Joined</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-27.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/galatians/4-26.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-17.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-22.htm">United</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-28.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/philippians/1-12.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Cleave</a> <a href="/ephesians/6-5.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/philippians/2-2.htm">Joined</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-8.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/ephesians/6-2.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/ephesians/6-13.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/philippians/2-2.htm">United</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-33.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Ephesians 5</div>1. <a href="/ephesians/5-1.htm">After general exhortations to love;</a> 3. <a href="/ephesians/5-3.htm">to flee sexual immorality;</a> 4. <a href="/ephesians/5-4.htm">and all uncleanness;</a> 7. <a href="/ephesians/5-7.htm">not to converse with the wicked;</a> 15. <a href="/ephesians/5-15.htm">to walk carefully;</a> 18. <a href="/ephesians/5-18.htm">and to be filled with the Spirit;</a> 22. <a href="/ephesians/5-22.htm">he descends to the particular duties, how wives ought to obey their husbands;</a> 25. <a href="/ephesians/5-25.htm">and husbands ought to love their wives,</a> 32. <a href="/ephesians/5-32.htm">even as Christ does his church.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ephesians/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ephesians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ephesians/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>For this reason This phrase refers back to the preceding context where Paul discusses the relationship between Christ and the Church. It echoes <a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a>, establishing the divine origin of marriage. The "reason" is rooted in God's design for unity and partnership, reflecting the spiritual union between Christ and believers.a man will leave his father and mother In ancient Jewish culture, family ties were strong, and leaving one's parents signified a significant shift in loyalty and responsibility. This departure underscores the establishment of a new, primary family unit. It also highlights the importance of prioritizing the marital relationship over previous familial bonds, a principle that transcends cultural boundaries.and be united to his wife The term "united" implies a deep, covenantal bond, not merely a physical or emotional connection. This unity is a lifelong commitment, reflecting the covenant relationship God has with His people. The Hebrew word for "united" in Genesis is "dabaq," which conveys the idea of clinging or adhering firmly, emphasizing the permanence and exclusivity of marriage.and the two will become one flesh This phrase signifies the complete union of husband and wife, encompassing physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. It points to the mystery of marriage as a reflection of the unity between Christ and the Church. The concept of "one flesh" also has implications for sexual ethics, underscoring the sanctity and exclusivity of the marital relationship. This unity is a type of the mystical union believers have with Christ, as seen in passages like <a href="/john/17-21.htm">John 17:21-23</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of the letter to the Ephesians, providing guidance and teaching to the early Christian church. 2. <a href="/topical/e/ephesus.htm">Ephesus</a> A major city in Asia Minor where the Ephesian church was located, known for its diverse culture and religious practices. 3. <a href="/topical/a/adam_and_eve.htm">Adam and Eve</a> The first man and woman, whose union is referenced in this verse, originally found in Genesis. 4. <a href="/topical/m/marriage.htm">Marriage</a> The institution being discussed, symbolizing the union between a man and a woman. 5. <a href="/topical/c/christ_and_the_church.htm">Christ and the Church</a> The ultimate example of unity and love, which marriage is meant to reflect.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_divine_design_of_marriage.htm">The Divine Design of Marriage</a> Marriage is instituted by God as a sacred union, reflecting His design and purpose for human relationships. <a href="/topical/l/leaving_and_cleaving.htm">Leaving and Cleaving</a> The call to leave one's parents signifies the establishment of a new, primary family unit, emphasizing commitment and independence. <a href="/topical/u/unity_in_marriage.htm">Unity in Marriage</a> Becoming "one flesh" signifies a deep, holistic union that encompasses physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. <a href="/topical/r/reflecting_christ_and_the_church.htm">Reflecting Christ and the Church</a> Christian marriages are called to mirror the love, sacrifice, and unity between Christ and His Church. <a href="/topical/c/commitment_and_covenant.htm">Commitment and Covenant</a> Marriage is a covenantal relationship that requires ongoing commitment, love, and mutual respect.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ephesians_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ephesians 5</a> <a href="/q/bible's_view_on_marrying_addicts.htm">What does the Bible say about marrying a drug addict?</a> <a href="/q/can_christians_marry_non-virgins.htm">Can a Christian marry someone who isn't a virgin?</a> <a href="/q/does_eph._5_31_align_with_marriage_customs.htm">Ephesians 5:31: Does quoting Genesis 2:24 align with or contradict anthropological evidence on diverse marriage customs? </a> <a href="/q/should_christians_marry_non-christians.htm">Is it advisable for Christians to marry non-Christians?