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Originally Posted by Nell
First, questions:
If the verses were properly translated, if woman was built from a "rib" from the side of the man, why does the verse say "of his flesh and of his bones"?
Why does it not it simply say "we are members of his body, of his bones"?
As you have noted, could there be a translation issue? Is it possible that there is more than one translation issue?
Nell
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It is an interesting passage in Ephesians, to be sure!
Some commentaries Below is a quote from one commentary from this page.
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Barnes' Notes on the Bible
For we are members of his body - Of the body of Christ; see 1 Corinthians 11:3, note; 1 Corinthians 12:27, note; John 15:1-6, notes, and Ephesians 1:23, note. The idea here is, that there is a close and intimate union between the Christian and the Saviour - a union so intimate that they may be spoken of as "one".
Of his flesh, and of his bones - There is an allusion here evidently to the language which Adam used respecting Eve. "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh;" Genesis 2:23. It is language which is employed to denote the closeness of the marriage relation, and which Paul applies to the connection between Christ and his people. Of course, it cannot be understood "literally." It is not true literally that our bones are a part of the bones of Christ, or our flesh of his flesh; nor should language ever be used that would imply a miraculous union. It is not a physical union, but a union of attachment; of feeling; of love. If we avoid the notion of a "physical" union, however, it is scarcely possible to use too strong language in describing the union of believers with the Lord Jesus.
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I've read that some of the oldest manuscripts don't have "of His flesh and of His bones," but it's also said that other reliable manuscripts include this phrase. Therefore some translations carry it while others don't. In any case, the whole passage in Ephesians 5 is portraying marriage, which is a picture of Christ & the church. This seems to hearken back to the first husband and wife, Adam & Eve. Eve was produced by something out of Adam.