Note 21 at Eph. 5:33: In the previous verse, Paul revealed that the real purpose of this teaching was not for married couples, but for each member of the body of Christ. He was drawing on the marriage relationship to actually teach on our union with Christ. Now he clarifies that this does not excuse anyone from following the things he said about marriage. These truths he spoke about marriage are true of our relationship with the Lord and with our mate.

The NIV translated this verse as, "However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."