Ephesians 5:29

After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church—
(NIV)

Never in scripture are we commanded to love ourselves. We are often times, like in this verse, reminded of the fact that we do love ourselves. In fact, we are born as lovers of self. Any parent could attest to that fact. There has yet to be a baby born that will consider the feelings of others. It just doesn't happen.


In the previous few verses of this chapter, we are told that husbands are to love their wives "in the same way" as Christ does the church. This isn't enough explanation for some men. Some men need something a little bit more detailed, so Paul explains it in a way that any man would understand: Love your wives the way you would love your own body. Nobody hates themselves, not really. (People who say that, are really just struggling with a completely self-centered view of the world.) So men, Love your wives the way you love yourself.

This sounds very similar to Christ's command to "Love your neighbor as yourself." That command is attached to and intertwined with the command to Love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

You know how to take care of yourself, just turn that care around and aim it at your wife. Use Christ's example, but also use your understanding of your own self to determine how to love.