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The Spiritual Marriage between Christ and His Church and Every One of the Faithful
Developing from Girolama Zanchi's exegetical labors through Ephesians, Spiritual Marriage draws readers into the rich theological of doctrine of union with Christ. Following the lead of the apostle Paul, Zanchi demonstrates how our earthly marriages fulfill their truest purpose by drawing our attention toward the spiritual marriage between Christ and His Church. By paying attention to the Genesis account of Adam's marriage to Eve, to pertinent Old Testament laws, and to the teachings of Jesus and His apostles, we begin to understand something of that higher and heavenly union. This new translation helps us better understand the great mystery of Christ and His bride.
Table of
Girolamo Zanchi (1516-1590) and Spiritual Marriage
The Spiritual Marriage between Christ and His Church and Every One of the Faithful
Dedicatory Epistle
Introduction
1. The Creation of Eve and Her Marriage to Adam
2. The Doctrine of Carnal Marriage
3. The Doctrine of Spiritual Marriage
4. The Final Causes of the Spiritual Union
5. The Duties of the Husband and of the Wife
Table of
Girolamo Zanchi (1516-1590) and Spiritual Marriage
The Spiritual Marriage between Christ and His Church and Every One of the Faithful
Dedicatory Epistle
Introduction
1. The Creation of Eve and Her Marriage to Adam
2. The Doctrine of Carnal Marriage
3. The Doctrine of Spiritual Marriage
4. The Final Causes of the Spiritual Union
5. The Duties of the Husband and of the Wife
- GenresTheology
152 pages, Hardcover
Published November 18, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 1, 2026
Great book on our spiritual union with Christ. The last chapter on the application in biblical marriages is worth the price of the book.
October 26, 2026
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader. If you like this post, you might like others on that site. Consider checking it out!
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WHAT'S SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE ABOUT?
This is an excurses from Zanchi's commentary on the book of Ephesians, the only part published during his life (the Translator's introduction suggests there's no known reason why this was the part he published). In it, Zanchi sets out to explain the benefits of salvation in Christ through the idea of spiritual marriage.
He does this, primarily, by looking at what Genesis 2 teaches about human marriage (he uses the term "carnal," without any negative connotations, merely to distinguish from "spiritual") and then applies that to the marriage between Christ and his Church. And then makes a few applications to human marriage from that, too. But his overwhelming concern is not human marriage—seeming to hold that Western culture has the essence of that down (while noting some areas it could be improved), but that Christians are missing out on the idea of the Spiritual Marriage.
He also uses this to address some problematic Protestant ideas (and one or two Roman Catholic notions)—primarily those of Gnesio-Lutherans (unnamed in the text itself, but the Introduction will prepare the reader to see it).
ZANCHI'S METHOD
First off, this is written in a series of theses—not all of which are that thoroughly worked out. But they're given enough that you don't need him to turn every 2-5 sentence paragraph into several paragraphs (although there are more than enough theses that do get a multi-paragraph explanation).
Secondly, Zanchi is incredibly Aristotelian in his approach—both in language and the way he breaks down each topic.
The book covers the topic like this:
Chapter One: The Creation of Eve and Her Marriage to Adam
Chapter Two: The Doctrine of Carnal Marriage
Chapter Three: The Doctrine of Spiritual Marriage
Chapter Four: The Final Causes of the Spiritual Union
Chapter Five: The Duties of the Husband and of the Wife
The final chapter being a mix of applications for the believer in relation to the Church as well as to their own spouse.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE?
I expected this to be a thornier work than it is, expecting to spend a couple of weeks on it, rather than one long afternoon. The use of thesis rather than intricate arguments help with that. But also, Zanchi isn't going for intricate—he has his points to make and he does so. This doesn't mean he avoids subtlety, or small ideas—he just deals with them in a direct manner.
The Translator's Introduction says that Zanchi wasn't an original thinker—you get no new ideas here. Several that I've read before (even without the patristic sources he looks to)—and that's nice. I'm not saying some original thought would've been out of place, but just encapsulating a lot of thought into an easily digestible book is just as valuable sometimes.
I really appreciated the way he made his argument and explained things—some of the language about spousal relations and duties may be off-putting to contemporary readers, but in the historical context of the work—and the Christ-like nature of husbands that he assumes/calls for, it shouldn't.
This isn't a work that will shake anyone's understanding of anything—but I do think his use of the Spiritual Marriage between Christ and His Church will be helpful to understand the nature of salvation and the benefits from it. At least it should serve to refresh one's understanding and see it in a fresh light.
It's a helpful work, and a good introduction to a Reformer I've seen referenced plenty but had never read before.
---
WHAT'S SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE ABOUT?
