For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
For. Grant that a man's wife is himself (Ephesians 5:28), he is sure to love her, "For no man," etc.
His own flesh (Ephesians 5:31, end) - for "body:" in allusion to Genesis 2:23.
Nourisheth, [ektrephei] - 'nourisheth it up;' namely, to maturity. Referring to internal sustenance: "cherisheth" х thalpei (G2282)], to clothing and external fostering. Two grounds of love of husbands to wives are mentioned:
(1) Love to one's self, and so to one's wife, who is one's self;
(2) Following Christ's love to the Church (1 Thessalonians 2:7).
The Lord. 'Aleph (') A B Delta f g, Vulgate, read 'Christ.' Exodus 21:10 prescribes three duties to the husband. Two (food and raiment) are alluded to spiritually by "nourisheth and cherisheth;" the third, "duty of marriage," is omitted in consonance with the holy propriety of Scripture: its antitype is, "know the Lord" (Hosea 2:19-20).