Publication at Catholic Theological Faculty |
2011
Abstract
Eph 5,21-33, a part of the "Household Rule", gives to the author of the Epistle an occasion to interpret the relationship between Christ and the Church in the metaphor of marriage. The general Christian ethical principle "to submit each other" (v. 21) is applied on the marriage in the Hellenistic society and brings into it the spirit of Christ.
The key function for interpretation of the text is found in the quotation Gen 2:24 and in the relational aspect of the concept of "flesh", especially in the Hebrew Bible ("basar). In this light the relationship Christ/Church and husband/wife is understood as an "asymmetrical reciprocity".