What does Ephesians 5:33 mean?

Ephesians 5:33 (KJV) reads: "Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband." It sits in Ephesians chapter 5, a piece of letter on the cosmic reach of the gospel from the New Testament, and is most often read as a verse about anniversary. The meaning sharpens when you read the verses immediately around it and notice how Ephesians as a whole is arguing its case.

What is the context of Ephesians 5:33 in Ephesians?

Ephesians 5:33 belongs to Ephesians 5, which fits inside Ephesians's wider message as letter on the cosmic reach of the gospel. Before applying the verse, read at least the paragraph it appears in so you can see who is speaking, who is being addressed, and what situation prompted the words.

Is Ephesians 5:33 from the Old or New Testament?

Ephesians 5:33 is from the New Testament — specifically the book of Ephesians, chapter 5. That matters because New Testament verses are written after the resurrection and speak directly into the life of the church under the new covenant.

What translation of Ephesians 5:33 is used here?

Every verse on Bible Sundays is quoted from the King James Version (KJV), the public-domain English translation first published in 1611. We use the KJV consistently so the wording you memorise on one page matches the wording on every other page of the site.

How can I memorise Ephesians 5:33?

Read Ephesians 5:33 aloud three times, write it out by hand once, then try to recite it from memory. Repeat morning and evening for a week. Pair it with the theme of anniversary so your mind has a natural retrieval cue. Reviewing on day 1, day 3, day 7 and day 30 locks it in for the long term.

How should I apply Ephesians 5:33 today?

Identify one specific situation in the next 24 hours — a conversation, a decision, a fear, a temptation around anniversary — where Ephesians 5:33 should change your response. Pray the verse back to God for that situation, then act on it. Application is what turns reading into obedience.

Anniversary Card Verse

Ephesians 5:33 for Anniversary Cards

A free, printable, share-ready KJV card verse. Pick a theme, download as a high-resolution image, or copy the text for handwritten cards.

For Anniversary

“Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”

Ephesians 5:33

King James Versionbiblesundays.com

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Why Ephesians 5:33 works for anniversary cards

Mutual love and respect — the foundation of anniversary celebrations.

"Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband."

Read Ephesians 5 (KJV) →

How to use this anniversary card

Pick a theme above that matches the recipient's taste — botanical for weddings and showers, midnight for solemn occasions, kraft for rustic.
Download the PNG at 1200×1500 — Pinterest-optimized and high enough resolution for printing on standard 5×7 cardstock.
Send digitally via text, email, or social, or print and pair with a handwritten note inside.
Reference the chapter — readers often want to look up the surrounding context. Tap the link above to read Ephesians 5 in the KJV.

More Anniversary card verses

1 Corinthians 13:7-8

"Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth."

Ecclesiastes 4:12

"And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

Song of Solomon 8:6

"Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death."

Proverbs 5:18

"Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth."

Colossians 3:14

"And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness."

Genesis 2:24

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."

1 Peter 4:8

"And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins."

Ruth 1:16

"Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."

See all 12 anniversary card verses →