“So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies”, the Apostle said. “He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones” (Ephesians 5, 28-30). What does he want to say through these words? He projects a more powerful image, a more vivid example. In the same time we brings us closer and more clearer another duty of us.

So that nobody will say that “He was God and this is why He sacrificed himself”, Paul taught us “So ought men”. Therefore, we are not speaking about a charisma but about a duty. After he said “as their own bodies” he added “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it.” And how is a woman part of your body? We read in Genesis that when Adam woke up and saw the woman created from his rib he said “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh!” (Genesis 2:23).

Thus, as our Lord loves the Church, meaning us, members and bones of His body – as we know it those of us who take part to the Holy Mysteries – man also needs to take care of his wife, because she is part of his own body.

(Trsanslation from Saint John Chrysostom, Problemele vieţii, Editura Egumeniţa, pp. 108-109)