Ephesians 5:32 – As to Christ and as to the ecclesia

This secret is great: yet I am saying this as to Christ and as to the ecclesia.

What Paul points out here is that Eve is a type of the ecclesia. The idea is not that the ecclesia is awaiting the wedding as a bride, where Christ will become her husband. The bridal idea is indeed biblical, but applies to Israel, not to the ecclesia. Israel will be married as a bride in the future (Hos. 2:18). And the Messianic kingdom on earth will be like a wedding, with the nations as wedding guests. But the ecclesia is not a bride and she is not one of the guests either. The ecclesia is in an infinitely more intimate relationship with Christ. The ecclesia is the body of the Bridegroom!

The unity and fellowship between Christ and the ecclesia isn’t something for the future, but is already a reality. Eve is the only wife in Scripture who has never been a bride. She already lived in community with Adam before she was there. She was always “flesh of his flesh”. And that is why Eve is such an excellent type of the ecclesia. Loved by Christ, “the last Adam” – and being part of his body!

Delen: