“For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:”
After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church — the principle: oudeis gar pot tēn heautou sarka ebasen ('nobody ever hated their own flesh'), alla ektrephō ('but nourishes') kai thalpō ('and cherishes') autēn ('it'), kathos kai ho Christos tēn ekklēsiān ('as Christ also the church'), Christ's care for the body of believers.
Church Fathers on Ephesians 5:29
“For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it.” That is, tends it with exceeding care. And how is she his flesh? Hearken; “This now is bone of my bones,” says Adam, “and flesh of my flesh.” Genesis 2:23 For she is made of matter taken from us. And not only so, but also, “they shall be,” says God, “one flesh.” Genesis 2:24 “Even as Christ also the Church.” Here he returns to the former example. “Because we are members of His body, of His flesh and of…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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