He gave Himself up for her that “He might cleanse and sanctify her . . (v. 26).
So the Church was not pure. She had blemishes, she was ugly and cheap. Whatever kind of wife you marry, you will never take a bride like Christ did when He married the Church; you will never marry anyone estranged from you as the Church was from Christ. Despite all this, He did not abhor or hate her for her extraordinary corruption.
Do you want her corruption de scribed?
Paul says, “For once you were in darkness.”
Do you see how black she was?
Nothing is blacker than darkness. Think of her shamelessness; she passed her day in malice and envy, Paul says. Look at her impurity; she was foolish and disobedient. What am I saying?
She was foolish, her tongue was evil, but even though her wounds were so numerous, He sacrificed Himself for her in her corrupted state, as if she were in the bloom of youth, as if she were dearly beloved - John Chrysostom, Homily 20 on Ephesians 5:22-23#Patristics #Atonement #Soteriology
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Do not drink wine unto a state of drunkenness, and do not let drunkenness become your traveling companion. From your bread, give to him who is hungry, and from your clothing, give to the naked. If you have more than you need, do almsgiving, and do not let your eye envy the almsgiving when you do it. Spread out your bread on the grave of the righteous, but do not give it to sinners❤3🙏3