This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Parallel translations
- WEB This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and of the assembly.
- BSB This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church.
- NKJV This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
- NASB This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.
- NLT This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The one-flesh mystery of marriage ultimately speaks of Christ and the church. Human marriage points to a greater union.
Overview
Paul reveals that the 'great mystery' of Genesis 2:24 finds its deepest meaning in 'Christ and the assembly.' Marriage is designed to picture the saving union between Christ and his people. This elevates marriage and shows that its highest purpose is to display the gospel relationship between the Savior and the church.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- 2 Cor 11:2For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
- Rev 21:2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
- Isa 54:5For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
- Rev 19:7–8Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
- Col 2:2That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
- Isa 62:4–5Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.
- 1 Tim 3:16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
- John 3:29He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
- Song 1:1–8The song of songs, which is Solomon’s.
- Ps 45:9–17Kings’ daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.
- Eph 6:19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
- 1 Tim 3:8Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
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Christ at the center
Every spiritual blessing is 'in Christ,' the head over all things for the church, in whom Jew and Gentile are made one new man by his blood.
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Original language
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