EPHESIANS 5:32-33 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Great Mystery; primarily that which is known to the mustes, the initiated" (from mueo, "to initiate into the mysteries;" cp. Philippians 4:12, mueomai, "I have learned the secret," RV). In the NT it denotes, not the mysterious (as with the Eng. word), but that which, being outside the range of unassisted natural apprehension, can be made known only by Divine revelation, and is made known in a manner and at a time appointed by God, and to those only who are illumined by His Spirit. In the ordinary sense a "mystery" implies knowledge withheld; its Scriptual significance is truth revealed. Hence the terms especially associated with the subject are "made known," "manifested," "revealed," "preached," "understand," "dispensation." The definition given above may be best illustrated by the following passage: "the mystery which hath been hid from all ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to His saints" (Colossians 1:26, RV). "It is used of: the Church, which is Christ's Body, i.e., the union of redeemed men with God in Christ. The Greek word here is μυστήριον mustērion. Vines (def c), Strong's G3466.
Verses mentioned in the prime definition: Philippians 4:12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Colossians 1:26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.
*NSB "The Mystery", a sacred secret revealed, is that Christian marriage parallels the union the exists spiritually between Christ and His Bride, the Church.
Moving to Verse 33.
Nevertheless; moreover (besides), i.e. albeit, save that, rather, yet. Vines (def 3) for the word "except or excepted". Strong's G4133. Dodson denotes: however, nevertheless however, nevertheless, but, except that, yet. Thayer denotes:
1) moreover, besides, but, nevertheless
2) besides, except, but
In Particular; each or every. Derivation: as if a superlative of ἕκας (afar); The Greek word for particular here is ἕκαστος hekastos. KJV Usage: any, both, each (one), every (man, one, woman), particularly.
She Respects Her Husband; "to fear," is used in the Passive Voice in the NT; in Ephesians 5:33 of reverential fear on the part of a wife for a husband, AV, "reverence". The KJV uses "reverence" which is φοβέω phobeo. Vine's (def A-2) Strong's G5399.
Cross Reference: 1 Peter 3:1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,.
1 Peter 3:6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.
Takeaways
1. A Christian marriage is meant to parallel Christ's relationship to the church. So the "reverence" or fear here, would be an ongoing state of not wanting to fall into a situation where the wife is not submitting to her husband, just as both the wife and the husband or any Christian should fear falling out of submission to God. I am certainly open to other commentary here.
2. The husband as stated in earlier verses should be treating his wife in such a way that she wants to submit to his leadership because he is following God, loving her in a nourishing and cherishing way. As my last study pointed out, the husband is supposed to be loving his wife in such a way that he is giving himself up for her.
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