Ephesians 5:25-32; 2 Corinthians 11:2

Greek Key Terms:

• G25 ἀγαπάω (agapaō) - "to love"
• G3860 παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi) - "to give over, hand over"
• G37 ἁγιάζω (hagiazō) - "to sanctify, make holy"
• G2511 καθαρίζω (katharizō) - "to cleanse, purify"
• G3067 λουτρόν (loutron) - "washing, bath"
• G3933 παρθένος (parthenos) - "virgin"
• G718 ἁρμόζω (harmozō) - "to betroth, join together"
• G3466 μυστήριον (mystērion) - "mystery"

Context: Paul uses the husband-wife relationship to expound Christ and the church. "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor" (Eph 5:25-27). He then quotes Genesis 2:24 ("the two shall become one flesh") and declares: "This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church" (v. 32). In 2 Corinthians 11:2, Paul says: "I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ."

OT-to-OT Development:

• Paul reads Genesis 2:24 as ultimately about Christ and the church—the first marriage pointed to this union all along.
• The betrothal language (2 Cor 11:2) echoes Hosea 2:19-20 and prophetic bride imagery.
• The "presenting" role of the apostle mirrors Abraham's servant presenting Rebekah to Isaac.

Connections:

• TO OT: Genesis 2:24 (one flesh—quoted), Genesis 24 (servant presents bride), Hosea 2:19-20 (betrothal language), Ezekiel 16:8-14 (YHWH adorns bride)
• FROM NT: Revelation 19:7-8 (bride made herself ready), Revelation 21:2, 9 (bride adorned for husband)
• PARALLEL: Colossians 1:22 (presented holy), Titus 2:14 (purify for Himself a people)

Christological Connection: Ephesians 5 and 2 Corinthians 11 are the fullest NT expositions of bridal Christology. (1) Self-Giving Love: "Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her" (Eph 5:25). Isaac received a bride; Christ purchased His bride with His blood. The bridegroom pays the ultimate brideprice. (2) Sanctifying and Cleansing: Christ sanctifies and cleanses His bride "by the washing of water with the word" (v. 26). This connects to baptism and ongoing purification through Scripture and Spirit. (3) Presenting in Splendor: The goal: "to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle" (v. 27). This echoes Rebekah adorned with jewels before meeting Isaac—but Christ Himself adorns His bride. (4) Apostolic Role: "I betrothed you to one husband" (2 Cor 11:2). Paul as servant/matchmaker echoes Abraham's servant. The preacher's role is to present the bride to Christ. (5) Genesis 2:24 Fulfilled: "This mystery is profound"—the original marriage pointed to the final marriage. Adam's words were unwitting prophecy. Every covenant wedding glimpsed Christ and the church.

Connection Method(s): Typology (Providential, Backward-Looking); Promise-Fulfillment; Longitudinal Theme — Paul reads Genesis 2:24 as ultimately about Christ and the church ("this mystery is profound"), fulfilling the bridal trajectory from Genesis through the prophets, and advancing the marriage longitudinal theme to its theological climax.

Trajectory Table: 127 - Rebekah (Bride Sought for the Son)