Ver. 29. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh , &c.] This is unnatural, contrary to the first principles of nature; (see Isaiah 58:7); which the f68 Jews understand of one that is near akin, and there is none nearer than a wife: but nourisheth and cherisheth it ; feeds and clothes it: even as the Lord the church ; who never hated her, but nourishes and cherishes her: Christ never hated his church and people; for his love is not only a love of benevolence, but of complacency and delight: there is a difference between anger and hatred, Christ may be angry with them, but not hate them; and there is a difference between persons and actions, Christ may hate their actions, but not their persons; and there is a difference between desert and fact, they may be deserving of his wrath and hatred, but are not the objects of it in fact; and there is a difference between what is real, and what is imaginary, they may imagine themselves to be hated by him, when they are not; and there is a difference between hatred, and a non-discovery of love, Christ may not manifest his love, and yet not hate; as he never does his own people, for his love is everlasting and unchangeable: and he nourishes them, as a father his child, as a shepherd his flock, and as an husband his wife; he feeds them with that which is nourishing, and with himself the bread of life, with his covenant and promises, with the Gospel and the doctrines of it, and with his love and grace; and by his Spirit, ministers, word, and ordinances: and he cherishes them, he grants them near and intimate communion with himself, than which nothing is more desirable by them, or joyful to them; nor is there anything that more revives and encourages faith, hope, and love; he clothes them suitable to their dignity and character, as his spouse and bride; and with which they are well contented, and in which they look exceeding comely in his sight: these phrases are expressive of the whole care Christ takes of his church, in furnishing her with everything pertaining to life and godliness; for her comfort and happiness in this world, and that to come: instead of the Lord, the Alexandrian copy, and some others, the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions read, Christ; and the Arabic version reads, as the Lordloves the church.
Verses 22-33 - The duty of wives is, submission to their husbands in the Lord, whic includes honouring and obeying them, from a principle of love to them The duty of husbands is to love their wives. The love of Christ to the church is an example, which is sincere, pure, and constant notwithstanding her failures. Christ gave himself for the church, tha he might sanctify it in this world, and glorify it in the next, that he might bestow on all his members a principle of holiness, and delive them from the guilt, the pollution, and the dominion of sin, by thos influences of the Holy Spirit, of which baptismal water was the outwar sign. The church and believers will not be without spot or wrinkle til they come to glory. But those only who are sanctified now, shall be glorified hereafter. The words of Adam, mentioned by the apostle, ar spoken literally of marriage; but they have also a hidden sense in them, relating to the union between Christ and his church. It was kind of type, as having resemblance. There will be failures and defect on both sides, in the present state of human nature, yet this does no alter the relation. All the duties of marriage are included in unit and love. And while we adore and rejoice in the condescendinglove of Christ, let husbands and wiveslearn hence their duties to each other Thus the worst evils would be prevented, and many painful effects woul be avoided __________________________________________________________________