This is an excurses from Zanchi's commentary on the book of Ephesians, the only part published during his life (the Translator's introduction suggests there's no known reason why this was the part he published). In it, Zanchi sets out to explain the benefits of salvation in Christ through the idea of spiritual marriage.
Whatever is conveyed in various passages of Holy Scripture concerning the church’s origin and her spiritual marriage with the Son of God, the apostle deduces, explains, and confirms from the first creation of humankind, as from a fountain of the mysteries of Christ, when, in the epistle to the Ephesians, chapter 5, he says, “Husbands, love your wives even as Christ loved the church” [v. 25], and so forth.
He does this, primarily, by looking at what Genesis 2 teaches about human marriage (he uses the term "carnal," without any negative connotations, merely to distinguish from "spiritual") and then applies that to the marriage between Christ and his Church. And then makes a few applications to human marriage from that, too. But his overwhelming concern is not human marriage—seeming to hold that Western culture has the essence of that down (while noting some areas it could be improved), but that Christians are missing out on the idea of the Spiritual Marriage.
He also uses this to address some problematic Protestant ideas (and one or two Roman Catholic notions)—primarily those of Gnesio-Lutherans (unnamed in the text itself, but the Introduction will prepare the reader to see it).
ZANCHI'S METHOD
First off, this is written in a series of theses—not all of which are that thoroughly worked out. But they're given enough that you don't need him to turn every 2-5 sentence paragraph into several paragraphs (although there are more than enough theses that do get a multi-paragraph explanation).
Secondly, Zanchi is incredibly Aristotelian in his approach—both in language and the way he breaks down each topic.
The book covers the topic like this:
Chapter One: The Creation of Eve and Her Marriage to Adam
Chapter Two: The Doctrine of Carnal Marriage
Chapter Three: The Doctrine of Spiritual Marriage
Chapter Four: The Final Causes of the Spiritual Union
Chapter Five: The Duties of the Husband and of the Wife
The final chapter being a mix of applications for the believer in relation to the Church as well as to their own spouse.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE?
I expected this to be a thornier work than it is, expecting to spend a couple of weeks on it, rather than one long afternoon. The use of thesis rather than intricate arguments help with that. But also, Zanchi isn't going for intricate—he has his points to make and he does so. This doesn't mean he avoids subtlety, or small ideas—he just deals with them in a direct manner.
The Translator's Introduction says that Zanchi wasn't an original thinker—you get no new ideas here. Several that I've read before (even without the patristic sources he looks to)—and that's nice. I'm not saying some original thought would've been out of place, but just encapsulating a lot of thought into an easily digestible book is just as valuable sometimes.
I really appreciated the way he made his argument and explained things—some of the language about spousal relations and duties may be off-putting to contemporary readers, but in the historical context of the work—and the Christ-like nature of husbands that he assumes/calls for, it shouldn't.
This isn't a work that will shake anyone's understanding of anything—but I do think his use of the Spiritual Marriage between Christ and His Church will be helpful to understand the nature of salvation and the benefits from it. At least it should serve to refresh one's understanding and see it in a fresh light.
It's a helpful work, and a good introduction to a Reformer I've seen referenced plenty but had never read before.
February 3, 2023
I don't generally struggle to pick up a book and read it - even if it's not my favorite topic or author. However, this one took forever to read as I just generally picked something else up. The style of the author was quite frustrating. The translation was very stiff (I'm guessing). But more than that, Zanchi had no issue typing up literally everything in the Bible. I am very hesitant to call something a type that the Bible doesn't. He was on the other end of that spectrum.
There were also some statements that were confusing at best...heretical at worst.
I just cannot recommend this book. I'm not even sure I could say I'm glad I read it.
There were also some statements that were confusing at best...heretical at worst.
I just cannot recommend this book. I'm not even sure I could say I'm glad I read it.
February 27, 2025
This book explores the theological details of union with Christ. In part (the large third chapter) it is a critique of some Lutheran notions of the so-called ubiquity of the body of Christ. A short book, but as it was written in the late 16th century, and follows the scholastic style of the times, it is not an easy read. Recommended for those with a taste for the period and the topic.
November 13, 2026
I only left a 4.75 due to some poor wording across the book, though where wording was poor the teaching was still given clearly. This is perhaps the best book I’ve ever read on Communion. Zanchi is incredible, sadly an often forgotten reformer. I particularly love he often he pulls from the Fathers as a second defense, especially that of Cyril. Take up and read!
November 4, 2022
Good theological foundation for reflection on Christ’s union with His Church and that union’s reflection in our marriages. I just found it dry at times, but this should have been expected. The biographical introduction was helpful and interesting. The translation was very readable and accessible.
July 29, 2025
A beautiful treatment of our union with Christ and how that is expressed in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Also serves as a great introduction to Reformed Scholasticism!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews