December 13, 2021 — Ephesians 5:21–33  

“He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. 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. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” Ephesians 5:28–33 

When Paul says that husbands are to love their wives, the Greek word for Love he uses is “agape” — this kind of love is unconditional, sacrificial love and Biblically refers to a love that G-d is, the love that G-d shows, and the love that G-d enables in the children of G-d. 

It is not surprising that Greek literature throws little light on its distinctive NT meaning. Biblical agape love is the love of choice, the love of serving with humility, the highest kind of love — it is not a love that is superficial in appearance, has nothing to do with emotional attraction, and differs from sentimental relationship. Agape is not based on pleasant emotions or good feelings that might result from a physical attraction or a familial bond. Agape love is self-sacrificing love for the recipient.  

Agape love does not depend on the world’s criteria for love, such as attractiveness, emotions, or sentimentality. This is not agape love, but is a love based on impulse. Christians must understand that the type of love G-d has for all of creation is a sacrificial, unconditional love – it is the love G-d has for the world through Jesus.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, you showed your love for all of humanity on the cross: “for G-d so loved the world, G-d sent the Son…”. Help us to remember this love and to lead with this love in all our actions and interactions. Amen.

Pastor Dave