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ephesians/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(31) For this cause.--In spite of much authority, it seems far simpler to consider the words "Even as the Lord . . . His bones" as parenthetical, and refer back to <a href="/context/ephesians/5-28.htm" title="So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife loves himself.">Ephesians 5:28-29</a>. In exactly the same way our Lord quotes the same verse of Genesis (<a href="/genesis/2-24.htm" title="Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall join to his wife: and they shall be one flesh.">Genesis 2:24</a>) to show the indissoluble character of the marriage tie. Here the similarity of connection with that of the original passage is even stronger. Because a man's wife is as his own body, "for this cause shall a man," &c. To connect these words with those going before is indeed possible, but somewhat too mystical even for this passage.Shall a man leave his father . . .--The relation of parentage is one of common flesh and blood, and stands at the head of those natural relations which we do not make, but into which we are born. The relation of marriage is the most sacred of all the ties into which we are not born, and which we do make for ourselves, in accordance with a true or supposed harmony of nature. It becomes, says Holy Scripture, a relation, not of common flesh and blood, but of "one flesh." Itself originally voluntary, it supersedes all natural ties. Our Lord therefore adds, "They are no more twain, but one flesh. What God hath joined together let not man put asunder" (<a href="/matthew/19-6.htm" title="Why they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.">Matthew 19:6</a>). Hence it strikingly represents that unity with Christ--voluntarily initiated by Him, voluntarily accepted by us--which yet so supersedes all natural ties that it is said to oblige a man to "hate his father and mother . . . and his own life also" (<a href="/luke/14-26.htm" title="If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.">Luke 14:26</a>).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ephesians/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 31. - For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they two shall come to be one flesh. Quoted in substance from <a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a>. It seems to be introduced simply to show the closeness of the relation between man and wife; it is such as in a sense to supersede that between parent and child. The apostle (as appears from the next verse) has in view, at the same time, the parallel truth - the closeness of the relation between Christ and the Church; it too in a sense supersedes the relations of nature (comp. <a href="/luke/14-26.htm">Luke 14:26</a>; <a href="/matthew/12-50.htm">Matthew 12:50</a>). <a href="/commentaries/ephesians/5-31.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>“For this reason Ἀντὶ (Anti) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_473.htm">Strong's 473: </a> A primary particle; opposite, i.e. Instead or because of. a man ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. will leave καταλείψει (kataleipsei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2641.htm">Strong's 2641: </a> From kata and leipo; to leave down, i.e. Behind; by implication, to abandon, have remaining. his τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. father πατέρα (patera) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. mother μητέρα (mētera) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3384.htm">Strong's 3384: </a> A mother. Apparently a primary word; a 'mother'. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. be united προσκολληθήσεται (proskollēthēsetai) Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4347.htm">Strong's 4347: </a> From pros and kollao; to glue to, i.e. to adhere. to πρὸς (pros) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4314.htm">Strong's 4314: </a> To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. wife, γυναῖκα (gynaika) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1135.htm">Strong's 1135: </a> A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. the οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. two δύο (dyo) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1417.htm">Strong's 1417: </a> Two. A primary numeral; 'two'. will become ἔσονται (esontai) Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. one μίαν (mian) Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1520.htm">Strong's 1520: </a> One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one. flesh.” σάρκα (sarka) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4561.htm">Strong's 4561: </a> Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ephesians/5-31.htm">Ephesians 5:31 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ephesians/5-31.htm">Ephesians 5:31 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ephesians/5-31.htm">Ephesians 5:31 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ephesians/5-31.htm">Ephesians 5:31 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ephesians/5-31.htm">Ephesians 5:31 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ephesians/5-31.htm">Ephesians 5:31 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ephesians/5-31.htm">Ephesians 5:31 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ephesians/5-31.htm">Ephesians 5:31 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ephesians/5-31.htm">Ephesians 5:31 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ephesians/5-31.htm">Ephesians 5:31 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-31.htm">NT Letters: Ephesians 5:31 For this cause a man will leave (Ephes. Eph. 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