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I. THE CHURCH'S POLLUTED CONDITION WITHOUT CHRIST.

II. CHRIST'S LOVE TO THE CHURCH.

1. The antiquity of it (Jeremiah 31:3).

2. An active and operative love (Galatians 1:4).

3. A real and sincere love (Hosea 2:4).

4. An entire and undivided love (John 17:26).

5. A lasting and constant love (John 13:1).

III. THE EVIDENCES OF THIS LOVE.

1. He established and perfected the Church before God (1 Thessalonians 3:13).

2. By bringing her into a state of union with His person (1 Corinthians 6:15).

3. He thoroughly justifies her by His blood and His righteousness:

4. He animates her by the grace of His Holy Spirit.

5. His love constrainedly operates in her heart.

6. He does it by the instrumentality of His word.

7. The administrations of His appointed ministers.

8. In remarkable providences, at some times.

9. By painful afflictions at others.

10. But especially by His Spirit, in, and by all things.

IV. THE EFFECTS OF THIS WONDROUS LOVE.

1. Glorious from its nature and worth (Malachi 3:17).

2. Glorious from the estimation in which God holds her (Deuteronomy 32:9).

3. Glorious from her connection (John 17:22, 23).

4. Glorious, because she is free from spot, wrinkle, and the slightest mark of blemish.This appears from —

1. The wisdom which directs — Christ.

2. The righteousness which justifies — Christ's.

3. The perfection of her sanctification — Christ.

4. By her complete and eternal exemption from every charge of all her enemies, even by Christ.Inferences —

1. How completely this demolishes all ideas of human merit.

2. And secures to Jesus Christ all the glory of our salvation.

(T. B. Baker.)

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KJV: Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

WEB: Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it;