Husbands, Love Your Wives as Christ Loved
Paul grounds the husband's love not in feelings but in Christ, who gave himself up for the church to make her holy. Marriage becomes a living picture of that mystery, and each spouse acts toward the other in its light.
Ephesians 5:22–33: Marriage and Grace
Paul does not ground marriage in cultural custom but in the gospel. Husbands are called to love as Christ loved and gave himself up, and wives to a respectful submission modeled on the church's response to Christ, so that marriage displays a mystery larger than itself.
Ephesians 5:25–33: Husbands Love as Christ Loved
Husbands are told to love their wives the way Christ loved the church, giving himself up for it. That love is purposeful, aimed at her good and holiness, and it pictures the gospel before it secures any outcome.