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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 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ephesians/5-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/49_Eph_05_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ephesians 5:23 - Wives and Husbands" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior." /><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'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ephesians/5-23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ephesians/5-23.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ephesians/">Ephesians</a> > <a href="/ephesians/5.htm">Chapter 5</a> > Verse 23</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ephesians/5-22.htm" title="Ephesians 5:22">◄</a> Ephesians 5:23 <a href="/ephesians/5-24.htm" title="Ephesians 5:24">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/ephesians/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/ephesians/5.htm">New International Version</a> For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. <a href="/nlt/ephesians/5.htm">New Living Translation</a> For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. <a href="/esv/ephesians/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. <a href="/bsb/ephesians/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. <a href="/blb/ephesians/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> for the husband is head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church, He Himself Savior of the body. <a href="/kjv/ephesians/5.htm">King James Bible</a> For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. <a href="/nkjv/ephesians/5.htm">New King James Version</a> For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. <a href="/nasb_/ephesians/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. <a href="/nasb/ephesians/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. <a href="/nasb77/ephesians/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. <a href="/lsb/ephesians/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. <a href="/amp/ephesians/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> For the husband is head of the wife, as Christ is head of the church, Himself being the Savior of the body. <a href="/csb/ephesians/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> because the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of the body. <a href="/hcsb/ephesians/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> for the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of the body. <a href="/asv/ephesians/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body. <a href="/cev/ephesians/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> A husband is the head of his wife, as Christ is the head and the Savior of the church, which is his own body. <a href="/erv/ephesians/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body. <a href="/gwt/ephesians/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. It is his body, and he is its Savior. <a href="/gnt/ephesians/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> For a husband has authority over his wife just as Christ has authority over the church; and Christ is himself the Savior of the church, his body. <a href="/isv/ephesians/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> For the husband is the head of his wife as the Messiah is the head of the church. It is he who is the Savior of the body. <a href="/msb/ephesians/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. <a href="/net/ephesians/5.htm">NET Bible</a> because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church--he himself being the savior of the body. <a href="/nheb/ephesians/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For the husband is the head of the wife, and Christ also is the head of the church, being himself the savior of the body. <a href="/wbt/ephesians/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the Savior of the body. <a href="/wey/ephesians/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> because a husband is the Head of his wife as Christ also is the Head of the Church, being indeed the Saviour of this His Body. <a href="/web/ephesians/5.htm">World English Bible</a> For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ephesians/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> because the husband is head of the wife, as also the Christ [is] head of the Assembly, and He is Savior of the body, <a href="/blb/ephesians/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> for the husband is head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church, He Himself Savior of the body. <a href="/ylt/ephesians/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> because the husband is head of the wife, as also the Christ is head of the assembly, and he is saviour of the body, <a href="/slt/ephesians/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For the husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ephesians/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Because the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church. He is the saviour of his body. <a href="/cpdv/ephesians/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the Church. He is the Savior of his body. <a href="/nabre/ephesians/5.htm">New American Bible</a> For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church, he himself the savior of the body. <a href="/nrsvce/ephesians/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For the husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the church, the body of which he is the Savior.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ephesians/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of its body. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/ephesians/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Because the man is the head of the woman just as The Messiah is also The Head of the church and he is The Savior of the body.