Ephesians 5:26-27
that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse emphasizes that the "word" is not just an accessory to baptism but the very element that gives the water its purifying power. Without the proclaimed truth of the Gospel accompanying the water, it's just water; it's the divine promise and revelation conveyed by the word that makes the "washing" effective for sanctification.
Paul is explaining the profound analogy between Christ's love for the Church and a husband's love for his wife. He's just described Christ as the head of the Church, just as a husband is the head of his wife, and Christ gave himself up for the Church. This verse explains why Christ did that—to set her apart and make her pure.
Paul uses two powerful words here: 'sanctify' and 'cleanse.' What’s the difference, and why use both?
A Two-Step Purification
Christ's work in making the church holy isn't a single event but a process with two key aspects:
Together, they paint a complete picture: Christ first removes the stains of sin and then dedicates the now-pure church to Himself.
The verse mentions 'the washing of water with the word.' What makes this baptismal washing so powerful?
More Than Just Water
The 'washing of water' clearly points to baptism, a visible sign of Christ's cleansing work. But Paul doesn't stop there. He adds 'by the word' (en rhēmati).
As one commentator puts it, 'Take away the word, and what is the water but water?' The Word of God, proclaimed and believed, infuses the water with spiritual power. It's the divine truth accompanying the rite that signifies and seals the cleansing and sanctification Christ accomplishes.
Understand the original words
hagiazō · Greek Verb
To set apart for a holy purpose or to make holy. In a theological sense, it refers to the process by which God the Holy Spirit progressively conforms believers to the image of Christ.
hagios · Greek Adjective
The state of being morally pure or set apart for God's use. Holiness is the essential attribute of God, and His people are called to participate in this purity through Christ.
ekklēsia · Greek Noun
A gathered assembly of believers who belong to Christ. It refers to both the local congregation and the universal body of all who have been redeemed by Him.
amōmos · Greek Adjective
A state of being completely free from moral defect or stain. In the context of the church, it signifies the perfection achieved through Christ's sacrifice, rendering the believer acceptable before God.
The imagery of Christ cleansing the Church connects to ancient marriage customs and prophetic descriptions of purity, highlighting baptism and God's Word as the means of preparing believers for Christ.
c. 1400 BC
Ancient Marriage Customs
In ancient Near Eastern cultures, elaborate rituals prepared brides for marriage, sometimes involving extensive purification periods up to a year, using oils and perfumes.
c. 900 BC - 500 BC
Prophetic Descriptions of Jerusalem's Purity
Prophets like Ezekiel described God's desire to purify and adorn Jerusalem, likening the city to a bride prepared for her husband.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Christ's death and resurrection are the foundational events through which believers are redeemed and initiated into a new covenant.
c. AD 30-50
Early Spread of the Gospel and Baptism
The early church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, began preaching the gospel and administering baptism as a sign of repentance and cleansing.
c. AD 62
This verse directly connects Jesus' words to His disciples' cleansing, mirroring how 'the word' in Ephesians 5:26 is linked to spiritual purification.
1 Corinthians 6:11This passage lists washing, sanctification, and justification in a similar order, highlighting the comprehensive work of Christ in making believers holy, much like Ephesians 5:26.
Titus 3:5This verse speaks of 'the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,' echoing the 'washing of water with the word' in Ephesians 5:26 and emphasizing baptism's role.
Romans 10:17This verse states that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ, illustrating the instrumental power of God's Word in bringing about spiritual transformation, which is key to the cleansing described in Ephesians 5:26.
Ezekiel 16:4-14This prophetic passage vividly describes Jerusalem's purification and adornment as a bride, providing an Old Testament backdrop to the imagery of Christ cleansing and preparing the Church as His bride in Ephesians 5:26.
vincentEphesians 5:26: "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,"
Sanctify and cleanse (ἁγιάσῃ καθαρίσας)Rev., might sanctify, having cleansed. The Rev. brings out the proper succession of sanctification as a consequence of cleansing: might sanctify after having cleansed.With the washing of water (τῷ λουτρῷ τοῦ ὕδατος)Λουτρόν washing is properly laver. Note the article, the laver, as something well known. There is no satisfactory evidence for the meaning…
barnesEphesians 5:26: "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,"
That he might sanctify - The great object of the Redeemer was to purify and save the church. The meaning here is, that a husband is to manifest similar love toward his wife, and a similar desire that she should be prepared to "walk before him in white". And cleanse it with the washing of water - In all this there is an allusion doubtless to the various methods of purifying and cleansing those who were…
The verse emphasizes that the "word" is not just an accessory to baptism but the very element that gives the water its purifying power. Without the proclaimed truth of the Gospel accompanying the water, it's just water; it's the divine promise and revelation conveyed by the word that makes the "washing" effective for sanctification.
Paul is explaining the profound analogy between Christ's love for the Church and a husband's love for his wife. He's just described Christ as the head of the Church, just as a husband is the head of his wife, and Christ gave himself up for the Church. This verse explains why Christ did that—to set her apart and make her pure.
Paul is explaining the profound analogy between Christ's love for the Church and a husband's love for his wife. He's just described Christ as the head of the Church, just as a husband is the head of his wife, and Christ gave himself up for the Church. This verse explains Christ did that—to set her apart and make her pure.
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Paul Writes Ephesians
The Apostle Paul, likely while imprisoned, penned his letter to the Ephesians, providing instruction on Christian living and the nature of the Church.
"that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish." — The verse emphasizes that the "word" is not just an accessory to baptism but the very element that gives the water its purifying power. Without the proclaimed truth of the Gospel accompanying the wat…