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/ephesians/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> for the husband is the head of the wife, as the Christ also is the head of the church; and he is the savior of the body. <a href="/godbey/ephesians/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> because the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is also the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body. <a href="/haweis/ephesians/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For the husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ is the head of the church; and is himself the saviour of the body. <a href="/mace/ephesians/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a> for the husband presides over his wife, as Christ presides over the church: and he it is that preserves the whole body. <a href="/wey/ephesians/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> because a husband is the Head of his wife as Christ also is the Head of the Church, being indeed the Saviour of this His Body. <a href="/worrell/ephesians/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> because a husband is head of the wife, as Christ also is Head of the assembly; Himself the Savior of the body. <a href="/worsley/ephesians/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> for the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and the saviour of that body. <a href="/parallel/ephesians/5-23.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=984" 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> 22Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23<a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">For</a> <a href="/greek/435.htm" title="435: anēr (N-NMS) -- A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.">the husband</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/2776.htm" title="2776: kephalē (N-NFS) -- From the primary kapto; the head, literally or figuratively.">the head</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/1135.htm" title="1135: gynaikos (N-GFS) -- 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. "></a> <a href="/greek/5613.htm" title="5613: hōs (Adv) -- Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.">as</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5547.htm" title="5547: Christos (N-NMS) -- Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.">Christ</a> <a href="/greek/2776.htm" title="2776: kephalē (N-NFS) -- From the primary kapto; the head, literally or figuratively.">is the head</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/1577.htm" title="1577: ekklēsias (N-GFS) -- From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, i.e. a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation.">church,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GNS) -- 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/4983.htm" title="4983: sōmatos (N-GNS) -- Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.">body,</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autos (PPro-NM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">of which He</a> <a href="/greek/4990.htm" title="4990: sōtēr (N-NMS) -- A savior, deliverer, preserver. From sozo; a deliverer, i.e. God or Christ.">is the Savior.</a> 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.…<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="/colossians/1-18.htm">Colossians 1:18</a> And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence. <a href="/1_corinthians/11-3.htm">1 Corinthians 11:3</a> But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. <a href="/colossians/3-18.htm">Colossians 3:18</a> Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. <a href="/1_peter/3-1.htm">1 Peter 3:1</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 <a href="/genesis/3-16.htm">Genesis 3:16</a> To the woman He said: “I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” <a href="/1_corinthians/15-27.htm">1 Corinthians 15:27-28</a> For “God has put everything under His feet.” Now when it says that everything has been put under Him, this clearly does not include the One who put everything under Him. / And when all things have been subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will be made subject to Him who put all things under Him, so that God may be all in all. <a href="/1_timothy/2-11.htm">1 Timothy 2:11-13</a> A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. / I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet. / For Adam was formed first, and then Eve. <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/28-18.htm">Matthew 28:18</a> Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. <a href="/philippians/2-9.htm">Philippians 2:9-11</a> Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, / that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. <a href="/1_corinthians/12-27.htm">1 Corinthians 12:27</a> Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it. <a href="/romans/12-4.htm">Romans 12:4-5</a> Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, / so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another. <a href="/1_corinthians/6-15.htm">1 Corinthians 6:15</a> Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! <a href="/john/3-29.htm">John 3:29</a> The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom stands and listens for him, and is overjoyed to hear the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. <a href="/isaiah/54-5.htm">Isaiah 54:5</a> For your husband is your Maker—the LORD of Hosts is His name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.husband.<a href="/1_corinthians/11-3.htm">1 Corinthians 11:3-10</a> But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God… even.<a href="/ephesians/1-22.htm">Ephesians 1:22,23</a> And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, … <a href="/ephesians/4-15.htm">Ephesians 4:15</a> But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:<a href="/colossians/1-18.htm">Colossians 1:18</a> And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.he.<a href="/ephesians/5-25.htm">Ephesians 5:25,26</a> Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; … <a href="/acts/20-28.htm">Acts 20:28</a> Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.<a href="/1_thessalonians/1-10.htm">1 Thessalonians 1:10</a> And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ephesians/3-21.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-16.htm">Body</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-21.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-12.htm">Church</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-15.htm">Head</a> <a href="/galatians/4-27.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-21.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/acts/13-23.htm">Savior</a> <a href="/acts/13-47.htm">Saviour</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-5.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ephesians/5-24.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-29.htm">Body</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-24.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-24.htm">Church</a> <a href="/colossians/1-18.htm">Head</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-33.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/philippians/1-15.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/philippians/3-20.htm">Savior</a> <a href="/philippians/3-20.htm">Saviour</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-28.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 the husband is the head of the wife This phrase establishes a hierarchical structure within the marriage relationship, reflecting the order seen in creation (<a href="/genesis/2-18.htm">Genesis 2:18-24</a>). The concept of "head" implies leadership and responsibility rather than domination. In the cultural context of the first century, the husband was typically the provider and protector, roles that align with the biblical understanding of headship. This mirrors the order seen in <a href="/1_corinthians/11-3.htm">1 Corinthians 11:3</a>, where Paul states that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God, indicating a divine order and purpose.as Christ is the head of the church Here, the relationship between husband and wife is compared to that of Christ and the church. Christ's headship over the church is characterized by love, sacrifice, and service, as seen in His earthly ministry and ultimate sacrifice on the cross (<a href="/philippians/2-5.htm">Philippians 2:5-8</a>). This sets a standard for husbands to emulate in their leadership. The church, as the body of Christ, submits to His authority, which is exercised with love and for the church's benefit (<a href="/colossians/1-18.htm">Colossians 1:18</a>).His body The church is often referred to as the body of Christ, emphasizing unity and diversity within the community of believers (<a href="/1_corinthians/12-12.htm">1 Corinthians 12:12-27</a>). This metaphor highlights the intimate and organic connection between Christ and the church, where Christ is the source of life and growth. The imagery of the body also suggests interdependence and the importance of each member functioning according to their God-given role.of which He is the Savior Christ's role as Savior underscores His sacrificial love and redemptive work on behalf of the church. This is a central theme in the New Testament, where Jesus' death and resurrection provide salvation and reconciliation with God (<a href="/romans/5-8.htm">Romans 5:8-10</a>). The husband's role, therefore, is to reflect this self-giving love, prioritizing the well-being and spiritual growth of his wife, as Christ does for the church. This connection is further explored in <a href="/ephesians/5-25.htm">Ephesians 5:25-27</a>, where husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.<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/ephesians.htm">Ephesians</a> The recipients of the letter, a Christian community in Ephesus, a major city in Asia Minor. 3. <a href="/topical/h/husband.htm">Husband</a> Represents the male partner in a marital relationship, given a role of leadership within the family. 4. <a href="/topical/w/wife.htm">Wife</a> Represents the female partner in a marital relationship, called to submit to her husband's leadership. 5. <a href="/topical/c/christ.htm">Christ</a> The head of the church, serving as the ultimate example of leadership and sacrificial love.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_headship.htm">Understanding Headship</a> The concept of headship in marriage is not about dominance but about responsibility and sacrificial love, mirroring Christ's relationship with the church. <a href="/topical/r/role_of_the_husband.htm">Role of the Husband</a> Husbands are called to lead with love, humility, and selflessness, prioritizing the well-being of their wives and families. <a href="/topical/r/role_of_the_wife.htm">Role of the Wife</a> Wives are encouraged to respect and support their husbands' leadership, fostering a partnership that reflects mutual love and respect. <a href="/topical/c/christ_as_the_model.htm">Christ as the Model</a> Christ's example of leadership is characterized by service and sacrifice, setting the standard for how husbands should lead their families. <a href="/topical/u/unity_in_marriage.htm">Unity in Marriage</a> The marital relationship should reflect the unity and love between Christ and the church, striving for harmony and mutual edification.<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/what_defines_ecclesiasticism.htm">What defines the Global Church?</a> <a href="/q/husband_and_wife_roles.htm">What are the roles of husband and wife?</a> <a href="/q/bible's_view_on_spiritual_covering.htm">What does the Bible say about spiritual covering?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_the_global_church.htm">What defines the Global Church?</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>(23) For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church.--It is instructive to compare this with the partly similar passage in <a href="/1_corinthians/11-3.htm" title="But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.">1Corinthians 11:3</a>. There "the head of the woman is the man," as here; but "the head of every man (individually) is Christ," considered in His human nature; and finally, "the Head of Christ," as the Son of Man, "is God." There, accordingly, "headship" is simple lordship; the woman is subject to the man, the man is subject to Christ alone; Christ as the Son is subject to the Father. Here, on the other hand, we note, first, that in accordance with the general idea of the Epistle, the headship of Christ over the Church at large takes the place of His headship over the individual; next, that from the idea of His headship so conceived is derived the further idea of a spiritual unity, involving self-sacrifice in the head, as well as obedience to the head; and, lastly, that since the very idea of unity in Christ is unity with God, there is nothing to correspond to the third clause in the former Epistle.(23, 24) And he is the saviour of the body. Therefore . . .--The words "and" and "is" are wrongly inserted, and the word "therefore" is absolutely an error, evading the difficulty of the passage. It should be, He Himself being the Saviour of the Body. But . . . This clause, in which the words "He Himself" are emphatic, notes (as if in order to guard against too literal acceptation of the comparison) that "Christ" (and He alone) is not only Head, but "Saviour of the Body," i.e., "of His body the Church," not only teaching and ruling it, but by His unity infusing into it the new life of justification and sanctification. Here no husband can be like Him, and therefore none can claim the absolute dependence of faith which is His of right. Accordingly St. Paul adds the word "But." Though "this is so," yet "still let the wives," &c.As the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.--The subjection of the Church of Christ is a free subjection, arising out of faith in His absolute wisdom and goodness, and of love for His unspeakable love. Hence we gather (1) that the subordination of the wife is not that of the slave, by. compulsion and fear, but one which arises from and preserves freedom; next (2), that it can exist, or at any rate can endure, only on condition of superior wisdom and goodness and love in the husband; thirdly (3), that while it is like the higher subordination in kind, it cannot be equally perfect in degree--while it is real "in everything," it can be absolute in nothing. The antitype is, as usual, greater than the type.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ephesians/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 23. - For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the Head of the Church. The woman was made for the man (<a href="/genesis/2-18.htm">Genesis 2:18</a>; <a href="/1_timothy/2-13.htm">1 Timothy 2:13</a>), showing the Divine purpose that the man should be the head and center of the household, and that the position of the wife, as wife, should be one of subordination. Parallel to this arrangement is the relation of Christ to the Church. In words, at least, all admit the headship of Christ, and the subordination of the Church to him. The Christian household, on a much lower level, should exemplify the same relation. Being himself savior of the body. This is not said by way of contrast, but still by way of parallel. The very saviorship of Christ should find an analogy in the Christian husband. The husband should be the ever-vigilant and self-denying protector, guardian, deliverer, of his family, though his saving power can never come near the high level of Christ's A husband reckless of these obligations virtually ceases to have any claim on the subjection of the wife and the family. The very comparison of the husband to the Savior implies that, while there is a certain analogy, there is a still greater contrast. This is implied in the first word of the following verse. Between the lines we read this thought: "Not that the parallel between Christ's saving function and the husband's extends to the highest things." <a href="/commentaries/ephesians/5-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>For ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. [the] husband ἀνήρ (anēr) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_435.htm">Strong's 435: </a> A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <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. head κεφαλὴ (kephalē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2776.htm">Strong's 2776: </a> From the primary kapto; the head, literally or figuratively. of the τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine 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. wife, γυναικὸς (gynaikos) Noun - Genitive 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. just καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. as ὡς (hōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5613.htm">Strong's 5613: </a> Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner. Christ Χριστὸς (Christos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5547.htm">Strong's 5547: </a> Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. [is the] head κεφαλὴ (kephalē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2776.htm">Strong's 2776: </a> From the primary kapto; the head, literally or figuratively. of the τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine 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. church, ἐκκλησίας (ekklēsias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1577.htm">Strong's 1577: </a> From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, i.e. a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation. [His] τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Neuter 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. body, σώματος (sōmatos) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4983.htm">Strong's 4983: </a> Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively. [of which] He αὐτὸς (autos) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 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. [is the] Savior. σωτὴρ (sōtēr) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4990.htm">Strong's 4990: </a> A savior, deliverer, preserver. From sozo; a deliverer, i.e. God or Christ. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ephesians/5-23.htm">Ephesians 5:23 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ephesians/5-23.htm">Ephesians 5:23 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ephesians/5-23.htm">Ephesians 5:23 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ephesians/5-23.htm">Ephesians 5:23 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ephesians/5-23.htm">Ephesians 5:23 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ephesians/5-23.htm">Ephesians 5:23 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ephesians/5-23.htm">Ephesians 5:23 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ephesians/5-23.htm">Ephesians 5:23 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ephesians/5-23.htm">Ephesians 5:23 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ephesians/5-23.htm">Ephesians 5:23 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-23.htm">NT Letters: Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head (Ephes. Eph. 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